Rideau Hall Building Adaptation Project

Rideau Hall, one of Canada’s most important historic sites, has served as the official residence and workplace of every governor general since 1867. The main building has 175 rooms, covering about 8,825 square metres. The grounds encompass some 32 hectares and 25 secondary buildings as well as a rose garden, rockeries, cricket lawns and stands of ceremonial trees.

Designated as a Classified heritage building, it is the country’s largest official residence with an estate that includes the historic residence itself, administrative offices, expansive grounds, and several additional heritage buildings.

Rideau Hall is the only official residence open to the public.

In June 2021, we released the NCC’s Official Residences of Canada: Asset Portfolio Condition Report. This document details the investment needed to restore Canada’s official residences to good condition.

The report indicates that Rideau Hall is in fair condition and requires significant rehabilitation work and repairs to restore it to good condition. This project is part of the rehabilitation work needed to address deferred maintenance and improve accessibility, sustainability and functionality of the Official Residences portfolio.

About the project

This project is a major investment in the long-term resilience and sustainability of Rideau Hall, one of Canada’s most important institutions.

The work includes the replacement of the Administration Wing, critical envelope work on the Minto Wing and an expansion of the geothermal system. Together, these investments will address critical maintenance needs and aging building systems, improve accessibility and functionality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The project will also improve how Rideau Hall functions as an Official Residence. It will allow the Governor General’s staff, including the Chancellery, to be consolidated at Rideau Hall, while enhancing accessibility and circulation and allowing for targeted investment in the residential area.

Rendering of the future Rideau Hall Adaptation Project building. The image shows a new two-storey addition with a light stone exterior, connected to the existing Rideau Hall complex and surrounded by landscaped greenery.

Rendering of the interior office space in the future administrative building, featuring an open-concept workspace with desks, workstations, and natural wood finishes.

Scope

Specifically, this project will include:

abatement and demolition of the existing Administration Wing;
construction of a new Administration Wing that is certified Zero Carbon, incorporating a green roof and improving accessibility of the building;
connection of the new Administration Wing and the Minto Wing to the existing geothermal system;
abatement and rehabilitation of the Minto Wing exterior building envelope (cladding, masonry, and windows), along with associated interior renovation works.

The project is set to start at the end of September 2026 and will be completed in 2028. The projected budget is $30 million funded with additional appropriations for the rehabilitation of Canada’s Official Residences announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement.