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The White House announced on Thursday that construction is due to begin of a new 90,000 square feet state ballroom at the president’s official residence, a project Donald Trump has spent years pushing for.

According to the press release the new ballroom will be able to hold 650 people removing the need for what it termed a “large and unsightly tent” to be used for hosting major White House events.

Concept images released of the ballroom show the ballroom lined with golden chandeliers and golden chairs, very much in keeping with President Trump’s gilded Oval office additions during his second term.

Artists rendering showing what the inside of the new White House ballroom should look like. In the concept picture, the room is lined with golden chandeliers and golden chairs. Artists rendering showing what the inside of the new White House ballroom should look like. In the concept picture, the room is lined with golden chandeliers and golden chairs. McCrery Architects PLLC

Why It Matters

President Trump’s project would represent a major change to the White House complex the fundamentals of which have remained largely unchanged since the 1948-52 reconstruction under President Truman.

Such a move would stamp Trump’s legacy on the site, in a move that could long outlast his presidency, while providing a substantially larger indoor venue for hosting major events that the White House currently enjoys.

Artistic rendering of the new East Wing of the White House containing President Trump’s new ballroom. Artistic rendering of the new East Wing of the White House containing President Trump’s new ballroom. McCrery Architects PLLC

What To Know

According to the White House press release the new ballroom will be “substantially separated” from the main complex, but will use an “almost identical” theme and style. It will be built “where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits.”

The East Wing, which was built in 1902 and expanded in 1942, is connected to the main White House complex via the East Colonnade.

Currently the East Wing houses offices for the first lady. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said these would be “temporarily relocated” during the construction work.

The project will cost around $200 million, which the White House said is being funded by “President Trump, and other patriot donors,” with the Secret Service involved to ensure “the necessary security enhancements and modifications.”

A map marks the site of a planned expansion of the White House’s East Wing to create a new ballroom. A map marks the site of a planned expansion of the White House’s East Wing to create a new ballroom. Airbus/Google Earth

Trump chose McCrery Architects to design the extension, as the firm specializes in the classical style which matches the current White House complex. The construction work will be led by Clark Construction, while AECOM will head the engineering team.

In the press release the White House said Trump has personally held several meetings to discuss the expansion along with White House staff and representatives from the Secret Service, White House Military Office and National Park Service.

The expanded White House East Wing seen in an artists rendering of the new ballroom construction. The expanded White House East Wing seen in an artists rendering of the new ballroom construction. McCrery Architects PLLC

Artistic rendering showing the expanded White House East Wing from the front. Artistic rendering showing the expanded White House East Wing from the front. McCrery Architects PLLC

Work is due to begin in September 2025 and is “expected to be completed long before the end of President Trump’s term.”

Trump has a long-standing interest in constructing a White House ballroom which proceeds his first term as president.

According to President Obama’s senior adviser David Axelrod, in 2010 Trump offered to build a new White House ballroom, noting the one in his Florida Mar-a-Lago private members club. Trump later told Rush Limbaugh he had offered to pay for the whole thing, though Axelrod said he couldn’t remember this.

Artistic rendering of the expanded new White House East Wing. Artistic rendering of the expanded new White House East Wing. McCrery Architects PLLC

Expanded White House East Wing containing President Trump’s new ballroom in an artists rendering. Expanded White House East Wing containing President Trump’s new ballroom in an artists rendering. McCrery Architects PLLC

Speaking in February, Trump said he had contacted the Biden administration offering to construct a new ballroom for the White House, but never heard back.

What People Are Saying

McCrery Architects CEO Jim McCrery said: “Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman. 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.”

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles commented: “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.”

The East Wing of the White House is seen on a clear, fall day on November 08, 2023 in Washington D.C. The East Wing of the White House is seen on a clear, fall day on November 08, 2023 in Washington D.C. Kevin Carter/GETTY

What Happens Next

Construction of the new White House ballroom is set to begin in September 2025. The completion data has not been announced, though the White House insists it will be during Trump’s ongoing second term.