The White House has announced plans to construct a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the grounds of the executive residence, a project aimed at significantly expanding the capacity for hosting large-scale official events. The initiative, backed by President Donald J. Trump, will address long-standing space limitations in the historic complex.
According to officials, the proposed ballroom will accommodate seated events for up to 650 guests — more than triple the capacity of the East Room, the largest existing event space inside the White House, which holds approximately 200. The new structure is expected to eliminate the need for temporary tented facilities currently used for major gatherings, which are typically erected on the South Lawn.
The ballroom will be constructed on the site of the current East Wing, which was originally built in 1902 and has undergone several renovations, including the addition of a second floor in 1942. The project will be managed by Clark Construction and designed by McCrery Architects, a Washington-based firm specializing in classical architecture. Engineering services will be led by AECOM.
President Trump, who has characterized the addition as a legacy investment for future administrations, has held recent planning meetings with officials from the White House Staff, the National Park Service, the White House Military Office, and the U.S. Secret Service. The ballroom, according to renderings and descriptions, will mirror the architectural heritage of the White House while remaining structurally distinct from the main residence.
The privately funded project is estimated to cost $200 million. President Trump, along with other private donors, has pledged to cover the full cost. The U.S. Secret Service will oversee security infrastructure as part of the construction effort.
Construction is slated to begin in September 2025, with the administration projecting completion well before the end of President Trump’s current term.
In a statement, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles described the project as a reflection of the president’s longstanding interest in architecture and design, noting the administration’s intention to preserve the White House’s historical character while addressing its functional limitations.
