Trump Is Making Major White House Renovations. See What's Changing.

"In less than a year, President Trump has already significantly remade the White House. The Oval Office is decorated from top to bottom in gold. The Rose Garden's lawn is paved over. And on Monday, part of the East Wing was demolished as Mr. Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom project forged ahead. Here is what we know about five key White House renovations: One of the biggest renovations underway is Mr. Trump's addition of a ballroom to the East Wing."

"First announced in July, Mr. Trump trumpeted its construction as necessary to host large events for world leaders. He has said it will cost more than $200 million to build and will hold 999 people. Mr. Trump has said that personal contributions and private donations will cover the bill for the ballroom, not taxpayers or foreign contributions. But this has raised concerns among historians and government ethics experts."

"According to images released by the White House, the proposed design of the ballroom's interior echoes features of the Grand Ballroom at Mr. Trump's Palm Beach resort, Mar-a-Lago. At 90,000 square feet, the East Wing Ballroom will nearly double the White House's footprint. Demolition of part of the East Wing began in late October. Over the summer, Mr. Trump had the Rose Garden paved over with stone tiles, and tables with yellow and white striped umbrellas were added, mirroring the hard-surface patio at Mar-a-Lago."

Within a year, President Trump has initiated several major White House renovations including a 90,000-square-foot East Wing ballroom, Rose Garden modifications, and extensive Oval Office gilding. The East Wing ballroom is proposed to hold 999 people, cost over $200 million, and be funded through personal and private donations, raising ethics and historian concerns. The ballroom design reportedly echoes Mar-a-Lago’s Grand Ballroom and demolition began in late October. The Rose Garden was paved with stone tiles and furnished with yellow-and-white striped umbrellas while retaining rose bushes, and it has hosted political dinners and a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony. The Oval Office features extensive gold frames, mirrors, and gold leaf on the presidential seal.

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