President Donald Trump is embarking on one of the largest White House construction projects in more than a century: a massive new ballroom designed to host official receptions and grand state events.
The 79-year-old president and former real estate mogul will personally fund the $200 million project alongside private donors, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday.
“For 150 years, presidents, administrations and White House staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex,” Leavitt said during a press briefing, describing the project as a long-overdue addition.
The new ballroom, set to cover more than 8,000 square meters (90,000 square feet), will accommodate up to 650 seated guests. Officials described it as a “state-of-the-art venue” that will preserve the historic character of the executive mansion.
“There’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms,” Trump told reporters with a grin. “I’m good at building things, and we’ll get it done quickly and on time. It’ll be beautiful.”
