Trump suggests possible renovations at the White House during a rooftop walk
New White House State Ballroom to Expand Event Capacity
The White House is set for a significant expansion with the construction of a new State Ballroom, announced last week by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The project, estimated to cost approximately $200 million, will commence in September 2025 and is expected to be completed before the end of President Donald Trump’s term.
The new ballroom, spanning 90,000 square-feet, will substantially increase the event capacity from the current 200 to 650 people. The construction site will be on the location of the current East Wing, which dates back to 1902 and has undergone multiple renovations.
McCrery Architects have been selected as the lead architectural firm for the project, known for their classical design. Clark Construction will head the construction efforts, while AECOM will lead the engineering team. The United States Secret Service will oversee necessary security enhancements and modifications for the project.
The Rose Garden is currently being repaved, another change to the White House since Trump took office. President Trump has expressed his commitment to solving the long-standing issue of a large event space on the White House complex for future Administrations and the American people.
Upon completion, the new ballroom will be substantially separated from the main White House building but will closely match its architectural style and heritage. The project aims to modernize and expand White House event space while respecting historic design, though some critics have raised concerns about historic preservation impacts.
President Trump has emphasized his personal contribution to the cost of the construction, stating that anything he does is financed by him. He also teased reporters about more construction at the White House.
The public can follow updates and view renderings on the White House official website. This project represents a significant expansion of White House event facilities while aiming to preserve architectural integrity and history.
| Aspect | Details | |---------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Size | 90,000 square feet | | Seating Capacity | 650 people (up from 200 in East Room) | | Location | On site of current East Wing, substantially separated from main White House | | Cost | Approximately $200 million donated by Trump and others | | Timeline | Construction starts September 2025; completion before end of Trump’s term | | Architect | McCrery Architects | | Construction Lead | Clark Construction | | Engineering Lead | AECOM | | Security | Modifications by U.S. Secret Service |
- The new White House State Ballroom, in addition to expanding event capacity, is expected to renovate and update the White House's financial investments in real-estate, aligning with Trump's personal interests.
- Considering the implications of war-and-conflicts and politics on public facilities, critics debate the significance of investing millions in a new ballroom during times of political unrest and economic instability.
- As the general news majorly focuses on the Presidential election, people have begun paying attention to Trump's proposed plan for immense real-estate expansion, potentially impacting future investments in White House event facilities.
