In an announcement on July 31, President Trump said that construction on the new Whitehouse Ballroom would begin in September 2025. The new addition would add a grand, dignified space for hosting important Presidential events. The new Ballroom will alleviate space pressures that have seen the White House having to use large tents for major events that could not be accommodated within the existing White House floor plan.

With his trademark approach to humor, the president discussed the planned expansion with reports on the day of the announcement.

“They’ve wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than 150 years but there’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms,” Trump told reporters according to the Associated Press. “I’m good at building things and we’re going to build quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful, top, top of the line.”

A concern would be that the new construction would interfere or degrade the existing, historic building. 

That won't happen, according to the President.

“It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” Trump said. “It’s my favorite. It’s my favorite place. I love it.”

Large Scale Classical Design

Fortunately for posterity, the new ballroom addition to the White House is being done under President Trump who favors classical design. If project had been undertaken by any recent liberal president, the likelihood is that it would have been designed using a brutalist and anti-human aesthetic.

If you doubt this, cast your eyes on the Obama Presidential Library, currently under construction and imagine that monstrosity gracing the White House grounds.

Instead, President Trump has chosen an architecture firm known for developing buildings with tasteful, classical designs.

In the release announcing the building project, the White House described the architect that was selected. "President Trump has chosen McCrery Architects as lead architect, which is well-known for their classical architectural design and based in our nation’s capital."

In his comments, CEO Jim McCrery noted the importance of the job ahead of his firm. “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.”

Key Facts About the White House Ballroom

  • The new ballroom will encompass approximately 90,000 square feet
  • The ballroom will have a seating capacity of 650; Current capacity of the East Room of the White House is 200.
  • The cost of construction will be handled by private donations, not by taxpayers. "President Trump, and other patriot donors, have generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build this approximately $200 million dollar structure," the White House said.
  • The ballroom will be an "ornately designed and carefully crafted space," according to the White House.
  • The builder will be Clark Construction and the engineering team will be lead by AECOM

The new construction will replace the existing East Wing, according to the White House statement. 

"The White House Ballroom will be substantially separated from the main building of the White House, but at the same time, its theme and architectural heritage will be almost identical. The site of the new ballroom will be where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits. The East Wing was constructed in 1902 and has been renovated and changed many times, with a second story added in 1942."

Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, summed up the aspirations of the project.

“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.”