White House makeover: Trump reveals Mar-a-Lago-inspired ballroom worth $200 million

Washington, DC: In one of the most ambitious changes to the White House in modern history, President Donald Trump is set to construct a massive new ballroom on the executive mansion grounds, marking the largest structural addition in over 100 years.

The $200 million project, which will be financed by Trump himself and private donors, is scheduled to break ground this September. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the expansive structure will span 90,000 square feet and accommodate up to 650 guests.

“For 150 years, presidents, administrations and White House staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex,” Leavitt said during a press briefing on Thursday.

Trump, a former real estate mogul, said the project reflects his personal taste and vision for the historic estate.

“There's never been a president that was good at ballrooms,” said the 79-year-old president. “I'm good at building things, and we'll get it built quickly and on time. It'll be beautiful.”

Design draws from Mar-a-Lago and Turnberry

Inspired by his own luxury properties, the new ballroom will borrow architectural elements from Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland and the opulent Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Renderings show a neoclassical white façade with tall windows and prominent columns, echoing the style of the main White House building.

The addition will replace the East Wing, traditionally used as office space for the First Lady, and is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s second term in January 2029.

The ballroom will serve as a permanent venue for official receptions, including state dinners for visiting dignitaries. Previously, such events have required temporary structures like large outdoor tents on the White House lawn.

Redesigning the White House in Trump’s style

This project adds to a series of modifications Trump has introduced to personalise the White House. The Oval Office has already undergone changes under his direction, now featuring gold accents throughout from the presidential seal on the ceiling to ornate fireplace decorations.

Trump has also altered the historic Rose Garden, replacing parts of its iconic lawn with paved areas, reportedly inspired by Mar-a-Lago’s open-air patios. Two oversized American flags now fly prominently outside the residence.

While presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman oversaw notable renovations in the early and mid-20th century, Trump’s planned ballroom marks the most visible and stylistically transformative expansion since those eras.

With AFP inputs