The White House will undergo a $200 million expansion this fall, with construction beginning in September on a new state ballroom to host large-scale events.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced July 31 that the new ballroom will span about 90,000 square feet and accommodate up to 650 guests.
According to a White House statement, the new facility will allow the residence to host major diplomatic events and state functions without relying on temporary outdoor tents. The largest indoor event space currently on the property is the East Room, which can accommodate about 200 guests.
The project is being funded by President Donald Trump and a group of “patriot donors,” the statement said. White House staff will temporarily relocate East Wing offices, including the office of the First Lady, during construction.
Trump selected McCrery Architects, a D.C.-based firm known for its classical design, to lead the renovation.
“I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House,” firm CEO Jim McCrery said, “while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance.”
Other renovations under Trump this year include replacing the Rose Garden lawn with a hard-surface patio, installing new flagpoles on the North and South lawns, and redesigning the Oval Office with gold accents, according to POLITICO.
While the project represents one of the largest expansions of the White House in decades, White House officials say it will respect the building’s historical integrity.
“President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail,” Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said in the statement. “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.”
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