WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House confirmed Thursday that construction of a new $200 million ballroom is set to begin this September, marking the first major structural addition to the Executive Mansion in decades. Officials say the new space will be ready for use before President Donald Trump’s term concludes in early 2029.

The large ballroom project represents the latest transformation of the historic “people’s house” since Trump returned to the Oval Office in January. Past presidents have added or renovated rooms, but this is the first new construction since the Truman balcony was built in the mid-20th century.

In recent months, Trump has put his personal design stamp on the residence, adding golden accents, cherubs, and towering flagpoles to the north and south lawns. Crews are also finishing work on replacing the iconic Rose Garden’s lawn with stone, a controversial project that has drawn both praise and criticism.

Trump has frequently voiced frustration about the limited capacity of the current White House event spaces. “The White House doesn’t have enough room for the size of events we host today,” he’s argued, pointing out that state dinners often spill out into temporary tents on the South Lawn to handle large guest lists. The East Room, the mansion’s largest indoor venue, can seat about 200 people — far short of what Trump envisions for high-profile gatherings.

The planned ballroom will span 90,000 square feet — nearly the size of two football fields — and will replace the East Wing, which houses offices for the first lady and other staff. Those offices will be relocated during the construction phase. Once complete, the ballroom will seat up to 650 guests, allowing the White House to host major state events, galas, and official receptions under one roof.

“President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail,” White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in a statement announcing the project. She added that Trump and his team are “fully committed” to preserving the mansion’s legacy while expanding its capabilities: “We will 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.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that message during Thursday’s press briefing, revealing that Trump and other donors have pledged to raise the estimated $200 million needed for the build. However, she did not disclose who those additional donors are.

Leavitt displayed renderings of the planned ballroom for reporters, which are also available on the White House’s official website.

The project is expected to draw both logistical challenges and political scrutiny. Preservation groups have often resisted major alterations to the Executive Mansion, and questions remain about how the historic structure will be protected during demolition of the East Wing and the new build.

Despite that, the administration says it will coordinate closely with preservation agencies to ensure that the addition respects the White House’s architectural heritage while providing a modern venue for official events.

Once completed, the new ballroom will stand as a lasting marker of Trump’s imprint on the White House — adding a grand venue that could reshape how future administrations host global leaders and the American public alike.

Originally reported by Darlene Superville in Central Oregon Daily.