New Details Revealed in White House East Wing Expansion, Including ‘Grand Stair’ and West Wing Changes

Fresh details are emerging about the Trump administration’s sweeping expansion of the White House East Wing, including a large ballroom, a “grand stair,” and proposed changes to the West Wing Colonnade.

Plans were presented Thursday to the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees federal building projects in Washington. The new design includes a 22,000-square-foot ballroom capable of seating up to 1,000 guests, along with new spaces for utilities, food service, and deliveries. The total expansion would cover roughly 89,000 square feet.

Architect Shalom Baranes, speaking publicly about the project for the first time since joining the team in November, said the design aims to improve operational efficiency, connectivity, and security while maintaining architectural harmony with the historic White House complex. The ballroom’s cornice would match the height of the Executive Mansion and be set back from the north façade, finished in materials painted white to blend in with the existing structure.

The plans also include a new office suite for the first lady and her staff, who were displaced when the East Wing was demolished last fall, as well as a new movie theater. A grand staircase would descend into a foyer connecting major interior spaces.

For the first time, officials also revealed a proposal to add a second story to the West Wing Colonnade, matching a similar two-story colonnade planned for the East Wing. Baranes described the addition as modest and said it would restore symmetry to the White House campus. That portion of the plan is expected to be reviewed at a future hearing.

Some commission members raised concerns about the scale of the expansion. Washington, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said the size and visual impact of the building could overwhelm the historic mansion, particularly when viewed from the Ellipse. Other commissioners echoed concerns about balance, height, and footprint, while requesting more detailed public-facing renderings.

Despite the questions, groundwork for the project is already underway. White House officials said demolition and foundation work needed to proceed to support sensitive and secure infrastructure upgrades, including work related to a Cold War-era bunker beneath the former East Wing.

Above-ground construction is expected to begin as early as April. The project will move through a public comment period before returning to the commission for a final vote. The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to meet again on February 5.

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