The New White House Ballroom Good Idea or a Colossal Mistake?

Hi Everyone,

Yes, this post is about the proposed new White House Ballroom.

However, before some of you decide you need to don your boxing gloves and bulletproof vests, I’m beginning with an important announcement.

This discussion is for learning purposes. It is NOT a political discussion or an excuse to get your noogies out. Not on this blog. Please.

 

It is a United States of America discussion.

 

I hope that distinction is clear.

 

Fair warning.

 

You are free to have your views and opinions. I have mine, but they are largely irrelevant to this discussion. If anyone says anything disparaging in any way about anyone who’s involved with our government, present or past, or to me, or another reader, your comment will be deleted.

 

You are free to agree or disagree, but if you disagree, it needs to be backed up with solid facts, not something that is conjecture-based, unless you use a word like maybe, possibly, or I’m not sure. When people speak with absolute certainty something that can’t be verified, it makes me quite cross.

 

Okay, time to jump in with our discussion about the New White House Ballroom.

 

Like a lot of Americans, I was caught completely by surprise when I saw protected, historical government property being torn down. And torn down without going through the proper channels; the channels that the rest of us have to go through just to get a condenser installed in an enclosed patio facing a rat-infested alley.

 

In addition, we were told the existing structures wouldn’t be touched.

 

Was that a lie? I don’t know. If I say it was, that is conjecture. It’s possible the president either didn’t understand or was told exactly what he told us. I doubt it, but it’s possible.

 

However, even the BBC believed until Tuesday of last week that only the front portico of the east wing was going to be demolished.

 

Above is an image that I found where the BBC showed the small portion that was to be torn down.

Nope. That’s not it. They took all of it down. Below is a before-and-after shot.

All of it, including the gardens.

 

The other surprise was the proposed building itself.

 

I kind of want to love it, but I don’t. I like aspects of it, and considering what I know of Mr. Trump’s taste, it could’ve been a helluva lot worse. However, if it’s to be built as has been depicted, it will be nearly double the size of the main White House building. (90,000 vs 55,000)

 

On closer inspection, it relates more closely to the imposing building across the street, the US Treasury, which is a very large building and also built in the neoclassical style.

 

I’m not going to get into the situation with who did what, when, and why. That’s because I don’t know.  And neither does anyone else, at this point.

Apparently, there’s no law stating that permission needs to be granted to tear down part or all of the White House. I guess the powers that be couldn’t imagine that anyone would do such a thing without careful consideration and much advice from the advisory boards involved. And I’m not saying that advice wasn’t given.

 

What I do know is that three governing bodies are there to provide guidance:

 

• There is the AIA, who had sent over several recommendations before this project could commence. (This was last summer, I believe, and as far as I know, none of the protocols were followed.)
• Then, there is the United States Park Service, who are the custodians of the property.
• And finally, there’s the department of historic preservation. Carol Quillen, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, wrote one of the best letters I’ve ever read (It’s in this link), spelling out quite clearly what the concerns are with this project and what the proper procedure is.

 

Ms. Quillen’s concerns mirror my own to a T.

 

As you guys know, no project should begin without a cohesive plan and much discussion. This white house ballroom appears to be rushed and thrown together ad hoc, and you know and I know that is a recipe for disaster.

The biggest problem that I see from a design standpoint is that, as depicted, the new building is hugely off-balance.

 

But here’s what I discovered during my research. And, please hang on. It’s quite interesting.

 

There were plans to enlarge the footprint of the White House to be enlarged to four times the size of the main White House beginning 135 years ago. Yes, in 1890. This projected was initiated by then first lady, Caroline Harrison.

You see, the facility at the hub of our Federal government has long been woefully inadequate. That includes the space we know as the West Wing.

And it is true that when heads of state come to visit, the number of people the current ballroom can accommodate is insufficient. I keep hearing varying numbers– anywhere from 79 to 250. However, if the number is larger, it means a tent needs to be put up, along with kitchen facilities. It is very expensive, as you can well imagine.

So, I do think a larger space for these functions is a good idea.

 

Yes, but not this one.

 

And one of the primary reasons is that it is totally unbalanced and imposing. Plus, it’s dwarfing the main building instead of enhancing it.

 

Rule #1 when renovating.

 

Changes should make the property as a WHOLE better. It is not enough that the part is better; it MUST integrate with the design as a whole entity. And there lies the challenge.

However, the architect Frederick D. Owen, that Mrs. Harrison worked with back in 1890, during the late Victorian/early Beaux Arts period, had the right idea.

He kept the classical symmetry of the east and west wings and integrated them beautifully with the central building

 

From the White House History, please read this:

 

 

Sadly, Mrs. Harrison passed away from tuberculosis in 1892 while her husband, Benjamin, was still president.

 

Okay, let’s take a look at the renderings created by architect Frederick D. Owen.

 

Below are the proposed north and south facades back in 1890.

 

Yes, that is a huge greenhouse, AKA conservatory.

And below is a scale drawing of the plan view of the entire White House Complex as conceived by Mr. Owen.

 

 

Oh, there’s the ballroom, but it was slated to be an art gallery. I imagine even back then, the funds to do so and the scope of it were insurmountable. So, it was scrapped and then in 1902, the far more modest west wing was built.

The point being that more interior space has been something long-needed for both the east and west wings.

 

Although parts of the 1890 plan are too grandiose, I adore the idea of it. In fact, I like it so much, it gave me an idea that we will get to in a sec.

 

But, here’s the thing. It is a known fact that the facilities of the current west wing are insufficient and cramped.

Some have also pointed out that Trump’s ballroom is nothing compared to what Harry Truman did.

Well, that is true.

