A new hand has been chosen to shape the future of the White House ballroom, as President Trump brought on Shalom Baranes Associates to lead the project’s next phase. The Washington, D.C.-based firm will now steer the design, taking the reins from the initial architects, McCrery Architects, who will continue as consultants.
The decision signals a deepening commitment to a vision the President has repeatedly described as creating “the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office.” The ballroom is intended to be a grand space for large gatherings and state visits, a symbol of American hospitality on a monumental scale.
Construction began in October, a dramatic undertaking that necessitated the demolition of a portion of the White House’s historic East Wing. The scale of the project has also grown, with current estimates placing the cost at $300 million – a significant increase from the $200 million initially projected when the plans were first revealed.
The ambitious overhaul isn’t without its challenges, even within the White House walls. The President recently shared a glimpse into the domestic impact of the construction, revealing his wife’s reaction to the constant noise of pile drivers resonating day and night.
Despite the disruption, the President remains resolute in his belief that the ballroom is a long-overdue renovation, asserting it has been needed for a century and a half. He envisions a space that will redefine elegance and grandeur, ultimately becoming “the finest ballroom ever built.”
The administration has stated its intention to complete the project before the end of the current term, promising a spectacular new landmark for the nation’s capital. The project is being entirely privately funded, allowing for a level of ambition rarely seen in White House renovations.
