‘A national dilemma’: Heritage group makes pitch to save 24 Sussex

24 Sussex Drive / Photo: NCC

Saturday, September 9, 2023

IPOLITICS, by Davis Legree

A coalition of architects, heritage experts, and local stakeholders is making a plea to save the beleaguered 24 Sussex Drive, the traditional residence of Canada’s prime ministers.

“This is a dilemma of national proportions,” said Mark Denhez, the president of Historic Ottawa Development Inc. (HODI), a non-profit that has been reviewing the building.

“Our first point is that Canadians have seen no evidence that a new build would cost a nickel less than a fix-up.”

Denhez and his colleagues take issue with a 2021 estimate from the National Capital Commission (NCC) that suggested a comprehensive renovation of the house would cost $36.6 million.

“I have a question for my fellow taxpayers in Canada — in what alternate universe is it going to be cheaper for us to… build a new residence … maintain two public buildings and…end up renovating 24 Sussex for a new tenant,” asked Ken Grafton, HODI’s project director for 24 Sussex. “This is new age post-truth math and it’s just pure nonsense.”

Grafton said it was ridiculous to think renovating a 12,000 square foot house should cost nearly $40 million.

“I would ask you… to imagine renovating your 2,500 square foot home and spending $9 million renovating your house, what could you possibly spend that money on?” Grafton asked during a press conference on Friday.

Twenty-four Sussex has gone uninhabited since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office in 2015, when he opted to live in Rideau Cottage, on the grounds of Rideau Hall, rather than his childhood home. Prior to Trudeau’s election, 24 Sussex was the primary residence of every prime minister from Louis St. Laurent, who lived there in the 1950s, to Stephen Harper.

“There’s no specific legislation to protect the heritage of 24 Sussex,” said Christina Cameron, a heritage expert. “Though the formal heritage character statement, which is technically approved by the minister for Parks Canada, highlights its role as a symbolic and visual landmark.”

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