White House considering "one-storey addition to the West Wing" with updated ballroom plans

Architect Shalom Baranes has presented an updated, "more-graceful" design of the proposed White House ballroom and suggested adding a storey to the West Wing for symmetry.

Baranes explained that, after taking over the project from original architect McCrery Architects, his studio will build upon the previous scheme. Baranes plans include placing a 22,000-square-foot (2,043-square-metre) ballroom at a lower level to match the exact height of the White House's central pavilion.

Baranes presented a site plan, interior plans, and elevations of the proposed design in a National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) meeting on Thursday, which was live-streamed to the public.

The East Wing proposal will reach approximately 51 feet high (15.54 metres), while the ballroom will feature 30 to 40-foot high ceilings (nine to 12 metres), according to Baranes.

"A modest one-story addition to the West Wing colonnade"

Barane's said that in the interest of symmetry, a second storey may be added to the West Wing to match the increased height of a proposed East Wing colonnade.

"This scheme does require a two-story colonnade, connecting the East Room in the White House to the new ballroom," said Baranes. "We believe it's appropriate to evaluate this condition within the context of the broader White House campus."

"The White House is therefore considering the idea of a modest one-storey addition to the West Wing colonnade, which would serve to restore a sense of symmetry around the original central pavilion."

The drawings show the "two-storey" colonnade running into the East Wing building from the White House. The East Wing building itself is wrapped in a classical arcade on its second storey, which covers eight large, arched windows that look into the ballroom.

A facade of smaller, rectangular windows is pictured below along the building's first level. This lower, 89,000 square-foot level will contain auxiliary spaces to serve the ballroom and a new office for the First Lady, who traditionally holds an office in the East Wing.

It will also reportedly hold a movie theatre.

Multiple grand stairs will lead to the building, while visitors will be able to enter the building directly under two porticos, one which extends far into the White House lawn.

"Rationalising" the White House

Foyers are located on either level at the end of the colonnade, while the remaining program spreads forward into the length of the building.

The architect also said that the previous layout of the East Wing was "labyrinthian in character" and that the new scheme will serve to "rationalise" the building.

"One could generously describe the current functioning of the White House support areas, such as loading, waste handling, general deliveries and food service as being quite labyrinthian in character," said Baranes. "And I think that's a kind description."

"The proposed re-modernisation seeks to rationalise these functions in a manner that will relieve the stress by increasing connectivity, operational efficiency and by enhancing overall security. The changes will allow the White House to be experienced and to age, I think, in a much more graceful way over time."

NCPC Commissioner William Scharf also stressed the importance of the East Wing ballroom as a new space to host visiting dignitaries, as the current White House puts forth "not a good look for the United States".

"I think it's notable that when the President of the United States of America flies to the United Kingdom, he's hosted at Windsor Castle," said Scharf.

"And when next year, the king of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, comes to the United States, more likely than not he will be hosted in a tent on the South Lawn with porta-potties. That, to me, is not a good look for the United States of America."

"Disturbing", said commissioner

"There is a real programmatic need for a building like this."

The proposed East Wing building will sit in the same footprint as the McCrery Architects proposals, as the location and placement is ideal for access from the East Room, according to Baranes, who said he and McCrary Architects both studied the site "fairly extensively".

He also said that while there's "been excavation work" and "some foundation work", the scheme "all depends on schedule and money" as it's further refined.

DC commissioner Phil Mendelson pushed back on the building's proposed size, calling it "disturbing" and "overwhelming". Others expressed concerns over safety, clearance design and ADA accessibility, while a delegate for the Department of the Interior said it supports the plan with "no reservations".

A "more detailed and fully developed submission" is set to be proposed at a February NCPC meeting.

President Donald Trump released plans for the White House ballroom project in July 2025 led by McCrery Architects. In October 2025, the East Wing was demolished.

Since then, James McCrery was removed as the architect in favour of Shalom Baranes Associates, while the National Park Service conducted an environmental assessment that deemed the demolition acceptable. Dezeen recently rounded up everything to know about the project.

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