Donald Trump has decided to renovate the White House and build a new banquet hall there. Construction workers demolished most of the covered entrance and windows in the East Wing, which Trump said would be “completely modernised”.
The covered entrance, which occupies part of the East Wing, has already been almost completely dismantled, with fragments of concrete and metal rebar visible even from several hundred metres away.
Several large machines are working nearby – some of them decorated with US flags.
Trump announced on social media the start of construction of the “much needed” ballroom.
“For over 150 years, every president has dreamed of a ballroom in the White House to host receptions, state visits and other events,” he wrote.
Author of the photograph, BBC/Bernd Debusmann Jr.
Donald Trump has previously said the new $250 million White House ballroom would be “adjacent” to the existing building and would not change its architecture.
“It will not interfere with the building. It won’t. It will stand next to it, but it will not touch it – the design maintains respect for the original structure that I love so much,” Trump said in July. – This is my favourite place. I admire it.”
In his post, Trump clarified that the East Wing is “completely separate” from the White House, though it is adjacent to the main building.
According to the president, the construction is being funded by “many generous patriots,” but who exactly those benefactors are is unknown at this time. The White House administration has yet to disclose the names of possible sponsors of the project.
Controversial renovation
The White House has been the official residence of the US president for more than two centuries.
The East Wing was built in 1902, and the last major architectural changes to the building occurred in 1942.
Although the White House and surrounding parks are managed by the National Park Service (NPS), the president has broad authority over renovations.
Former NPS chief historian Robert S. Sutton noted in his book The BBC commentary states that any renovation of the White House is always a source of public concern.
“Ever since the White House was built, almost anything to do with it has been fraught with controversy,” he said.
Photo: Reuters
The US National Park Service usually carefully evaluates all renovation or reconstruction projects, vetting architects and sources. funding.
However, according to former chief historian Robert C. Sutton, that was not the case this time.
“This building is extremely important. It’s considered probably the most important administrative facility in the world. And we just don’t know what’s going on, and that’s wrong,” he said. 600 against more than 900, he said.
The White House released only a few details of the project – including sketches showing the scale of the renovation and a rendering of the future interior with seating for several hundred guests and lavish gold chandeliers.
Construction is reportedly set to begin in September. Donald Trump met with the National Park Service and the U.S. Secret Service to discuss the plans.
The administration announced that Clark Construction will be the contractor and McCrery Architects will handle the design. The White House also said the Secret Service will “provide the necessary updates and changes to enhance security.”
“I am honoured that President Trump has entrusted me to help deliver this remarkable and necessary renovation of the White House while preserving the elegance of its classic design and historic significance,” said McCrery Architects principal Jim McCrery.
Robert Sutton reminds us that projects like this usually go through a long vetting process – to make sure all the changes are functional and to preserve the familiar look of the White House, emphasising that these changes will outlast several generations of presidents.
He cautions: this time, the process is rushed, and the result may reflect Trump’s style more than the country’s history.
“It has always been called the House of the People,” the historian emphasised.
Author photo, Reuters
The Society of Architectural Historians, an international non-profit community dedicated to preserving the world’s historic buildings, has criticised the project.
In a statement released last week, the organisation expressed “grave concerns about the intention to complete the ballroom”. They emphasised that it was “the first major change to the appearance of the building in 83 years”.
“Therefore, such a major intervention to a historic building must be accompanied by careful and thoughtful design and review,” the statement said.
The American Institute of Architects also expressed concern and called for an open and transparent review of the project.
From Truman to Obama: how presidents have changed the White House
Donald Trump has already redesigned the Oval Office this year, adding various gold decorations and paving the Rose Garden lawn to accommodate tables and chairs.
But of course, Trump isn’t the first president to change the White House to his liking.
Harry Truman In 1948-1952, he remodelled the White House. It was one of the largest renovations of a building that Truman moved into. of the White House. According to various sources, the remodelling cost $5.7 million.
In 1933, the White House built an indoor swimming pool for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who swam regularly to stay in shape because of polio.
In 1975, Gerald Ford turned the pool into an outdoor pool, and during Richard Nixon’s presidency it was converted into a press centre. Briefings are still held here today.
In 1993, the White House was modernised to make the building more energy efficient.
Barack Obama converted the tennis court to a basketball court.