New details have emerged about US President Donald Trump’s plan to redesign the East Wing of the White House, revealing which rooms will be demolished, expanded, or repurposed as part of the ongoing modernization project.
According to reports from The New York Times and ABC News, Trump’s renovation blueprint includes tearing down the section of the East Wing that houses the First Lady’s offices, several administrative workspaces, and visitor areas. The redesigned layout will make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, nearly eight times the current East Wing’s size of around 12,000 square feet.
The East Wing, which connects to the main White House through colonnades, was first built in 1902 and expanded in 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It traditionally serves as the public entry point for state guests and houses the First Lady’s suite, event coordination offices, and the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) bunker below ground.
As per The New York Times, the new plans call for a “complete modernisation” of the structure, including new security infrastructure and upgraded technology. The White House reportedly concluded that full demolition would be “cheaper and more structurally sound” than an addition.
Citing sources, CBS News reported that the revamped East Wing will feature reconfigured offices, conference areas, and screening rooms, while the First Lady’s office suite may be relocated elsewhere within the White House complex.
Trump has said the renovation will “pay total respect to the existing building,” but preservationists remain unconvinced. The National Trust for Historic Preservation urged the administration to pause demolition work, calling the East Wing a “core part of America’s architectural heritage.”
Despite criticism, construction crews have begun tearing down sections of the East Wing. A White House official told ABC News that detailed blueprints will be submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission “at the appropriate time.”
When complete, the new wing is expected to include state-of-the-art facilities for large-scale events, expanded guest access, and enhanced emergency systems, part of what Trump calls a “historic restoration for the future of the White House.”
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