In today’s construction news, read about the demolition of portions of the East Wing of the White House, which has commenced in preparation for the new ballroom that will be the personal residence of US President Donald Trump. On the other hand, Trump has already redecorated the Oval Office with ostentatious gold furnishings, but the construction that began on Monday is the first structural alteration to the building since 1948.
Part of East Wing Demolished for Trump Ballroom
Original Source: White House begins demolishing part of East Wing for Trump ballroom
The construction of Trump’s new ballroom has led to the demolition of parts of the East Wing.
On Monday, construction workmen demolished large parts of the East Wing’s covered entryway and windows, which Trump said is being “fully modernized.”
Trump previously indicated his $250m (£186m) White House ballroom extension would be “near” the current structure but not replace it.
The current building will remain unaffected. It won’t. It will be located nearby, but it will not touch the existing building, which I love,” Trump stated in July. “My favorite. My favorite place. Love it.”
Trump announced on social media that the construction of the “much-needed” ballroom has begun.
“For more than 150 years, every president has dreamt about having a ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, state visits, etc.,” he said.
He stated “many generous Patriots” are funding the initiative. Since the White House has not identified its funders, their identities remain unknown.
Presidents have lived in the White House for two centuries. The East Wing was built in 1902 and modified in 1942.
The BBC witnessed several pieces of heavy construction equipment, some with US flags, close the East Wing from the south side.
The East Wing is attached to the White House, but Trump stated that it was “completely separate” in his article.
The East Wing’s south-side covered doorway looked like it was being gutted, with concrete rubble and metal cables visible from several hundred meters away.
Conflict and history preservation
While the National Park Service (NPS) manages the White House and its parks, the president has considerable remodeling powers.
Former NPS chief historian Robert K. Sutton told the BBC that White House construction always raises public concern.
“There has been controversy with anything going on related to the White House pretty much since it was built,” he stated.
The NPS has strict construction requirements and reviews. That includes analyzing the project blueprints, architect and design credentials, and prices.
“That hasn’t happened here,” he said.
“This building matters. We don’t know what’s happening at the world’s most significant executive building, which is inappropriate.”
The new ballroom can hold 600 to 900 people, according to Mr. Sutton.
The White House unveiled sketches of the project’s scale and a new interior with hundreds of seats and glittering chandeliers.
It stated that building will begin in September and that Trump had discussed the project with the National Parks Service and US Secret Service.
The Trump administration announced Clark Construction would lead the project with McCrery Architects designing it. The White House said the Secret Service “will provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications” to the building.
“I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to the People’s House while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance,” Jim McCrery of McCrery Architects stated.
Sutton said initiatives like this undergo a thorough review process to guarantee functionality and that the White House retains its distinctive design, stressing that these alterations will outlast administrations and generations.
He expressed concern that the rushed nature of this process could reflect Trump’s approach rather than the country’s heritage.
“It’s always been called the People’s House,” remarked.
Trump has altered the White House this year, including adorning the Oval Office with gold and covering the Rose Garden grass with concrete to add tables and chairs.
Obama to Truman changed things.
The Society of Architectural Historians, a non-profit organization that researches historic building preservation, has also criticized the White House refurbishment.
In a statement last week, the organization said it “expresses extreme worry over the proposed ballroom extensions,” which, it notes, “would be the first major modification to its exterior appearance in the last 83 years (since the East Wing in its current configuration was erected in 1942).
“Therefore, such a significant change to a historic building of this import should follow a rigorous and deliberate design and review process.”
The American Institute of Architects is similarly concerned and wants a transparent project evaluation.
However, Trump is not the first president to designate the edifice.
Obama, who before Trump, modified the White House tennis court to hold basketball games.
Richard Nixon turned the White House pool into the Press Room. In the chamber where presidents swam laps, briefings continue.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt first erected the indoor pool in 1933, using it for weekly exercise after receiving a polio diagnosis.
Gerald Ford installed an outdoor pool in 1975 after it closed.
Before it, Harry Truman gutted and rebuilt the White House from 1948 to 1952. Truman moved from the White House throughout the long project.
Know About Trump’s $250m White House Ballroom Plan
Original Source: What to know about Trump’s plan to build $250m White House ballroom
President Donald Trump began massive demolition of the White House’s East Wing this week to build a new ballroom in the first lady’s domain.
