Trump appoints new architect to lead expansive White House ballroom project
US President Donald Trump has selected a new architectural firm to guide the construction of a major ballroom addition to the White House, following reports of internal disagreements over the scale of the project. Shalom Baranes Associates will assume primary responsibility for the design, while the previous architect, James McCrery, will remain involved as a consultant.
The project gained national attention after the East Wing was demolished in October to make room for what the administration has described as a “much needed and exquisite” expansion. Originally envisioned as a 500-guest venue, the planned ballroom has since grown into a 90,000-square-foot space capable of accommodating 1,350 people — a footprint significantly larger than much of the existing White House complex.
According to U.S. media reports, McCrery raised concerns that the elaborate structure might visually overpower the historic residence, which measures 55,000 square feet, and the 40,000-square-foot West Wing. Sources quoted by the Washington Post say McCrery wished to remain on the team to ensure the final design maintained architectural integrity.
A White House spokesman, Davis Ingle, praised the incoming firm, describing Shalom Baranes as a leading force in shaping modern Washington architecture. He said their expertise would help deliver “the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office.”
The ballroom plan, announced in July and funded by Trump and private donors, must still undergo review by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) before construction can proceed. The initiative has drawn scrutiny from preservationists and political critics, who question the decision to demolish a historic wing of the building.
On Thursday, Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced legislation requiring NCPC approval before any historic federal structures can be torn down, arguing that presidents should not be able to remove landmark buildings “without independent oversight or congressional consideration.”
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