President Donald Trump has tapped Shalom Baranes Associates to lead the next phase of the White House Ballroom project, elevating the renovation as a signature expansion of the executive mansion. The move swaps the lead architect while keeping McCrery Architects on as a consultant, and the privately funded effort has grown in scope and cost as construction proceeds. Officials say the ballroom will host large gatherings and state visits, with a completion target before the end of the president’s term. Comments from the White House and from Mr. Trump himself underscore both pride in the plan and the practical annoyances of work on the grounds.
The White House announced that Shalom Baranes Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based firm, will oversee the ballroom design. This is presented as a strategic upgrade in expertise intended to realize a bold vision for a new ceremonial space at the heart of the presidency. The choice signals a commitment to a lasting architectural statement at the White House that aligns with a conservative respect for grandeur and tradition.
“As we begin to transition into the next stage of development on the White House Ballroom, the Administration is excited to share that the highly talented Shalom Baranes has joined the team of experts to carry out President Trump’s vision on building what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office — the White House Ballroom,” White House Spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement. The announcement emphasizes continuity with past capital architecture while promising modern functionality for statecraft and ceremony. Supporters see it as a reclaiming of institutional stature through private initiative rather than expanded federal spending.
“Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nation’s capital for decades and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project.” That endorsement underscores the administration’s deliberate pick of a firm with deep local roots and a portfolio that speaks to both civic seriousness and aesthetic ambition. For those who prioritize strong American institutions, picking a seasoned architect for a national project is a smart, conservative move.
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McCrery Architects, the original choice for the ballroom design, will stay involved as a consultant, according to officials. That continuity softens the transition and keeps institutional knowledge intact while allowing fresh leadership to shape final plans. It’s a practical arrangement that avoids unnecessary upheaval and preserves expert input from both firms.
Construction began in October, a phase that included the demolition of the historic East Wing to make way for the new addition. The project is privately funded, which the administration highlights as the right approach for preserving taxpayer resources while delivering a first-rate facility. Private funding also reduces political friction and keeps the focus on execution rather than appropriations battles.
The estimated cost of the ballroom has risen to about $300 million, up from an earlier $200 million figure released when the project was unveiled. Cost increases are common in ambitious construction inside a complex historic site, especially one that must meet strict security and protocol requirements. Supporters argue the investment is worthwhile given the venue’s role in diplomacy and national ceremonies.
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President Trump gave a blunt, human update during a recent cabinet meeting, saying, “I wouldn’t say my wife is thrilled.” He added, “She hears pile drivers in the background all day, all night,” capturing the unavoidable disruptions that come with major construction. Still, he framed the project with confidence and a sense of legacy, noting, “I think it’s going to be the finest ballroom ever built.”
The administration says the long-planned addition will be designed to host large gatherings and state visits, and that it will be completed before the end of the president’s term. Those facts reflect an orderly timeline and a focus on tangible results rather than partisan posturing. For conservatives who value institutions and bold private-led initiatives, the White House Ballroom is being positioned as an enduring upgrade to the presidency itself.
