The White House is set to begin construction on a new $200 million ballroom, scheduled for completion before Donald Trump’s term ends in early 2029.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the 90,000-square-foot (8,300-square-meter) venue will seat up to 650 guests. This marks the latest update to “the People’s House” since Trump returned to office in January and will be the first major structural change to the executive mansion since the Truman Balcony was added in 1948.
Currently, the White House can’t accommodate large events due to the East Room’s 200-person limit. In an interview with NBC News, Trump criticized the current setup, which requires guests to be directed to tents on the South Lawn.
“When it rains or snows, it’s a disaster,” Trump said, noting that the tents are “a football field away from the White House.”
He emphasized the long-standing need for a proper ballroom, saying, “I’m doing a lot of improvements. I’ll be building a beautiful ballroom. They wanted it for many, many years.”
Funding for the project will come from Trump and private “patriot donors,” according to the White House website, with Trump calling it “his gift to the country.”
McCrery Architects will design the ballroom, Clark Construction will lead the build, and AECOM will handle engineering. The new structure will replace the current East Wing and stand separately from the main White House building.
The project aligns with Trump’s background as a real estate developer. While past changes—like paving parts of the Rose Garden and adding gold accents—could be easily undone, the ballroom will remain long after his presidency.
