New renderings released this week offer the most detailed look yet at Donald Trump’s proposed $400 million White House ballroom addition. The renderings, submitted by the project’s architects and released on Friday by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), depict a structure expected to be around 90,000 square feet.
A New Ballroom Takes Shape
The proposed building, as shown in the renderings, would stand level with the White House mansion. The images are part of a 28-page document titled “East Wing Modernization,” dated February 11, and were submitted ahead of a scheduled NCPC hearing on March 5.
Trump has appointed several allies to the NCPC commission and has also installed loyalists at the Commission of Fine Arts, which is also tasked with reviewing the ballroom plans.
Controversial Beginnings and Ongoing Debate
The project has faced criticism since its inception. In October, Trump began demolishing the East Wing to clear space for the ballroom before submitting construction plans to oversight bodies. White House officials stated at the time that demolition did not require the commission’s approval, but that plans would be presented for construction.
In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the construction, arguing that the administration violated multiple laws by demolishing parts of the White House “without any review whatsoever.” Also in December, Trump replaced the original architect for the project following disagreements, and subsequently chose Shalom Baranes Associates to lead the project.
Earlier this week, Trump shared renderings of the ballroom on social media, stating the project is “on budget, and ahead of schedule!” and would be “the finest Ballroom ever built anywhere in the World.” He also suggested the ballroom could be used for future Presidential Inaugurations.
Justification and Preservation Efforts
In a February 5 memo to the NCPC, Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, defended the demolition of the East Wing, stating it was the “most effective solution” to longstanding issues and would provide the “best long-term risk reduction.” Fisher also stated that preservationists from the National Park Service and General Services Administration advised on and documented the removal of historical elements, and that significant items have been meticulously preserved for potential integration into the new structure.
Fisher also stated that all heavy equipment has been kept at a safe distance from the White House mansion and that the east façade of the White House Mansion remains in “excellently preserved” condition. Beyond the ballroom, the administration has plans to “beautify the visitor experience” in surrounding parks and establish a “superior, more efficient” visitor security screening center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the estimated cost of the new ballroom?
The most recently reported cost estimate for the ballroom is $400 million.
When is the NCPC scheduled to discuss the proposal?
The NCPC is scheduled to discuss the proposal at a hearing on March 5.
What was the administration’s justification for demolishing the East Wing?
According to a memo from Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, demolition of the East Wing was the “most effective solution” to longstanding issues affecting the White House and would provide the “best long-term risk reduction.”
Given the scale of this project and the ongoing debate surrounding it, what impact will the new ballroom ultimately have on the White House and its surrounding landscape?
