President Donald Trump revealed to NBC on 13/9 that the new ballroom under construction will have a capacity of 900 people.
"We made it a little bigger. This will be a top ballroom, arguably second to none in the world," Trump said in a brief phone interview.
In a press briefing on the South Lawn of the White House this weekend, Trump also revealed that trucks had begun delivering materials and construction had commenced. He added that several US presidents over the past 150 years have desired a ballroom for the building.
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A rendering of the 0 million ballroom being built at the White House. Photo: McCrery Architects |
A rendering of the $200 million ballroom being built at the White House. Photo: McCrery Architects
According to the plan announced in July, the ballroom was originally planned to accommodate 650 guests. The White House estimates the construction cost at around $200 million and said Trump will personally contribute funds along with support from private donors. The president is also directly involved in the design process and project oversight.
This is considered the biggest change to the White House's appearance since the East Wing was expanded under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942. The new structure is located in the East Wing, which houses the first lady's office and staff.
The White House press office emphasized that the construction process will not demolish any historical structures, but will only temporarily relocate offices during construction. Currently, the largest room in the White House, known as the East Room, can only accommodate about 200 guests.
According to the White House, the more than 8,300 m2 ballroom will allow for large-scale diplomatic and national events to be held indoors, instead of requiring outdoor tents. Trump has previously commented that outdoor tented events are "not suitable for hosting heads of state and distinguished guests."
"President Trump is a natural builder and has exceptional taste. He is committed to creating a magnificent ballroom that will serve future administrations and generations of Americans," said White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Chief architect Jim McCrery, director of McCrery Architects, the firm in charge of the design, said the project will combine classic features with modern amenities. He commented that many US presidents have faced challenges hosting large-scale events in the White House, as the building has remained largely unchanged since the Harry Truman era, and therefore needs modernization while preserving its historical value.
Thanh Danh (NBC, Newsweek)
