Significant upgrades to Government House, the official residence of the Governor, are on schedule and should be completed next year, a government minister said.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, made the observation after a recent site visit at the historic property on Langton Hill in Pembroke.

Governors have been housed in temporary accommodation since 2023 and renovation work began last year.

The decision to vacate was made after building inspections confirmed that the structure, built more than a century ago, required urgent repairs to address water damage and ageing infrastructure.

The refit includes a full roof replacement, masonry repairs, external painting, upgraded lightning protection, new patio doors and a modernised fire alarm system.

A ministry spokesman said that the project is expected to achieve “substantive completion” in the first quarter of 2026, with the roof, ceilings, internal painting, electrical systems, flooring and kitchen renovations scheduled to be finalised by that time.

Additional works are anticipated to continue throughout the remainder of the 2026-27 fiscal year.

During the site visit, Mr Adams praised the progress of the work, claiming that it reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the responsible stewardship of public assets.

He said: “This project reflects our dedication to preserving Bermuda's heritage while making sure taxpayer funds are used wisely.

“Government House is more than a residence, it is an historic structure of national importance.

“These necessary renovations will ensure its long-term structural integrity, safety, and functionality for future generations.

“We are proud of the work taking place here and thank the public for their understanding and support as we carry out these essential upgrades to one of the island's most historic government buildings.”

Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, said that he was “grateful” to those who carrying out the work.

Mr Murdoch, who became Governor at the start of this year, said: “Since my arrival, I have seen that it is a multifaceted project that is being well managed by the Ministry of Public Works team, with excellent consultation with Government House officials.

“While there remains much more to be done to enable the Government House team to resume occupancy with full functionality in early 2026, I’m confident that we can achieve this shared goal.

“Government House and its grounds need to be used to the maximum extent possible and as soon as possible, to support activities that deliver for the people of Bermuda.”