The White House formally launched construction on its proposed $200 million State Ballroom project this morning, marking the first major structural addition to the Executive Mansion since 1948. The privately funded 90,000-square-foot ballroom will be erected where the current East Wing stands, with work slated to begin in September 2025 and aiming for completion before the end of President Donald Trump’s second term in early 2029.
President Trump, a former real estate developer, has long voiced frustration over the limited event capacity of the White House, pointing out that the East Room can accommodate only around 200 guests, far fewer than the hundreds often invited to state dinners and similar events. His solution: a new, grand ballroom capable of seating up to 650 guests, eliminating the need to host large receptions in temporary outdoor tents, which he criticized as unprofessional and impractical in inclement weather conditions.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles emphasized that no taxpayer dollars would be used for the project, citing full private funding by Trump and unspecified “patriot donors.” She underscored the intention to maintain the historic integrity of the White House, noting the addition will be adjacent to—but not part of—the original building, and efforts will be made to ensure architectural harmony with the existing structure. Trump pledged the project would be executed on schedule, with an aesthetic he described as “top‑of‑the‑line” and “beautiful,” reflecting his broader vision of transforming the mansion into what he refers to as “The People’s House”.
The design team includes McCrery Architects (lead design), Clark Construction (builders), and AECOM (engineering), with oversight by the National Park Service and Secret Service to address regulatory, design, and security concerns. The project is expected to significantly modernize and enhance the functionality of the East Wing, temporarily displacing offices housed there—including the First Lady’s staff—while the new ballroom is constructed and the wing is renovated.
Critics from some Democratic quarters have argued that the project reflects Trump’s focus on grandiosity and personal legacy rather than necessities of governance. However, Trump and his allies assert the ballroom will serve future administrations, providing much-needed space for diplomacy, state functions, and ceremonial events without reliance on external structures. Trump framed the endeavor as a legacy project, noting that presidents have envisioned a purpose-built ballroom “for more than 150 years” but none had delivered—until now.
This expansion forms part of broader aesthetic and functional upgrades underway at the White House under Trump. Recent enhancements include the installation of towering new flagpoles on both the north and south lawns, and a redesign of the Rose Garden featuring stone surfaces rather than grass to improve usability during official events.
The $200 million ballroom will thus serve both symbolic and practical purposes: a markedly larger modern event venue within the White House grounds, and a statement of presidential ambition. If completed as stated, it will stand as the first significant structural alteration at the mansion in more than seven decades—a bold project defined by private funding, high-end architectural ambition, and Trump’s personal imprint on the nation’s most renowned residence.
