President Donald Trump has unveiled updated plans for the renovation of the East Wing ballroom at the White House, featuring several significant design changes. These modifications received approval from the Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday, a group known for its alignment with Trump’s administration. The finalized designs have also been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, with a meeting scheduled for March 5, 2026, where further approval is anticipated.
Key Design Changes
One of the most notable adjustments involves the removal of a triangular pediment from the south portico. Earlier designs presented by architect Shalom Baranes included pediments on both the east and south porticoes. The east portico will retain its pediment, which is approximately four feet taller than the executive residence’s roof. Critics have expressed concerns that this could overshadow the existing structure.
The updated plans also feature an increase in the number of arched windows on the ballroom level, rising from eight to nine. Changes to the first-floor windows include additional doorways that will lead to a newly designed East Wing garden.
A New Garden and Pathway Adjustments
For the first time, the renderings provide details about a garden that will replace the former Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, which was dismantled during the East Wing renovations. The new garden design includes a grand staircase leading from the East Colonnade and stone-paved paths connecting it to the first floor of the new East Wing. According to the plans, this garden will be larger than its predecessor and will feature a circular brick area and trees that have been replanted from the old garden. The fountain from the previous garden will also be reinstated.
In response to the size of the proposed East Wing, the main pathway around the South Lawn has been redesigned to eliminate its previous symmetry. The overall footprint of the building remains the same as earlier plans submitted in January, indicating that Trump has opted against scaling down the project.
The architects previously mentioned that there is a consideration for a “modest one-story addition” to the West Colonnade, aimed at restoring symmetry to the original central pavilion. As these plans progress, they continue to generate a mix of anticipation and criticism, reflecting the ongoing public interest in the White House’s architectural transformations.
