A moving van arrived at 24 Sussex Drive on Thursday with a new prime minister's belongings.

Stephen Harper is moving his family into the prime ministerial residence, ignoring suggestions that he leave it vacant a while for renovations.

The 140-year-old stone house – home to Canadian prime ministers since Louis St. Laurent in 1951 – features a swimming pool from the Trudeau era, a hot tub from the Mulroney years, a view of the Ottawa River and a long maintenance to-do list.

The National Capital Commission, which is responsible for Ottawa's official residences, has said it needs structural work and upgrades but has not disclosed a cost estimate.

Harper appears reluctant to spend heavily on the house soon after taking power. But he has said he is willing to vacate it in the summer to allow for repairs, the Canadian Press reports.