White House unveils $259 million plan for enormous ballroom long sought by Trump

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration July 31 announced plans for a major renovation of the East Wing of the White House that would add a US$200 million (S$259 million) state ballroom to the historic building, fulfilling a long-held desire of President Donald Trump.

Ms Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the 8,361 sq m addition would allow the administration to host events for about 650 people. She said the project will begin in September and was expected to be complete before the end of Mr Trump’s term.

Barely six months into his term, Mr Trump has already moved to leave an imprint on the White House for long after he leaves office.

He has begun following through on a plan to pave over the Rose Garden, one of the White House’s most iconic locations, and restyled the Oval Office with gold trim befitting Mar-a-Lago, his resort and residence in Florida.

In July, a new flagpole was installed in an event that included Mr Trump asking the workers about their immigration status.

Now, Mr Trump has his eyes on a massive expansion of the White House structure.

“President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail,” according to a statement from Mr Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles that was read by Ms Leavitt at the briefing.

“The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organisations to preserve the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future administrations and generations of Americans to come.”

Ms Leavitt said Mr Trump and other donors would pay for the renovation. The administration has tapped McCrery Architects and Clark Construction for the project.

Mr Trump in recent weeks has met with White House staff, the National Park Service and the Secret Service to discuss the construction project, Ms Leavitt said.

When the White House hosts large events, it tends to set up a large tent on the White House grounds that can hold about 200 people, Ms Leavitt said. The new structure would allow the White House to host hundreds of additional guests.

“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,” Ms Leavitt said.

During the renovations, many government workers will have to be relocated from the East Wing, Ms Leavitt said. That includes those in the White House military office, the visitor’s offices and the office of First Lady Melania Trump. NYTIMES