The official residence of Canada’s prime minister, 24 Sussex Drive stands in Ottawa’s New Edinburgh neighbourhood as a symbol of national leadership—though it has remained vacant since 2015.
At a glance
A Victorian-era mansion built for merchant Joseph Merrill Currier, 24 Sussex Drive served as the prime minister’s home for over six decades. Its counterpart, Harrington Lake estate in Gatineau Park, offers an alternative official residence. The building’s long vacancy raises questions about its future role in Canadian public life.
History
Joseph Merrill Currier commissioned the house between 1866 and 1868, during Canada’s early years as a nation. The residence remained in private hands until the federal government designated it as the official prime ministerial home in 1951. It served this function continuously until 2015, when it ceased to be used as a residence.
What you see
The house reflects Victorian architectural sensibilities of the 1860s. Its location in New Edinburgh, an established neighbourhood north of downtown Ottawa, places it among other heritage properties of the era.
Cultural significance
As the designated official residence of the prime minister for more than sixty years, 24 Sussex Drive held symbolic weight in Canadian governance and national identity. Its extended closure has prompted debate about heritage preservation and the use of official state residences.
Key facts
- Country: Canada
- City: Ottawa
- Coordinates: 45.44°N, 75.69°W
- Built: 1866–1868
- Builder: Joseph Merrill Currier
- Official prime ministerial residence: 1951–2015
Practical information & getting there
24 Sussex Drive is located in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood of Ottawa. As a private official residence, it is not open to public tours. The property remains under federal ownership.
Sources & resources
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