A new report says Trump’s ballroom will ruin the White House, but he can build it anyway
President Donald Trump’s plans to add a ballroom to the White House would be bad for the design of the White House complex and grounds, according to a National Park Service (NPS) report. The report said the annex would “disrupt the historical continuity of the White House grounds and alter the architectural integrity of the east side of the property.”
Still, Trump is clear to move ahead with his plans.
The NPS report is just the latest speed bump in Trump’s plan to build a new annex since he had the White House East Wing demolished in October without seeking outside approval. It’s a saga of inflated expectations and a ballooning budget that’s blowing past calls for preservation and restraint.
The NPS’s environmental assessment was released because the agency manages the White House, its grounds, and surrounding areas, including Lafayette Square and sites in and around the Ellipse. The National Environmental Policy Act and Department of the Interior regulations also compel the agency to prepare one.
The agency’s assessment found no significant environmental impact from building a ballroom and noted that previous administrations have wanted a permanent, secure event space on the White House grounds. But it also highlighted aesthetic and cultural concerns about Trump’s plans.
That might not matter.
Here’s where Trump’s plans to build a new building on the White House grounds currently stand.
Trump confirmed on December 4 to The Washington Post that © Fast Company





















Toi Staff
Sabine Sterk
Penny S. Tee
Gideon Levy
Waka Ikeda
Grant Arthur Gochin
Mark Travers Ph.d