The Historic Presidential Residence Under Transformation
A section of the East Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., is being demolished to make way for President Donald Trump’s new neoclassical ballroom. Construction crews are currently using heavy machinery, including an excavator, to remove the existing façade and prepare the site for the planned expansion.
Images and Eyewitness Accounts of the Demolition
According to a photograph published by The Washington Post, a group of workers can be seen tearing down the structure as debris and window frames cover the ground in front of the building.
A person present at the scene told the outlet that the sounds of demolition could be heard throughout the campus and that “a group of people, including members of the Secret Service, were on the Treasury Department steps watching the construction unfold.”
An Officially Announced White House Project
The expansion project, first announced in July, was confirmed in an official White House statement:
“The site of the new ballroom will be where the small, heavily modified and reconstructed East Wing currently stands,” the administration detailed.
In a post on Truth Social, his own social media platform, Donald Trump expressed his excitement about the start of construction:
“I am pleased to announce that construction has begun on the grounds of the White House for the new, large, and beautiful White House Ballroom,” he stated.
The former president added that the new building would be “completely separate from the White House” and that “the East Wing is being completely modernized as part of this process and will be more beautiful than ever when finished.”
A Privately Funded, Neoclassical Ballroom
The ballroom, estimated to cost $200 million, will be entirely financed with private funds, according to Trump.
“For more than 150 years, every president has dreamed of having a ballroom in the White House to host large parties, state visits, and more. I am honored to be the first president to finally move forward with this much-needed project — at no cost to the American taxpayer! The White House Ballroom is funded by many generous patriots, great American companies, and, of course, myself,” he declared.
Design Details and Capacity of the New Venue
Architectural renderings of the White House State Ballroom show a building roughly twice the size of the current East Wing, featuring a completely redesigned neoclassical façade.
The space will cover 8,360 square meters and accommodate up to 650 seated guests, making it suitable for large-scale diplomatic events, receptions, and official ceremonies.
Currently, the East Wing houses the First Lady’s offices and the main visitor entrance, but these functions will be temporarily relocated during construction.
Project Timeline and Completion
According to initial statements, construction began in September 2025 and is expected to be completed “well before the end of President Trump’s term.”
However, the administration has not yet provided an official opening date for the new White House Ballroom.
Comments
Post a Comment