New architect hired for Trump's $300 million White House ballroom expansion

The White House has announced the addition of a new architect to oversee President Donald Trumps ambitious $300 million ballroom initiative, officials confirmed Thursday. Shalom Baranes, founder of Shalom Baranes Associates, has joined the project team to help realize what officials describe as Trumps vision for the largest White House expansion since the Oval Office.

Shalom Baranes brings decades of experience shaping the architectural landscape of the nations capital, and his expertise will be invaluable in bringing this project to completion, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said.

Baranes participation was initially reported by The Washington Post. The White House previously engaged James McCrery and his firm for the project, which has already required significant modifications to the East Wing during the summer months. According to a White House official, Baranes is joining as the development enters new phases while McCrery continues to serve as a consultant. This is not a replacement, but rather a passing of the baton, the official explained.

While Trump has revealed conceptual renderings of the ballroom, precise measurements have not been disclosed. The project has grown both in scale and cost, with Trump noting in September that the space will accommodate up to 900 guests. Official plans will soon be submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission.

Originally projected at $200 million, the cost of the ballroom has increased to roughly $300 million, with funding coming entirely from donors, including Trump himself. It will likely be the finest ballroom ever built, and it is being completed at no expense to taxpayers, Trump stated. Comcast Corp., the parent company of NBCUniversal, was listed among the top contributors, though individual contributions remain undisclosed.

Author: Lucas Grant