Construction on what is expected to be President Donald Trump’s permanent addition to the White House – a 90,000 square foot ballroom with a capacity of more than 650 – is slated to begin next month.
This Thursday, the White House revealed that Trump and “other patriot donors” have raised funds to build the approximately $200 million structure. It also said the president selected McCrery Architects as lead architect, that the construction team will be headed by Clark Construction, and the engineering team will be led by AECOM.
“In recent weeks, President Trump has held several meetings with members of the White House Staff, the National Park Service, the White House Military Office, and the United States Secret Service to discuss design features and planning,” said the White House.
Earlier this year, Audacy reported that Trump, who was a well-known real estate developer before entering politics – has had dreams of a White House ballrooms for years, even before he became president. In fact, he first reportedly floated the idea when former President Barack Obama was in office. He offered to personally fund the construction but was denied at the time.
“For 150 years, Presidents, and many others, have wanted a beautiful Ballroom, but it never got built because nobody previously had any knowledge or experience in doing such things – But I do, like maybe nobody else, and it will go up quickly, and be a wonderful addition, very much in keeping with the magnificent White House itself,” said Trump in a June Truth Social post.
According to the White House, the new ballroom will be “substantially separated from the main building of the White House,” but will have an “identical” theme and architectural heritage. It is expected to be constructed on the site of the current East Wing of the White House.
“The East Wing was constructed in 1902 and has been renovated and changed many times, with a second story added in 1942,” the White House said. Furthermore, it said that “the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance.”
While not a ballroom, the East Room is the largest of the White House’s state rooms, according to the White House Historical Association. It was designed by James Hoban and first President George Washington to serve as a public audience room and it has served serval purposes, from being used by former First Lady Abigail Adams to hang up laundry to dry to waltzing, and to the funeral for President Abraham Lincoln.
“Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman,” said CEO Jim McCrery of McCrery Architects. “I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House, while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance.”
Work on the ballroom is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s term in January 2029. The white House also said the United States Secret Service will provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications for the construction.
“President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail. The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come,” said White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in a statement.
Audacy has also covered Trump’s changes to the Oval Office this year, and some of the internet’s reactions to those changes.