Architect Shalom Baranes points at a rendering on a board during a National Capitol Planning Commission meeting discussing the White House ballroom project, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo)
US President Donald Trump’s team has presented plans for a new $400 million ballroom at the White House, telling a federal planning body that they are also considering adding an extra storey to part of the West Wing.
At a public meeting on Thursday, aides briefed the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) on the proposal, marking the first time details of the project were discussed openly.
Trump ordered the demolition of the White House’s East Wing last year to make way for the new structure. The East Wing previously housed the first lady’s offices and a small movie theatre.
Architect Shalom Baranes points at a map on a board during a National Capitol Planning Commission meeting discussing the White House ballroom project. (AP Photo)
Architect Shalom Baranes, who took over the project late last year, told the commission that the main ballroom would be about 22,000 square feet and designed to seat around 1,000 guests. He said the administration was not considering expanding the capacity further, despite earlier suggestions that it could host up to 1,300 people.
Baranes said the total area of the rebuilt East Wing, including two floors and the ballroom, would be just over 89,000 square feet. A two-storey colonnade would connect the White House’s East Room to the new ballroom.
He also said the administration was studying a one-storey addition to the West Wing colonnade “to restore a sense of symmetry” to the White House complex. The West Wing houses the Oval Office and the press briefing room.
Addressing concerns about the size of the project, Baranes said the new structure would be the same height as the existing building. When asked whether the height of the ballroom could be reduced, he said that was “not impossible”.
The plan has drawn criticism from preservation groups, who say tearing down the East Wing harms the historic character of the White House and risks overpowering the main residence. A federal judge, however, said last month he was not inclined to immediately stop the project while hearing a lawsuit that argues the move abuses presidential authority.
Trump’s aides say no approval was required for the demolition but that formal clearance is needed for the new construction. The White House submitted applications to both the NCPC and the Commission of Fine Arts in December.
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The NCPC is chaired by Will Scharf, Trump’s White House staff secretary. Scharf said the public would be allowed to comment on the project at a later meeting.
Architect Shalom Baranes points at a map on a board during a National Capitol Planning Commission meeting discussing the White House ballroom project, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo)
While two commissioners raised concerns about the scale of the ballroom, most expressed broad support. Scharf argued that a permanent ballroom was needed to host visiting world leaders.
“When the president of the United States flies to the United Kingdom, he’s hosted at Windsor Castle,” Scharf said. “When the king comes to the United States, more likely than not he will be hosted in a tent on the South Lawn with porta potties.”
US presidents have long hosted large state dinners in temporary tents on White House grounds.
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Josh Fisher, the White House director of management and administration, said the decision to demolish and rebuild the East Wing was based on ageing roofs, water leaks and outdated electrical systems, making reconstruction the most cost-effective option. Trump has said he wants the ballroom completed before his term ends in three years.
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Architect Shalom Baranes points at a rendering on a board during a National Capitol Planning Commission meeting discussing the White House ballroom project, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo) 
