Overview
- The White House said Shalom Baranes Associates will lead the next phase of the project, with original architect James McCrery staying on as a consultant.
- National Capital Planning Commission chair Will Scharf said he was told the administration will submit the ballroom plans in December.
- The project has expanded from an initial 90,000 square feet and about 650 seats at $200 million to roughly $300 million with capacity approaching 1,000, according to officials and reports.
- The East Wing was demolished earlier this fall without prior public review, and the administration maintains the NCPC’s authority applies to construction rather than demolition.
- Funding is fully from private donors, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced the No Palaces Act to require NCPC review before demolitions and congressional approval for privately funded White House construction.