Donald Trump Announces Massive $200 Million Expansion to White House, and It’s Glittering with Gold

The White House is preparing for a significant transformation of its East Wing with the addition of a grand new ballroom.

In a press release issued Thursday, July 31, the administration unveiled plans for the “much-needed and exquisite addition” — the White House Ballroom. The proposed space will span 90,000 square feet and accommodate up to 650 guests, making it the largest formal gathering area in the Executive Mansion.

The ballroom is set to replace the East Room — which currently seats about 200 people — as the primary venue for official events. This change aims to shift larger functions away from the main building, offering a purpose-built space for state-level receptions and major gatherings.

The White House noted in its announcement that the lack of a dedicated ballroom has, in the past, required the use of “large and unsightly” outdoor tents for overflow crowds.

“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 statement read. “The site of the new ballroom will be where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits.”

The East Wing, traditionally used as office space for the first lady and her staff, will undergo significant renovations during construction. At a press conference Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the wing would not be demolished entirely but “modernized” as part of the project.

The construction is estimated to cost $200 million, funded by President Donald Trump and private donors. Work is expected to begin in September, although no official completion date has been provided. The White House stated that the ballroom would be completed “long before the end of President Trump’s term.”

Design plans for the new structure reflect a dramatic architectural vision. Renderings reveal a vast great room featuring ornate gold chandeliers, a coffered ceiling, Greek Corinthian columns, and tall arched windows on every wall. Round banquet tables and gold chairs are included in the layout, aiming to match the elegance seen in traditional state functions.

Updates on construction progress will be shared on the White House’s visit page, the press release confirmed. The ballroom project will be overseen by McCrery Architects. CEO Jim McCrery described it as a “beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House.”

The ballroom project follows ongoing construction efforts elsewhere on the White House grounds. Most notably, the Rose Garden’s lawn has been removed and replaced with a paved patio area. The redesign has generated controversy, especially given the lawn’s historical roots dating back to President John F. Kennedy.

President Trump has previously voiced concerns that the grass was impractical, noting that it could cause women’s heels to sink during formal outdoor events.

When renovations to the Rose Garden began in early June, a White House official emphasized that the project was a “restoration,” telling PEOPLE that the Trumps “have deep respect for the history of the White House and for the Rose Garden.”

“This restoration to the Rose Garden preserves the beauty of the space and builds on the work done in 2020,” the official said, “with a focus on enhancing practical use and guest experience for those attending special events.”