Government House Restoration Nears Completion, Senator Says

Government House Restoration Nears Completion, Senator Says

Restoration work on Antigua and Barbuda’s historic Government House is progressing toward completion, with the landmark expected to reopen by the second quarter of 2026 as a living museum, art gallery and event space, an independent senator told the Upper House on Wednesday.

Senator Jamilla Kirwan, making her maiden contribution to the 2026 budget debate, said the Antigua Government House Restoration Project has raised more than EC$7 million since its launch in 2017 and is steadily advancing toward its final phase.

She told senators the project, led by the Antigua and Barbuda Heritage Trust, is designed to preserve the country’s cultural heritage while expanding public access to one of its most significant national buildings.

“The restoration of Government House is of national importance,” Kirwan said, describing the initiative as a commitment to stewardship, sustainability and legacy for future generations.

Under the plan, Government House will continue to serve as the official office of the Governor-General while also functioning as a public cultural attraction. Kirwan said the site will include a museum documenting the history of the Governor-General’s office and the country’s development, along with an art gallery featuring repurposed paintings and royal portraits.

She said the project is also intended to act as a catalyst for revitalizing the surrounding historic precinct and to serve as a model for future heritage legislation.

Kirwan credited the project’s progress to broad public and private support, noting that funding has come largely from individuals, nonprofit organizations and corporate partners.

She also highlighted the work of the Halo Foundation, the charitable arm of the Governor-General’s office, saying its decade-long focus on supporting vulnerable groups complements the restoration effort.

“The work of the Halo Foundation reflects a holistic vision of nation-building,” Kirwan said, linking the preservation of physical heritage with social development.

The senator used the update to reinforce a broader argument made during her budget presentation that public investment must be paired with long-term maintenance and accountability.

She said that preserving national assets requires consistent planning rather than emergency repairs.

The Government House restoration is expected to be formally unveiled no later than mid-2026, according to the timeline outlined during the debate.

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