Focus on the BIG picture.
Tuesday, Mar 03, 2026
Outside the box.
Trump Taps Veteran D.C. Architect Shalom Baranes for Contested White House Ballroom Project
Shalom Baranes replaces James McCrery amid escalating scale, cost and preservation concerns over White House East Wing rebuild
President Donald Trump has officially replaced the original architect for his planned White House ballroom with veteran Washington designer Shalom Baranes, a move that amplifies tension over the expansion’s size, cost and impact on the historic residence.
The change — unveiled in early December 2025 — comes as the project surges ahead following October’s demolition of the East Wing.
Shalom Baranes, whose firm has shaped much of Washington’s skyline, will now lead the design efforts for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom reportedly capable of hosting nearly 1,000 people.
The previous architect, James McCrery II of McCrery Architects, stepped aside after apparent disagreements over the project’s ballooning scope.
McCrery remains attached as a consultant, but Baranes’ appointment signals a new phase of execution amid intense public scrutiny and regulatory limbo.
The restructuring follows a three-month construction push that saw the East Wing torn down — a decision that drew immediate objections from preservationists and lawmakers who argue that the expansion dwarfing the historic core could irreversibly alter the character of the White House.
With plans yet to undergo full review by the National Capital Planning Commission, the project has nonetheless advanced on the basis of private funding, with the White House citing support from major donors.
The switch in architects comes at a delicate moment.
Critics point out that the ballroom — once envisaged as a modest 500-seat addition — has swelled into a 90,000-square-foot complex with a seating capacity nearly triple that figure.
Opponents question whether Baranes, despite his credentials and experience, can reconcile the demands of grandeur with respect for the White House’s symbolic heritage.
Supporters within the administration, by contrast, frame the appointment as a demonstration of serious commitment to delivery.
The White House announced that formal designs will be filed with oversight bodies later this month, setting the stage for the next legal and architectural milestones.
As the drama unfolds, the project remains a battleground over presidential legacy, architectural integrity and the evolving vision of America’s most iconic residence.
The change — unveiled in early December 2025 — comes as the project surges ahead following October’s demolition of the East Wing.
Shalom Baranes, whose firm has shaped much of Washington’s skyline, will now lead the design efforts for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom reportedly capable of hosting nearly 1,000 people.
The previous architect, James McCrery II of McCrery Architects, stepped aside after apparent disagreements over the project’s ballooning scope.
McCrery remains attached as a consultant, but Baranes’ appointment signals a new phase of execution amid intense public scrutiny and regulatory limbo.
The restructuring follows a three-month construction push that saw the East Wing torn down — a decision that drew immediate objections from preservationists and lawmakers who argue that the expansion dwarfing the historic core could irreversibly alter the character of the White House.
With plans yet to undergo full review by the National Capital Planning Commission, the project has nonetheless advanced on the basis of private funding, with the White House citing support from major donors.
The switch in architects comes at a delicate moment.
Critics point out that the ballroom — once envisaged as a modest 500-seat addition — has swelled into a 90,000-square-foot complex with a seating capacity nearly triple that figure.
Opponents question whether Baranes, despite his credentials and experience, can reconcile the demands of grandeur with respect for the White House’s symbolic heritage.
Supporters within the administration, by contrast, frame the appointment as a demonstration of serious commitment to delivery.
The White House announced that formal designs will be filed with oversight bodies later this month, setting the stage for the next legal and architectural milestones.
As the drama unfolds, the project remains a battleground over presidential legacy, architectural integrity and the evolving vision of America’s most iconic residence.
