President Donald Trump has hired a new architect for his planned ballroom addition to the White House following a dispute with the previous architect over the project's size and scale. The White House announced on Thursday that the firm of Shalom Baranes will now oversee the $300 million construction project, equivalent to approximately 257 million euros.
According to media reports, Trump had a falling out with the original architect, James McCrery, over disagreements about the size of the proposed addition. McCrery had reportedly warned that the new ballroom should not overshadow the historic White House building itself. The presidential office stated that Baranes, who has been shaping the face of the U.S. capital for decades, will now take the project to the next level.
In a surprising move last October, Trump ordered the complete demolition of the entire East Wing of the White House to make room for the massive ballroom. According to the president's vision, the new facility will accommodate up to 1,000 guests. This represents a significant expansion from the original summer plans, which called for a capacity of only 650 guests and an estimated cost of $200 million – roughly one-third less than the current projected budget.
Trump envisions the ballroom to be lavishly decorated with extensive gold detailing, ornate stucco work, and opulent chandeliers. The president has reportedly secured substantial donations from private industry to fund the ambitious project. The construction timeline calls for completion by 2029.
The controversial building project has faced sharp criticism from historic preservation groups, who claim they were not consulted during the planning process. Congressional opposition members and civil society voices have accused the president of wasteful spending. Despite the criticism, Trump appears determined to move forward with his vision for what would be one of the most significant architectural changes to the White House in modern history.
