White House ballroom architect says West Wing additions considered for 'symmetry' [View all]

Source: ABC News

January 8, 2026, 5:38 PM


The White House on Thursday presented the latest plans for the East Wing renovation project, the construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, in a public meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission.

The project’s architect, Shalom Baranes, said during the meeting that the White House is considering adding a one-story addition to the West Wing to restore “symmetry” to the complex after the East Wing ballroom project is complete. His comments came after announcing a two-story colonnade would connect the East Room in the White House to the new ballroom.

"The White House is therefore considering the idea of a modest one-story addition to the West Wing colonnade, which would serve to restore a sense of symmetry around the original central pavilion." Baranes also clarified details about the expansion project, telling commissioners the East Wing expansion would include a second floor, and that the new ballroom would have roughly 40-foot ceilings, be roughly 22,000 square feet of the nearly 90,000 square foot project, and be able to accommodate up to 1,000 seated guests.

Phil Mendelson, the Washington City Council Chairman and member of the planning commission, said he felt the East Wing design could appear to be “overwhelming” the existing White House structure. Baranes said the 45,000 square foot project would “exactly” match the height of the White House when completed.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-expected-present-ballroom-construction-plans-1st/story?id=128999044