The White House defended the October demolition of the East Wing, arguing that structural instability, chronic water intrusion, mold and obsolete systems made renovation impractical and more costly than rebuilding. Officials presented detailed plans for a 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom—now estimated at $400 million and expanded to seat up to 999 guests—at a National Capital Planning Commission meeting. Commissioners raised questions about scale, ceiling height (38–40 ft) and why demolition preceded full review; the National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to halt construction. The administration says the ballroom will reduce reliance on tents, speed visitor access and be completed before January 2029.
White House Says East Wing 'Unsalvageable' as Officials Defend $400M, 90,000‑Sq‑Ft Ballroom Plan
Architect Shalom Baranes shows elevation drawings for a new $400 million ballroom at the White House to members of the National Capital Planning Commission on January 08, 2026 in Washington, DC. / Credit: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
The White House on Thursday offered its most detailed public explanation to date for the October demolition of the East Wing, saying severe structural decay, chronic water intrusion, mold contamination and obsolete systems made renovation impractical. Officials presented plans for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom to the National Capital Planning Commission and defended the decision to demolish and rebuild as the most economical long-term solution.
Why Officials Say Demolition Was Necessary
Josh Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, told commissioners that a cost analysis showed demolition and reconstruction would provide "the lowest total cost of ownership and most effective long-term strategy." He listed multiple problems with the former East Wing: unstable colonnade supports, roofs that had exceeded their service life, inadequate foundations for required upgrades, chronic water intrusion, accelerated deterioration and mold contamination. Fisher added that the electrical infrastructure was obsolete, undersized and not compliant with current code, and that some facilities failed to meet ADA and Secret Service requirements.
"The colonnade was structurally unstable. The roof systems had exceeded their service life, and the underpinnings were not sufficient to support the necessary upgrades," Fisher said.
Design, Size And Public Concerns
Architect Shalom Baranes and other project officials described a design that would add a second story to the colonnade outside the West Wing so that the rooflines of the White House and the new ballroom "will match exactly." The project also calls for a new visitors' entry complex intended to speed guest access and eliminate reliance on tents and temporary structures for large events.
Commissioners raised several concerns during the public presentation. Phil Mendelson, chairman of the D.C. Council and a planning commissioner, questioned the ballroom's scale and asked whether the proposed 38–40 foot (11.5–12 meter) ceiling height could be reduced. Officials said the figure was not final. Mendelson also asked why the full project was not presented before demolition began; Fisher said some construction aspects were considered "top secret," and Will Scharf, the senior White House aide overseeing the project, noted that planning commissions do not always have jurisdiction over site work and demolition prior to formal review.
Timeline, Cost And Legal Challenges
The White House first announced plans in July for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the east side, initially estimated at $200 million and intended to seat about 650 guests. The plan expanded—the administration later raised capacity to 999 people—and in October the two-story East Wing was demolished. In December the White House revised the cost estimate to $400 million and submitted formal plans to the National Capital Planning Commission.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt construction, alleging the administration proceeded without completing required independent reviews, congressional approvals and public comment. Commissioners were allowed to ask questions at Thursday's session; a more formal review with public testimony and votes is expected in the spring, with the commission's next meeting scheduled for Feb. 5.
Defense Of The Project
Scharf defended the need for a dedicated, permanent event space. He said the White House has relied on temporary tents for large state functions and that a permanent ballroom would improve visitor experience and security. Recalling a visit to Windsor Castle, Scharf argued that without the new space, major diplomatic events could be held in tents on the south lawn.
"More likely than not, he will be hosted in a tent on the south lawn with porta-potties," Scharf said, underscoring the administration's rationale for a permanent facility.
The White House says the project would be paid for with private donations, including contributions from the president, and aims to finish construction before the end of the president's term in January 2029. The administration also said the president recently purchased marble and onyx for the ballroom at his own expense; the cost was not disclosed.
Joe Walsh and Sophia Vlahakis contributed to this report.
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