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After demolition East Wing Make room for him in the White House Spacious banquet hallPresident Donald Trump is now considering expanding the West Wing, according to a new report.
during an interview new york times On Wednesday, the president unveiled designs for the expansion, which he called “upper west wing,” is currently being drafted. If he is satisfied with the renderings, he will proceed with construction.
Trump said renovations to the West Wing, home to the Oval Office and senior staff workspaces, could provide additional office space for aides or “future first ladies.”
The architect responsible for the estimated $400 million ballroom project mentioned the proposal Thursday when he presented plans to the National Capital Planning Commission.
architect Shalom Baranes Said the ballroom will be as tall as the main White House building and “the height will match exactly.” independent Previously reported.
“I did mention the possibility of a future expansion in the West Wing, a one-story expansion,” Baranez told the committee. “The reason for considering that is so that we can restore the symmetry of the central gallery of the White House.”
According to the architects, the extension to the west wing will be limited to “just the colonnades.” era.
“We haven’t considered this yet but hope to do so in the future,” he added.
Thursday’s meeting was the first time the public got a detailed look at Trump’s plans for the privately funded ballroom, which will be about 22,000 square feet.
Committee member Phil Mendelson expressed reservations about Baranes’ ballroom proposal, saying he was “concerned” that the massive new building would dwarf the White House. The commission will vote on the project in early March.
The ballroom has faced resistance from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed a lawsuit last year accusing Trump of breaking ground before submitting plans to Congress or the Planning Commission, arguing those agencies are required to approve construction on federal parkland in Washington, D.C. Last month, a judge refused to immediately halt construction on the project.
Trump is also considering finding additional sites in Washington, D.C., for redevelopment.
while giving era During a tour of the White House by reporters, he said he would remove bricks from Lafayette Park and install granite in its place, and mentioned renovations at Washington Dulles International Airport. Previously, Trump also announced plans to build a Arc de Triomphe Near the Potomac River.
In just over a year in office, he has already made major changes to the White House, including paving the Rose Garden, installing two towering flagpoles on the lawn, decorating the Oval Office with gold furniture — and most notably, gutting the East Wing.
According to an October poll washington post, 56% of Americans Opposed to demolishing the east wing and building a ballroom in its place, 28% supported it.