WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has announced an ambitious $200 million expansion of the White House, selecting Clark Construction as the lead builder for the project.
The centerpiece of the expansion will be a new State Ballroom — a massive 90,000-square-foot event space designed to host official gatherings, state dinners, and large ceremonies without the need for temporary outdoor tents.
According to the White House, the ballroom will seat up to 650 guests, more than triple the capacity of the East Room, the current largest event space in the Executive Mansion.
“The expansion will allow for official gatherings and state functions to be held without setting up large outdoor tents,” the White House said in its announcement.
Construction is slated to begin September 2025 and is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s current term.
In a move that distinguishes this project from past federal renovations, the White House said it will be privately funded — with donations coming from Trump himself and other supporters.
Both the U.S. Secret Service and the National Park Service will be involved in the design review and security planning to ensure the expansion meets historic preservation standards and modern protection requirements.
Clark Construction, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, will oversee the build. The firm operates across the nation and maintains four Virginia offices in McLean, Richmond, Lorton, and Sterling.
When contacted by The Center Square to confirm its role, Clark Construction verified its involvement by phone but had not issued a public statement at the time of publication.
The architectural work will be led by McCrery Architects, known for classical and traditional design, while AECOM will manage the engineering components.
The ballroom will be built on the site of the current East Wing, which dates back to 1902. A second story was added in 1942, and the last major White House structural overhaul took place during President Harry Truman’s administration.
The White House said the design will maintain the classical style of the original structure, ensuring the new addition blends seamlessly with the mansion’s iconic look.
Large-scale White House expansions are rare. Past improvements have typically focused on maintenance, security upgrades, and interior refurbishments rather than adding entirely new spaces.
This project marks one of the largest square-footage additions in modern history and signals a shift toward accommodating larger, more elaborate state functions.
White House officials have indicated they will continue to release updates as the project moves forward, including renderings and construction progress reports.
Originally reported by Shirleen Guerra in The Center Square.
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