Focus on the BIG picture.
Saturday, Jan 03, 2026
Outside the box.
Trump Visits Florida Warehouse to Select Premium Stone for White House Ballroom Project
President Trump personally inspects marble and onyx at a local supplier as work on the extensive White House ballroom renovation gathers pace
President Donald Trump made a notable visit to a Florida warehouse this week to select high-end marble and onyx for the construction of a new White House ballroom, underscoring his direct involvement in the project’s development.
After celebrating New Year’s Eve at his Mar-a-Lago estate and enjoying a round of golf, Trump drove to Arc Stone & Tile in Lake Worth Beach, a wholesale supplier where he viewed and chose specific stone materials that will be used in the interior design of the ambitious renovation.
The materials on display — including slabs of white, pink and black stone — reflect the premium aesthetic the administration has outlined for the expansive event space, which is designed to host state functions and ceremonial gatherings.
The choice of Arc Stone & Tile is significant given the company’s history supplying stone to Trump properties, and the president’s hands-on approach appears tailored to ensure the ballroom’s finishes align with his personal vision for the project.
The ballroom, which has grown from an original estimate of $200 million to approximately $400 million, forms part of one of the largest renovations on the White House grounds in decades.
Plans for the two-story space include not only the main hall but also guest suites, executive offices and a new visitor entrance, with security enhancements such as reinforced structural elements and modern monitoring technologies.
While proponents of the initiative argue that the expanded facility will bolster the White House’s capacity for diplomatic and cultural events, the project has also drawn scrutiny given its scale and cost.
Critics have described the visit to the roadside warehouse and emphasis on opulent materials as out of step with the broader economic challenges many Americans face, though the administration maintains the ballroom will be privately funded by the president and allied donors.
Construction is expected to continue through late 2028, with officials pushing to secure necessary approvals from planning and fine arts commissions in the coming weeks.
After celebrating New Year’s Eve at his Mar-a-Lago estate and enjoying a round of golf, Trump drove to Arc Stone & Tile in Lake Worth Beach, a wholesale supplier where he viewed and chose specific stone materials that will be used in the interior design of the ambitious renovation.
The materials on display — including slabs of white, pink and black stone — reflect the premium aesthetic the administration has outlined for the expansive event space, which is designed to host state functions and ceremonial gatherings.
The choice of Arc Stone & Tile is significant given the company’s history supplying stone to Trump properties, and the president’s hands-on approach appears tailored to ensure the ballroom’s finishes align with his personal vision for the project.
The ballroom, which has grown from an original estimate of $200 million to approximately $400 million, forms part of one of the largest renovations on the White House grounds in decades.
Plans for the two-story space include not only the main hall but also guest suites, executive offices and a new visitor entrance, with security enhancements such as reinforced structural elements and modern monitoring technologies.
While proponents of the initiative argue that the expanded facility will bolster the White House’s capacity for diplomatic and cultural events, the project has also drawn scrutiny given its scale and cost.
Critics have described the visit to the roadside warehouse and emphasis on opulent materials as out of step with the broader economic challenges many Americans face, though the administration maintains the ballroom will be privately funded by the president and allied donors.
Construction is expected to continue through late 2028, with officials pushing to secure necessary approvals from planning and fine arts commissions in the coming weeks.