The complex’s first structural alteration since 1948 and the first under Trump, who has decked the Oval Office in gold, began on Monday.
The Associated Press reported that the project proceeded without approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees such operations but is presently closed due to a government shutdown.
Trump announced the new White House member in July and verified it on Truth Social on Monday.
Details about the ballroom plans:
Why is the White House East Wing being demolished?
Trump said on Monday that the East Wing is being rebuilt to add a ballroom. According to the AP, the president had complained about the White House’s inability to entertain national leaders and other key guests. State meals are usually held on White House lawns.
“I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom,” Trump wrote on Monday. He added that the project was being funded privately and would not affect the main White House building, which some have questioned due to the massive renovations.
For over 150 years, every president has wanted a White House ballroom for grand banquets, state visits, etc. I am pleased to be the first President to start this much-needed project at no expense to the American taxpayer!” The president added.
First built in 1902, the East Wing is two stories. Under Rosalynn Carter, it has held the first lady’s office and staff, as well as a foreign dignitary entry, since 1977. It has a big theater and the Graphics and Calligraphy Office, which creates invitations for non-political mansion events. The wing is erected right over the president’s underground bunker.
What will construction cost?
The AP and other US media believe Trump’s ballroom costs $250m. In August, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt estimated it would cost $200m.
Trump has indicated he and private donors will pay, but they have not been identified.
How will the ballroom look?
Leavitt estimates that the new ballroom will accommodate 650 people in 90,000 square feet (8,360 square meters). Reuters claims the new space can hold 999 people.
Most White House functions take place in the 200-person East Room.
Leavitt stated in August that work will finish “long before” Trump’s tenure ends in January 2029. She said offices will be temporarily relocated during “modernization.” Leavitt said, “Nothing will be torn down.”
“It will be beautiful,” Trump declared in July. “The current building won’t be affected. No, it will be near but not touching it. The project is designed to respect the current building, which is my personal favorite. My favorite.”
McCrery Architects in Washington and Clark Construction in Virginia will lead the project. Dallas-based AECOM will engineer.
What White House changes have occurred?
The mansion has undergone many structural changes since 1800 as presidents have tried to customize it.
Some major changes in the past century include:
In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) removed Victorian-style interiors, moved presidential offices from the second floor to the West Wing, and extended the State Dining Room to seat 100 guests from 40. He created a separate East Wing entrance for formal guests.
William Howard Taft (1909-1913) built the first Oval Office and extended the West Wing.
During World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) converted the East Wing from an entryway to a two-story structure to conceal the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC).
Harry Truman (1945-1953) made major adjustments. The inside was destroyed to fix steel beams and concrete floors, leaving only the exterior walls. He also erected the contentious second-floor “Truman Balcony” on the South Portico, which architectural purists said clashed with the mansion’s 16th-century Palladian architecture.
John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy (1961-1963) created the Situation Room and antique-furnished adjacent rooms.
Nixon (1969–1974) refurbished the Situation Room and added a bowling alley.
After Bill Clinton (1993-2001) increased security and internet connectivity, George W. Bush (2001-2009) rebuilt the press briefing room and other historical rooms, including the Abraham Lincoln Bedroom. Barack Obama (2009–2017) installed wi-fi in the White House and West Wing and converted tennis courts into basketball courts.
History of the White House?
The East and West Wings of the White House are 55,000 square feet on six levels. The 18-acre property has 132 rooms, 35 baths, and 28 fireplaces.
Construction began on October 13, 1792, under George Washington and ended on November 1, 1800, under John Adams. Ireland’s parliament, Leinster House, inspired the design created by Irish architect James Hoban.
In 1814, British forces set fire to the mansion during the War of 1812. It was quickly repaired. The White House has housed every US president since Adams.
Summary of today’s construction news
In summary, the president has considerable remodeling powers while the National Park Service (NPS) manages the White House and its parks. Former NPS chief historian Robert K. Sutton told the BBC that White House construction always raises public concern. Trump has altered the White House this year, including adorning the Oval Office with gold and covering the Rose Garden grass with concrete to add tables and chairs.
On the other hand, the new ballroom, according to Leavitt, will be around 90,000 square feet (8,360 square meters) and can accommodate around 650 people. According to Reuters, the new chamber has a capacity of 999 people. The East Room, which can accommodate about 200 people, is currently the site of most White House events.
