Overview
- The White House said Washington firm Shalom Baranes Associates has joined as lead architect for the new ballroom, with original designer James McCrery described by officials as staying on as a consultant despite reports he was replaced.
- NCPC chairman Will Scharf said formal construction plans are expected to be submitted this month, noting the commission reviews construction but not prior demolition.
- Trump’s ballroom is currently described at roughly 90,000 square feet with capacity near 999 to 1,000 seats and an updated price tag around $300 million that the White House says will be privately funded.
- Demolition of the East Wing in October and ongoing site work proceeded before any submission to federal planners, fueling preservation and process concerns.
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced the No Palaces Act to require NCPC review before demolition and to mandate congressional approval for privately funded White House construction projects.