Rideau Cottage

Rideau Cottage is a historic Georgian Revival–style residence on the grounds of Rideau Hall in Ottawa, owned by the Canadian Crown. The two-story, 22-room house was built between 1866 and 1867 to plans by the architect F. P. Rubidge. Originally designed as a residence for the Governor General's secretary, it later served as an official guest house for high-ranking visitors. Notable residents have included the Marquess of Lansdowne and various private secretaries to the Governor General. Since 2015, the building has housed the prime minister's family, as the traditional residence at 24 Sussex Drive has been closed for renovation work. Architecturally, the house stands out for its symmetry, simple lines, and a classically designed entrance portico with a pediment. The facade features multi-pane windows with decorative shutters and paired chimneys. After extensive renovations, which included removing the stucco and coloring the bricks individually, Rideau Cottage has been recognized as a federal heritage building since 1986.