A federal planning committee will vote Thursday on President Donald Trump’s proposal to build a massive ballroom at the White House, a plan that critics say would dramatically alter the size and historic layout of the presidential residence.
The National Capital Planning Commission will consider a proposal for an approximately 90,000-square-foot expansion to the White House complex that would include a 22,000-square-foot ballroom that could accommodate up to 1,000 guests. The project has been approved by the United States Council of Fine Arts.
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Trump first announced the ballroom last summer, saying the White House lacked suitable space for large formal events and often relied on makeshift tents set up on the grounds to host large receptions and state events.
The project has drawn criticism from preservationists and architects, who say the scale of the expansion will overwhelm the historic mansion. David Scott Parker, an architect and board member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said the proposed ballroom is significantly larger than necessary and should be scaled back. Associated Press.
Parker noted that the ballroom is 22,000 square feet, exceeding the industry standard of seating 1,000 people. At a standard of about 15 square feet per person, the space could be almost half the size, he said.
The plan also includes a 4,000-square-foot south-facing porch and staircase. Parker criticized the feature as unnecessary and said it would not provide guests with direct inside access. He was also concerned that the design would not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, although the White House said the ballroom would meet federal accessibility requirements.
Construction preparations are already underway. According to reports, the East Wing of the White House was demolished in October with little advance notice, and underground work on the site has already begun. Government officials say above-ground construction will not begin before April.
Preservation advocates also warn that the new structure could disrupt the visual balance of the White House complex. The main residence is approximately 55,000 square feet, meaning the proposed extension will be much larger than the historic building itself.
Parker and other critics said the project could also block longstanding views along Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, a view that dates back to Pierre L’Enfant’s original plans for Washington.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently sought to temporarily halt the project, arguing that the federal review process was not properly followed. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon denied the request last week, although the group said it planned to file an amended lawsuit.
Thursday’s National Capital Planning Commission meeting will be held online, with more than 100 people registered to speak and thousands of public comments submitted ahead of the vote.
