president Donald Trump He reportedly hired a new architect to take over the design of his $300 million White House ballroom after clashing with his former project leader over the proposed size of the event space.
White House officials confirmed Thursday that Trump has taken over James McCrea IIthe man he handpicked to oversee construction of the 90,000-square-foot expansion, along with his namesake construction firm, Shalom Baranesa designer with experience in government construction.
White House officials strongly denied that McCreary was fired and told the media that he would continue to be involved in the project in an advisory capacity, CNN reported.
“As we begin the transition to the next phase of development of the White House Ballroom, the Administration is pleased to announce that the talented Shalom Baranez has joined the team of experts to realize President Trump’s vision to build the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office – the White House Ballroom,” White House spokesman Davis Inger told the media.
“Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural character of our nation’s capital for decades, and his experience will be a valuable asset to the completion of this project.”
President Donald Trump has reportedly hired a new architect to take over the design of his $300 million White House ballroom after clashing with the former project leader over the proposed size of the event space.
White House officials confirmed Thursday that Trump had replaced James McCrery II, his handpick to oversee construction of the 90,000-square-foot expansion, with Shalom Baranes. (Getty Images)
Construction on the ballroom began in early October when the East Wing of the White House was demolished to make way for the new event space. (Andrew Lydon/Getty Images)
News of McCreary’s replacement comes days after reports first emerged that he and Trump were at odds over the size of a planned ballroom that would be nearly twice the size of the actual White House.
Although the White House dismissed the altercation as a “constructive conversation” between the two in a statement to The Washington Post, rumors continue to circulate that the working relationship between the two is no longer moving forward in a positive way.
CNN reports that “White House officials have complained in recent weeks” that progress on the project has been hampered by disagreements between Trump and McCreary, who is said to have expressed serious concerns that the completed ballroom would dwarf the 55,000-square-foot White House.
Trump first announced plans to equip the White House with its own ballroom in July, when the White House issued a statement confirming that construction on the project would begin in September.
The inspiration behind the proposed ballroom was to create an event space capable of seating over 200 people, with the East Wing able to accommodate official events, which resulted in many grand White House events being held outside in tents.
When the White House shared Trump’s plans for the ballroom, a spokesperson noted that the ballroom would be large enough to accommodate 650 guests, more than three times the number of guests for an East Wing dinner.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, but it is currently unable to host major events honoring world leaders and other nations without installing a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards from the main building entrance,” the statement said.
“The State Ballroom at the White House will be a much-needed and sophisticated expansion, totaling approximately 90,000 square feet of sumptuously designed and meticulously crafted space, with seating for 650 people, a significant increase from the 200-person seating capacity of the White House East Room.”
At the time, McCreary expressed his excitement about joining the project while praising Trump’s renovation of the historic building.
“The modern president faces challenges hosting major events at the White House because the White House has been largely untouched since the president was elected. harry truman,” he said.
News of McCreary’s replacement comes days after reports first emerged that he and Trump were at odds over the size of a planned ballroom that would be nearly twice the size of the actual White House. (Photo by Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images)
McCreary is said to have expressed serious concerns that the completed ballroom would dwarf the 55,000-square-foot White House. (Photo by Eric Lee/Getty Images)
While the White House viewed the altercation as a “constructive conversation” between the two, rumors continue to circulate that the working relationship between the two is no longer moving forward in a positive way. (Photo by Eric Lee/Getty Images)
“I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help deliver this beautiful and necessary renovation of the People’s House while preserving the elegance and historical importance of its classical design.”
However, when news broke that crews had begun demolishing the east wing of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to make room for a ballroom, the project quickly drew a lot of criticism, despite Trump’s previous insistence that the expansion would not interfere with the White House’s existing structure.
“It’s not going to interfere with the current building. No. It’s going to be close to it, but not touching it – and completely respectful of the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he told reporters in July.
The plans are believed to have changed after meetings with architects revealed there was not enough space to accommodate the planned ballroom without destroying the east wing, which has long housed the First Lady’s offices.
In a recent interview with a Fox News host Laura IngrahamThe president defended the project, telling her the East Wing “will look like hell” when it’s demolished and noting that the ballroom will be a grander addition to the White House.
“The east wing is a beautiful, small, small building that was built many years ago and has been renovated, expanded, disbanded, the columns removed – it has nothing to do with the original building,” he said.
“It’s a poor, sad sight and I could have built a ballroom around it, but that’s not the case – we’re building one of the greatest ballrooms in the world.”
The president noted that the cost of the ballroom would be paid for privately, not by taxpayers, and called on numerous wealthy donors to donate to the project.
Trump previously revealed his plans for the space at a White House dinner for donors, saying it would be “one of the best places in the world.”
He also described the new ballroom as having “bulletproof” glass on all four sides and “the color and window shape were completely appropriate”.
Construction has been underway at the White House since Trump began his second term in January, starting with the installation of the Rose Garden lawn. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump announced that lawns would be laid to ensure guests are safer. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
The finished paved area was later filled with tables, chairs and yellow-and-white umbrellas that many pointed out were nearly identical to those used poolside at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Construction on the historic mansion has been underway since Trump took office.
Before construction began on the ballroom, the president was criticized for paving the iconic White House Rose Garden lawn in an effort to make the outdoor event space safer for guests, especially women wearing high heels.
“You know, we use [the Rose Garden] “In a press conference, it doesn’t work because people fall over,” he told Fox News in March. “The terrain can be wet and the soft ground can be a problem for some people. Women wearing high heels just doesn’t work.”
Despite strong opposition to the plans, Trump has continued to redesign the outdoor space, with photos taken in June showing grass having been torn up and replaced with gravel.
The finished paved area was later filled with tables, chairs and yellow-and-white umbrellas that many pointed out were nearly identical to those used poolside at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
As part of the redesign, the rose garden was equipped with a new drainage system to prevent water from pooling in its center.
Work on the historic garden began on June 9, when National Park Service employees began removing a limestone border installed by Trump’s wife. Melania55 years old, during his first term.
The renovation work is progressing quickly, and photos taken on June 17 and 18 show that the entire lawn, as well as several underground telephone poles, were bulldozed before gravel was laid over the entire surface.
Although Trump insists the garden renovation is entirely necessary, the project has sparked a backlash from critics who insist it would be disrespectful to “remove” such an important piece of White House history.
In addition to the White House, the president recently revealed that he wants to build a new monument — a triumphal arch-style arch — near the Lincoln Memorial.
