December 5, 2025 | 09:42 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US President Donald Trump has selected a new architect for the White House's new ballroom, a spokesperson said late on Thursday.
This comes after reported disagreement with James McCrey, the original architect chosen to plan the $300 million (€258 million) ballroom, one of which being the US leader's wish to increase its size.
Trump — previously a property mogul — was reportedly also concerned that McCrey's firm would not be able to meet deadlines.
Nevertheless, McCrey is set to stay part of the project as a "valuable consultant," a source familiar with the matter told the AFP news agency
The new architect chosen by Trump to lead the project, Shalom Baranes, has "shaped the architectural identity of our nation's capital for decades," the White House said. It added that Baranes will join a team of experts to "carry out President Trump's vision."
Baranes' firm was responsible for various projects across Washington DC, including the renovation of the Pentagon after a plane had crashed into the building as part of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Gold decorations, patio among Trump's other changes
The White House's entire East Wing has been demolished in order for the project to take place, with Trump saying the ballroom will have a capacity of 1,000 people.
Trump said the project will be privately funded in its entirety thanks to donations companies and wealthy individuals.
Critics have voiced concern that the new ballroom could overshadow the other parts of the White House, including the parts in which the president lives, and that the plan has not yet been publicly scrutinized.
Apart from the ballroom — the most significant change to the globally known landmark made by Trump — the president also installed gold decorations across the Oval Office, as well as paving the main part of the Rose Garden lawn, turning it into a patio.
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