Government House, Nassau

Government House is the official residence of the Governor-General of The Bahamas and one of Nassau’s most prominent examples of Georgian colonial architecture. The building overlooks the harbor and has long served as a symbol of colonial authority and state ceremony.

The house is painted in the traditional conch-pink color associated with Bahamian civic buildings. Its formal entrance is marked by four Ionic columns, reflecting British Georgian design principles. Elements such as wooden shutters and the use of color reflect local adaptation to climate and materials, while the overall symmetry and proportions follow British architectural conventions introduced during the Loyalist period after the American Revolutionary War.

The first Government House on this site was constructed in 1737, though the present building dates largely to 1806, following reconstruction and expansion. Over time, the residence has undergone several modifications. An east wing was added in 1909, and after hurricane damage in 1929, major repairs in the 1930s included changes to the roof, facade, and entrance.

One of the residence’s most notable occupants was Edward VIII, who served as Governor of The Bahamas from 1940 to 1945 under the title Duke of Windsor, after abdicating the British throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson. During their tenure, a west wing, known as the Windsor Wing, was added. The Duchess also installed a distinctive black glass plaque on the front door, shipped from the couple’s residence in France and bearing the Duke’s Order of the Garter.