White House considers second floor addition to West Wing amid East Wing ballroom rebuild
WASHINGTON, DC: The Trump administration is exploring a potential expansion of the West Wing as part of ongoing renovations tied to the construction of a massive new ballroom in the East Wing, officials said this week. During a briefing to the National Capital Planning Commission, architects suggested that adding a second floor to the West Wing could help restore symmetry to the historic complex.
White House architect Shalom Baranes, overseeing the East Wing ballroom project, emphasized that the proposal is still conceptual and has not undergone formal review. “We’re considering the idea of a modest one-story addition to the West Wing," Baranes said. “The reason to think about that is so that we would reinstate the symmetry around the central pavilion of the White House.”
WH Architect: I did mention the potential for a one-story addition to the West Wing. The reason for that is so that we would reinstate the symmetry of the White House. pic.twitter.com/5kk8riLYYt
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 8, 2026
West Wing expansion floated as a matter of architectural balance
The proposal was discussed Thursday during the National Capital Planning Commission briefing, where architects provided updates on the East Wing ballroom project. Baranes explained that the modest one-story West Wing addition is being considered purely for architectural balance and symmetry.
Baranes added, “We haven’t looked at it. We have not looked at that at all yet. We hope to do so in the future.”
For first time White House publicly reveals plans for President Trump’s controversial $400 Mil two-story, 89,000 sq ft, 1,000 seat East Wing ballroom. Architect says to even out new, larger footprint White House also plans to add 2nd level to West Wing as part of future project. pic.twitter.com/Wrmws6wcrU
— Eric Flack (@EricFlackTV) January 8, 2026
East Wing ballroom plans include first lady office and theater
Construction continues on the East Wing, where the Trump administration is moving forward with a large-scale ballroom addition that has drawn political and preservationist scrutiny.
Baranes outlined the planned features of the rebuilt East Wing, including a new office for the first lady, a movie theater, and a large banquet and event space for official functions, according to Bloomberg. He replaced architect James McCrery earlier this year, months after demolition work had already begun. The privately funded project carries an estimated cost of $400 million and is expected to be completed by 2028.
Legal challenges and preservation concerns surround renovation
The East Wing project has faced opposition from preservation groups. In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that construction began without required approvals or public input.
The organization argued the project moved forward “without seeking approval from Congress; without requesting review and approval from the federal commissions charged with oversight of development in the nation’s capital; without conducting the required environmental studies; and without allowing the public any opportunity for input.”
A federal judge denied the request for a temporary restraining order, allowing construction to continue after White House officials pledged to conduct federal review processes retroactively. A hearing on a preliminary injunction is scheduled for next week.
Federal review finds no major environmental impact
Last month, the National Park Service released a report concluding that the East Wing ballroom project would have “no significant impact” on the historic White House grounds. That finding strengthened the administration’s position as it pressed ahead with renovations, despite ongoing concerns from preservation groups.
