Trump hires new architect for White House ballroom

December 4, 2025

President Donald Trump has replaced the lead architect on his White House ballroom construction project, bringing in Shalom Baranes Associates while keeping the previous architect James McCrery as a consultant. The ballroom project has grown significantly since its inception, expanding from a 500-person capacity venue to one accommodating 1,350 guests in a 90,000 square foot space that would dwarf both the main White House residence and West Wing. McCrery reportedly had concerns that the ornate structure would overshadow the existing White House complex.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump (project initiator)
James McCrery (previous architect, now consultant)
Shalom Baranes Associates (newly hired architectural firm)
White House staff and officials
Conservation groups
Senator Richard Blumenthal and Trump's political opponents
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC)
Private donors funding the project

What action is being taken

Shalom Baranes Associates is taking over the project as the new lead architect
James McCrery is remaining on as a consultant
Senator Richard Blumenthal is introducing the "No Palaces Act" bill
The construction plan is being assessed by the National Capital Planning Commission

Why it matters

This matters because the proposed 90,000 square foot ballroom would be larger than either the main White House residence (55,000 sq ft) or the West Wing (40,000 sq ft), fundamentally altering the architectural character and scale of one of America's most iconic and historic buildings. The project raises questions about presidential authority over federal historic sites, private influence through donor funding, and the appropriate balance between modernization and preservation of national landmarks. The controversy has sparked legislative action to establish clearer oversight mechanisms for future modifications to historic federal properties.

What's next

The construction plan will be assessed by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) before building can begin
New teams will need to be hired at different stages of the construction
Senator Blumenthal's "No Palaces Act" bill will go through the legislative process

Read full article from source: BBC