White House Begins $200M East Wing Ballroom Project with 900-Guest Capacity

Washington, D.C. – September 23, 2025 - The White House has officially begun construction on a lavish new ballroom, part of a sweeping renovation to its East Wing announced earlier this summer. The project, with an estimated cost of $200 million, is the most ambitious structural addition to the Executive Mansion since the Truman administration.

A Ballroom for the Ages

President Donald Trump first revealed plans in July for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom designed to host large official events, something he has said is missing from the White House’s existing facilities. Originally intended to seat 650 guests, the capacity has since been increased, and the latest plans call for space that can accommodate up to 900 people.

The structure will replace part of the current East Wing, including offices (some of them belonging to aides and First Lady Melania Trump), which will be temporarily relocated during construction. The East Wing itself will be “modernized” alongside the addition.

Architectural plans reveal that the new ballroom will mirror the White House’s classical architecture. It will feature design elements such as coffered ceilings, large arched windows, Greek or Corinthian-style columns, and opulent fixtures like chandeliers, echoing the interiors of Trump’s own estates.

Timelines, Funding & Capacity

Construction is set to begin in September 2025 and is expected to be completed well before the end of Trump’s current term in January 2029. Funding for the project will come from Trump himself along with private donors.

Though initially projected at 650 seats, the capacity increase to 900 attendees lends extra weight to the project’s scale and purpose: large-scale entertaining, formal events, and diplomatic gatherings that the White House may currently need to host using temporary structures like tents.

Historical Context & Public Reaction

The last major structural change to the White House was the construction of the Truman Balcony in 1948, making this ballroom addition the first serious expansion of the kind in decades. Trump has defended the project as filling a longstanding gap. “They’ve been trying to get” a ballroom for “about 150 years,” he said, referring to previous presidents.

Critics have raised concerns over its cost, the appropriateness of altering a historic estate, and whether it reflects public priorities. Supporters argue that the White House needs a proper facility for state functions without relying on external tents or makeshift structures. The architects and planning officials have emphasized that while the ballroom will be closely integrated with the existing architecture, no existing main structures will be torn down.

Significance & Implications

Beyond its immediate function as an event venue, the new ballroom is also a symbol of style, design, and presidential legacy—projects that often outlive administrations. Whether or not it will change perceptions of the White House’s role or its public image, the ballroom is likely to become a permanent and visible part of its identity.

From a construction and architectural perspective, this project will involve major logistical and design challenges, such as preserving the historic aesthetic, managing operations during construction, and balancing security with public accessibility. The engagement of prominent firms, McCrery Architects for design, Clark Construction as builder, and AECOM for engineering, further underscores the level of expertise being brought in.