> At a Glance
> – President Trump confirms plans for a new “Upper West Wing” level above the White House briefing room
> – The project is in early design stages and would add office space or future first ladies’ offices
> – This comes as the privately funded East Wing ballroom project’s cost jumps to $400 million
> – Why it matters: The changes represent the largest White House renovations in modern history, all funded by Trump and donors
President Trump is floating a dramatic expansion of the West Wing with a new second level, even as his administration oversees the most extensive renovations to the executive mansion in decades.
The “Upper West Wing” Proposal
Trump told The New York Times on January 7 that he’s calling the concept the “Upper West Wing.” The plan would add a floor atop the colonnade linking the West Wing to the main residence. He stressed he’ll only proceed if he likes the final design.
Possible uses for the space:
- Extra offices for senior staff
- A dedicated office suite for future first ladies
The White House has not finalized any plans, and the idea remains in the conceptual phase.
Context: A Summer Roof Walk Sparks Talk
Interest in vertical expansion surfaced after Trump was photographed walking the West Wing roof on August 5, 2025. When reporters asked what he was doing, he shouted:
> “Taking a little walk.”
He added he was scouting “more ways to spend my money for the country” and gestured toward possible future projects, saying only:
> “Something beautiful.”
Restoring Symmetry With the East Wing Ballroom
During a January 8 meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, project architect Shalom Baranes revealed the administration is also weighing a modest one-story West Wing addition. The goal: restore architectural balance once the new East Wing ballroom is complete.
> “We’re considering the idea of a modest one-story addition to the West Wing. The reason to think about that is so that we would reinstate the symmetry around the central pavilion of the White House.”
Baranes emphasized the concept has not yet been studied in detail.
Ballooning Budget for the New Ballroom
The East Wing ballroom-being built with private funds-has seen its price tag climb repeatedly:
| Estimate Date | Projected Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial | $200 million |
| Revised | $250 million |
| Later | $300 million |
| Current | $400 million |
Trump revealed the latest figure at a December 17, 2025, Hanukkah reception, thanking a federal judge for allowing construction to continue. He described the facility as:
- Bulletproof glass 4-5 inches thick
- Drone-proof roofing
- Capacity for six times the audience of the U.S. Capitol
> “The biggest drone could crash into it-you’d hear a noise up there. It wouldn’t be bad.”
Additional Plans: Revamping Lafayette Park
Beyond the White House grounds, Trump says he will personally bankroll a $10 million renovation of Lafayette Park, replacing brick walkways with granite. He argues the change will prevent protesters from pulling up loose bricks.
> “I’m spending my own money and I’m going to redo it. I pay everything.”
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s “Upper West Wing” is still only a concept, contingent on approved designs
- The administration is studying a one-story West Wing addition to balance the new East Wing ballroom
- The ballroom’s cost has doubled to $400 million, funded by Trump and private donors
- Trump also plans a $10 million, self-funded makeover of Lafayette Park
- Combined projects mark the most extensive modern-era changes to the White House complex
With these ambitions, Trump aims to leave a physical imprint on the presidency that matches the scale of his policy agenda.
