President Donald Trump has selected a new architectural firm to take charge of the sweeping White House expansion that includes a planned $300 million ballroom, marking a major shift in the high-profile construction effort.
The project involves a roughly 90,000-square-foot addition that will replace the former East Wing, making it one of the most significant structural changes to the White House in decades. The administration has described the ballroom as a transformative space intended to host large state functions, official ceremonies, and major diplomatic events.
Shalom Baranes Associates, a Washington-based firm known for its extensive work on federal buildings and historic restorations, has been tapped to lead the design going forward. The previous architect will remain involved in a consulting capacity, but all primary design responsibilities have been transferred.
White House officials say the new firm’s experience with high-security federal projects and historically sensitive sites makes it well suited to steer the expansion through its next phase. The redesign is expected to evolve under the new leadership, though core goals for the ballroom remain unchanged.
Construction continues as planners work to keep the project on schedule, with the administration aiming to complete major phases within the current term.