President Donald Trump announced the addition of a new ballroom to the White House in order to expand its ability to host larger events.
Bethesda, Maryland-based Clark Construction will lead the team building the space, according to a July 31 White House news release. The project will cost $200 million, per the release, with funds gifted from Trump and other donors.
The new White House State Ballroom will be “substantially separated” from the main portion of the White House, but will be designed in the same architectural style as the rest of the structure. It will be built off of the East Wing, which was first constructed in 1902. It has seen multiple renovations and gained a second story in 1942, the release said.
The ballroom will add about 90,000 total square feet of space with a seating capacity of 650 people, an increase from the 200-person seating capacity in the East Room of the White House, the release said.
Critics said the construction of the sprawling facility on the White House grounds could be detrimental to historic preservation, according to the New York Times.
“It could do some harm to the property over all,” Richard Longstreth, American studies professor for George Washington University, told the Times. “There aren’t any checks and balances here, unfortunately.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan Jarvis, former director of the National Park Service, cast doubt on the timeline for constructing the ballroom by the end of Trump’s second term.
“You don’t see one of those projects go that fast,” Jarvis told the Times. “It’ll be a rush to get it done.”
In addition to Clark, Dallas-based AECOM was named leader of the project’s engineering team and Washington, D.C.-based McCrery Architects will provide designs as architect on the project. Clark did not respond to Construction Dive’s request for comment, and AECOM referred questions to the White House. The value of each firm’s contract was not disclosed.
“I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House, while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance,” said Jim McCrery, CEO of McCrery Architects, in the release.
The project is scheduled to begin construction in September and will finish before the end of Trump’s second term, the release said.
