Trump Hires New Architect for White House Ballroom After Reported Clashes Over Its Design

Donald Trump has appointed a new lead architect to guide the design of his expansive White House ballroom project after reported disagreements with the original architect over the addition’s scale and ambition.

Washington, D.C.–based firm Shalom Baranes Associates has now been put in charge of the multi-million dollar renovation, taking over primary design responsibilities from architect James McCrery, whose boutique firm was originally contracted for the project.

In a statement released Friday, Dec. 5, White House officials confirmed the change, emphasizing that McCrery will remain involved as a “valuable consultant.” They framed Baranes’ arrival not as a replacement, but as a “passing of the baton” as the project moves into “new phases.”

Sources told CNN that tensions over the ballroom’s growing footprint — from its increasing size to questions about whether McCrery’s firm could manage a project of this scale — played a significant role in the decision to bring Baranes on board.

The Washington Post, which first reported the shift, also noted that McCrery had expressed concern that the grand new structure might visually dominate the historic Executive Residence. According to the White House Historical Association, the Executive Residence is about 55,000 square feet, while the West Wing encompasses roughly 40,000 square feet.

Preservation advocates and several lawmakers have criticized the broader project since the demolition of the East Wing, arguing that it raises serious questions about oversight and historic protections. On Thursday, Dec. 4, Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced the No Palaces Act, legislation that would require the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) to sign off before any historic federal building can be demolished.

The White House has maintained that NCPC approval was not necessary for tearing down the East Wing but has said it will submit the ballroom plans to the commission before construction begins.

NCPC chair Will Scharf, a Trump appointee, said Thursday that the commission expects to review the ballroom proposal sometime this month.

The East Wing was demolished in October to clear space for the new venue, which Trump has repeatedly described as a fully donor-funded, “much needed and exquisite addition.”

Concept renderings have circulated for months, and the envisioned ballroom has steadily increased in size. What was initially presented over the summer as a roughly 90,000-square-foot space with seating for 500 to 650 guests has since expanded significantly. Trump told NBC News in September that it would accommodate up to 900 people, while reporting by the BBC has cited plans for a capacity of about 1,350.

Projected costs have risen alongside the design. Once estimated at $200 million, the project is now expected to cost around $300 million, according to Trump, who said in October that the full amount will be covered by donors — himself included.

Trump has also promoted the future ballroom as “the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office.”

According to its website, Shalom Baranes Associates previously designed the General Services Administration’s national headquarters.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised the firm as “highly talented,” saying it has joined a broader “team of experts to carry out President Trump’s vision.”

“Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nation’s capital for decades, and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project,” Ingle said.