The Drama of White House Renovations

President Donald Trump’s renovations to the White House are grabbing headlines. The Politico headline reads ‘It’s your house. And he’s destroying it’: Trump demolishes White House East Wing.”

The National Trust for Historic Preservation added to criticism of the administration in a letter to the National Park Service and other organizations Tuesday, warning that the current design of the ballroom threatens to “overwhelm” the White House and requesting a freeze on further construction until a commission that oversees the iconic urban landscape of the nation’s capitol is consulted. Politico

The news and political commentary prompted us to research the history of White House renovations by other presidents. There is a history of changes to the White House. Architectural Digest provides the following timeline.

White House renovations over the years

• 1789–1800: The new seat of a new nation

• 1814: Rebuilding from the ashes

• 1881: Victorian obsession and a Tiffany window

• 1902: A classical renovation, courtesy of Roosevelt

• 1942: An addition to conceal

• 1948–1952: Wear and tear requires renovation

• 1961: Jacqueline Kennedy redecorates with dignity

• 1979: A sustainable future

• 2013: “The Audacity of Taupe”

• 2017: Trump’s “dump” rehauled

• 2025: A paved paradise and a gilded ballroom

With this history of change, the following quote is important in considering the nature and scope of any change to the White House.

Many architectural historians and other industry professionals have expressed concerns over the changes. In a statement shared on October 16, the Society of Architectural Historians shared, “While we recognize that the White House is a building with evolving needs, and that it has undergone various exterior and interior modifications since construction began in 1792, the proposed ballroom will be the first major change to its exterior appearance in the last 83 years (since the East Wing in its current form was built in 1942). Therefore, such a significant change to a historic building of this import should follow a rigorous and deliberate design and review process.”

Similarly, the American Institute of Architects released a list of formal recommendations for the project based on its Framework for Design Excellence, “which links design decisions to measurable outcomes for preservation, building performance, occupant health and safety, and long-term stewardship.” Architectural Digest.

Hopefully, these facts help you to draw your own conclusions so we can “Get Real” about the news surrounding us.