Big Picks for $200m White House Ballroom Deal

The White House has appointed American contractor Clark Construction and global engineering giant AECOM to lead the $200 million ballroom construction at its historic residence.

Set to begin in September, the project, whose team also includes Washington, D.C.-based McCrery Architects, aims to host large-scale events without relying on temporary tents.

Its completion will fulfil a long desire of President Trump, who, in 2016 while on the campaign trail during Barack Obama’s administration, offered to contribute $100 million towards the construction of a new ballroom for the White House to use for hosting events.

The new ballroom measuring 90,000 square feet will be built alongside a modernised East Wing, which houses the offices of the First Lady and other key White House posts. 

It will offer seating for around 650 guests, which is more than triple the capacity of the existing East Room.

According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, this expansion will eliminate the need for “large and unsightly tents” that are often erected to accommodate state dinners and major gatherings.

The design of the Trump White House ballroom echoes the classical architecture of the residence, featuring ornate columns, grand chandeliers and interiors designed to match the historic setting.

Clark Construction will lead the project, drawing on decades of experience with complex government work. AECOM will handle engineering and systems to meet modern security needs, while McCrery Architects will preserve the White House’s historic design.

Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said: “The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organisations to preserve the special history of the White House, while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future administrations and generations of Americans to come.”

RELATED: Public Uproar Over Trump’s White House Demolition

Construction is slated to finish well before the end of Trump’s term in January 2029, signalling a relatively swift turnaround for what will be one of the most significant expansions of the White House in recent memory.

Leslie Greene Bowman, a former member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, emphasised the importance of balancing innovation with preservation: “The White House has a history of expansion to accommodate the changing needs of the nation’s chief executive. I hope and trust that any proposed changes will honour and preserve the existing walls that have witnessed so much history.”

With the combined expertise of Clark Construction, AECOM, and McCrery Architects, the White House ballroom promises to be a striking addition — delivering a grand, modern space while respecting the architectural heritage of America’s most iconic residence.

Join 15,000+ pros getting our weekly digest of news and insights.