> At a Glance
> – A new 89,000-square-foot East Wing will house a 1,000-seat ballroom for White House events
> – The privately funded project has doubled in cost to $400 million since first announced
> – Construction could last years and may expand to the West Wing for symmetry
> – Why it matters: The expansion will transform how the White House hosts official events while sparking legal battles over federal land use
The White House revealed detailed plans for a dramatic East Wing expansion centered on a grand ballroom that will nearly double the mansion’s footprint.
The Grand Ballroom
Architect Shalom Baranes told the National Capital Planning Commission the ballroom will seat 1,000 guests inside a 20,000-square-foot space with 40-foot ceilings.
The wing will also include:
- A commercial-grade kitchen
- Streamlined guest entrance to replace security trailers
- Improved delivery access
- Enhanced connectivity to reduce strain on the historic building
President Trump, who has personally overseen the design evolution, shared fresh renderings at Thursday’s hearing. The scope has ballooned since he announced it in 2025, pushing the price tag from $200 million to $400 million.
Legal Pushback
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued last year, arguing the administration broke ground before submitting plans or securing Congress’s approval for building on federal park land. A judge declined to block construction, and the White House filed its initial plans soon after.
Top donors footing the bill include Comcast Corp., parent of NBCUniversal; contribution amounts remain undisclosed.
The commission-chaired by Trump staff secretary Will Scharf-will vote on final approvals in early March after reviewing more detailed drawings next month.
Key Takeaways
- A 1,000-seat ballroom anchors the 89,000 sq ft East Wing
- Private donors, led by Comcast, are covering the $400 million tab
- Opponents say the project violates federal land-use rules
- Construction timeline stretches “years” with possible West Wing expansion to follow
The proposed wing, matching the White House height exactly, would reshape the iconic residence into a major events venue while testing limits of presidential construction authority.
