Thomas McKay commissioned and built the original stone villa at Rideau Hall in 1838, in a Regency style inspired by John Soane. The Crown leased the house in 1864, and the Government of Canada bought the property outright in 1868. Frederick Preston Rubidge oversaw the 1865 refinishing and additions, including the Monck wing. David Ewart designed the 1913 Mappin block.
The main building covers about 102,000 square feet (9,500 square meters), with about 175 rooms, and the estate is 88 acres. The ballroom has a Waterford crystal chandelier of about one ton. The reception room is the only remaining part of McKay's villa.
Governor General Lorne and Princess Louise were the first royal residents, in 1878. It is the official residence of the governor general and hosts about 200 events a year. It became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1977.
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