Offices

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In 1972, the official Office of the Prime Minister was located at East Race Course, now National Heroes Circle. However, a decision was made to remove the Office of the Prime Minister to Jamaica House and the original bedrooms and sitting rooms in the guest wing were used as offices for the Prime Minister’s Personal Support Staff. Weekly meetings of the Cabinet were conducted in the Banquet Hall, however, the Cabinet Secretariat, remained at Heroes Circle.

After a few months, a Wooden Building was constructed and aluminum trailers were acquired and converted to temporary offices for the entire staff of the Prime Minister’s Office. However, by 1974 the Prime Minister and his growing family found Jamaica House inconvenient for dwelling and they moved to Protocol House at Hopefield Avenue.

In 1980, Vale Royal was refurbished. Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Edward Seaga and his family went there to live. Vale Royal then became the official residence of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance while Jamaica House continued to be used as the Office of the Prime Minister.

When Mr. Michael Manley returned as Prime Minister in 1989, Vale Royal remained the official residence of the Prime Minister, with Jamaica House continuing as the Office of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has also continued to use Vale Royal as the official residence of the Prime Minister.

In 1995, an Administration Building was constructed to accommodate the OPM staff and in 1998, an adjoining wing, the Executive Building was constructed. This Building now houses the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Room and Offices. Jamaica House continues to be used as offices.