Construction work has begun on a controversial new addition to the White House — a $250 million ballroom project championed by US President Donald Trump. Crews on Monday began tearing down sections of the East Wing, including parts of the covered entryway and windows, to make way for what Trump has described as a “fully modernised” expansion.
The president announced the development on social media, declaring that “ground has been broken” on what he called a “much-needed” ballroom. “For more than 150 years, every president has dreamt about having a ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties and state visits,” Trump wrote, adding that the project would be privately funded by “many generous patriots” — though no donors have yet been identified.
Trump, who said the new ballroom would be “near but not touching” the existing structure, has insisted that the project will respect the White House’s historical character. “It won’t interfere with the current building… It pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he told reporters in July.
The East Wing, first constructed in 1902 and last modified in 1942, is home to key offices and the First Lady’s staff. From the south side of the complex, several large pieces of construction equipment were seen on site, many draped with US flags. The White House has released preliminary drawings of the ballroom, featuring lavish interiors with gold chandeliers and seating for hundreds of guests.
However, preservation experts and historians have raised alarm over what they describe as a rushed and opaque process. Robert K. Sutton, former chief historian of the National Park Service (NPS), criticised the lack of a formal review. “This building is so important — it’s considered to be the most significant executive residence in the world. Yet we just don’t know what’s happening, and that’s very inappropriate,” he told the BBC.
Both the Society of Architectural Historians and the American Institute of Architects have issued statements urging greater transparency and a rigorous design review. The former noted that the proposed addition represents “the first major change to the White House’s exterior in over 80 years” and should not proceed without careful consideration.
The Trump administration has selected Clark Construction as the project’s contractor, with McCrery Architects handling design duties. “I am honoured that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House,” said architect Jim McCrery.
Trump’s tenure has already seen notable aesthetic changes to the presidential residence — from gilded Oval Office redecorations to the controversial paving over of the Rose Garden lawn. Yet, as historians point out, nearly every modern president has left a mark on the White House. Barack Obama converted the tennis court for basketball games; Richard Nixon turned Franklin Roosevelt’s indoor pool into the press briefing room; and Harry Truman famously oversaw a full structural rebuild between 1948 and 1952.
Still, many observers argue that the current project represents a more drastic departure. As Sutton warned, “It’s always been called the People’s House. The worry now is that it’s becoming more a reflection of one man’s taste than the nation’s shared history.”
Melissa Enoch
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