The White House will start construction on a new banquet hall in September to provide the President of the United States with a larger space for hosting formal events. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced on Thursday that the new White House banquet hall will be a much-needed and elegant addition, covering an area of 90,000 square feet. This new banquet hall will accommodate 650 seated guests, eliminating the need for the White House to set up “huge and unsightly tents” for state banquets and other large-scale events in the future.
The banquet hall will be constructed adjacent to the East Wing of the White House, with an estimated cost of $200 million. Leavitt mentioned the East Wing of the White House will undergo “modernization” during the construction, and offices in that area will be temporarily relocated. The office of First Lady Melania Trump is currently located in the White House East Wing.
Leavitt stated that the $200 million construction cost will be covered by President Trump himself and other donors, without the use of taxpayer money. The U.S. Secret Service will be responsible for necessary security upgrades.
The project is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s term in January 2029.
The Rose Garden is currently a construction site with the grass being completely uprooted. Trump has expressed his desire multiple times for a larger banquet hall within the presidential residence to host formal receptions.
The White House, established in 1800, may witness the largest-scale construction project since President Harry Truman completed a comprehensive renovation of the White House in 1952.
Past U.S. presidents have typically used the current State Dining Room in the White House for events, while the larger East Room is utilized for hosting more distinguished guests. Sometimes, large dinners are even held in temporary tents erected on the South Lawn.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles stated in a Thursday declaration, “President Trump and his administration are fully committed to working with relevant institutions to preserve the unique history of the White House while creating a beautiful banquet hall for future administrations and generations of Americans to enjoy.”