President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a significant expansion of the White House's West Wing, following the controversial demolition of the East Wing to make way for a sprawling new ballroom. This latest proposal, which the President has dubbed the 'Upper West Wing', was revealed in a new report this week.
The 'Upper West Wing' Proposal
In an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, 7th January 2026, President Trump confirmed that designs for the West Wing addition are currently being drawn up. He stated that if he is satisfied with the architectural renderings, he will proceed with construction. The proposed renovations to the West Wing—which houses the iconic Oval Office and workspaces for senior presidential aides—could create additional office space. Trump suggested this space could be used for more aides or potentially for "future first ladies."
The architect leading the entire White House renovation project, Shalom Baranes, mentioned the potential West Wing expansion while presenting plans for the ballroom to the National Capital Planning Commission on Thursday, 8th January. Baranes indicated that the addition would be restricted to "just the colonnade" and is being considered to restore symmetry to the White House's central pavilion.
A Ballroom Matching the White House in Height
The impetus for this new expansion stems from the ongoing construction of a major new ballroom, which required the demolition of the historic East Wing. Architect Shalom Baranes confirmed that the ballroom, with an estimated cost of $400 million, will be as tall as the main White House residence. "The heights will match exactly," Baranes stated, according to a previous report by The Independent.
This revelation adds context to the President's desire to expand the West Wing, as the new, towering ballroom on the east side disrupts the building's traditional balanced appearance. The proposed one-story addition to the West Wing is framed as an architectural solution to reinstate visual equilibrium along the famous facade.
Broader Ambitions for Washington's Landscape
President Trump's vision for remodelling extends beyond the White House grounds. While giving New York Times reporters a tour, he expressed further ambitions for the nation's capital. These include replacing the bricks in Lafayette Park with granite and renovating Washington Dulles International Airport.
This follows other major changes implemented just over a year into his term, such as paving over the Rose Garden, installing two towering flagpoles on the South Lawn, and extensively decorating the Oval Office with gold furnishings. Previously announced plans also include constructing a triumphal arch near the Potomac River.
The proposed 'Upper West Wing' expansion, while still in the design phase, signifies a continued and aggressive personal imprint by President Trump on the most recognisable symbols of American political power. The projects collectively represent one of the most substantial physical alterations to the White House complex in modern history.