 

Did you know this? Now that is a GUT renovation. It took at least three years to complete. The reality was that the 150-year-old building was in terrible shape. President Truman and the craftsmen did a fantastic job of the restoration. I know a lot of that restoration continued with Jackie Kennedy. Thank God for her!

 

Truman was also responsible for the construction of the beautiful East Wing. (May she rest in peace.)

 

Above is the former east wing.

 

And another view with lovely topiaries on the roof.

Above, Via Christopher Spitzmiller on Instagram, and a view of the Jacqueline Kennedy garden and former east wing colonnade. This couldn’t have been more perfect.

 

As was stated earlier, the building was not to be touched; yet it was destroyed, including the colonnade, exquisite garden, and some very old heirloom magnolia trees. Also, they are planning on taking out the beautiful central window and doors on the white house facade to make an entrance to the new colonnade that will go from the East Room to the new ballroom.

 

Was any thought given to another solution?

 

I don’t know.

The only thing I know is that the new design is a mistake. It’s a MASSIVE building and will dwarf the exquisite architectural treasure that is our White House.

Above is the latest update comparing the two footprints. It’s like a moving target. It seems to be getting bigger and bigger and has gone from $200 million to $300 million in a matter of days. Originally, it was to seat 650, and now that number has grown to 999.

Is that really necessary?

I’m also concerned about the private investors. It’s odd. This is a Federal building and should be paid for with Federal money. No?

 

However, I feel quite strongly that the entire thing needs to be scaled back.

 

And re-designed. Please look at these brilliant classical architects. I’m not saying that Mr. McCreery isn’t a goo architect, because I don’t know what happened here, but this building does not have a good design and it is not compatible with the neoclassical White House.

This place is like the guy at the wedding you’re seated with who won’t shut up and is going on and on about his accomplishments.

This is not right. These are ornate Corinthian columns and huge! The White House has far more delicate Ionic columns.

And those windows!

This building is a supporting player– not the star of the show. Remember how I often talk about that? This building needs to enhance the star, not upstage it!

 

I mean, it’s like a bad AI nightmare.

Not only are the windows ridiculously long, they are way too close together.

Below is from our exquisite Boston Athenaeum. These are Palladian windows in a proper scale.

Below is the front facade of the Athenaeum.

 

The windows in the reading room are on the 6th floor, so you can’t see them here.

 

The section facing Pennsylvania Avenue (on the right) is much better. However, the Colonnade is now two floors, and the west wing colonnade is only one floor.

The old above.

And the new, below.

 

I count 11 gigantic Palladian windows on the west side of the new building.

 

Yet, here, we can only see three of the windows. This means we’re looking at less than 50% of the space. This building is like an airport hangar for a couple of jumbo jets!

Plus, it’s ostentatious AF. Holy Roman Temple! I love huge windows, but you know this glass is going to need to be harder than diamonds. But still, I long for some wall space for some paintings.  There are too many windows and too many pilasters. It’s trying to be Versailles, and our founding fathers came here to avoid that kind of pretense.

 

Sorry, I do not see the necessity to be able to have a sit-down dinner for 1,000.

 

What?

Our country is now over 38 trillion dollars in debt. I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around that. So, sure. I’m all for still enjoying our lives and making beautiful buildings. However, this room, this entire building is not in the spirit of our founding fathers.

In addition, I researched further and discovered that the largest state dinner in this century was around 400, and it was during the Biden administration, not the one before it.

Thomas Jefferson does not approve, and that I am certain of. It’s impractical at best. Can’t we keep the guest list under 500?

This new ballroom is about 25,000 square feet. The state dining room is roughly 2500 square feet or a bit less. I think they could do something very nice with a room that’s 7500 square feet, and still be able to host a crowd.

 

I mean, doesn’t it smack a bit of that “Let Them Eat Cake” vibe?

 

And we all know that one didn’t end so well.

The last thing I must say about this is that the price for this project keeps going up, and I am positive that number will continue to grow. How high, I don’t know, but if it’s completed as shown, this could be close to a billion dollars.

 

So, what should it be?

 

I mean, the building is gone. They have to build something. However, this is not the way to do things.

I feel quite strongly that they need to go back to the drawing board. Take a deep breath, and really think long and hard on what the needs are and what is good for the big picture and the future of our country, and all of its citizens.

Okay, as I said earlier, I want to go back to the 1890 proposal.

 

Maybe you’ve figured out where I’m going with this idea for the White House Renovation.

 

Since the east wing is no longer and the west wing is insufficient, what if both the east and west wings were rebuilt, in perfect symmetry? As they did below. The footprint of the two wings is the same size as the White House. I’m okay with that.

 

This will increase the new ballroom to nearly four times the size of the state dining room currently in the White House. The dining room is called the east room, on the left of the mansion.  The room that’s called the state dining room is used for something else.

 

So, can you guess what I did?

 

I bet you can.

Yes! I had a lot of fun redesigning the footprint of the new White House Complex to accommodate a new ballroom and other needed spaces.

This is just for fun.

Okay, goodnight. It’s late.

 

LAUREL!!!

 

Okay, fine. Sleep is vastly overrated, and I’m energized.

So, here it is: My neoclassical redesign of the west wing and east wing of the White House.

 

The bottom is the front of the building facing Pennsylvania Avenue. The windows will match the existing windows. I would make everything the same height, including the colonnades. So, while the footprint isn’t a lot larger, the west wing will get an additional floor or two.

The thing is, these two buildings together are probably an additional 10,000 square feet over the proposed 90,000 square feet. The colonnades are much smaller, as well.

You can ignore the circles. I was just having fun. However, I am thinking there could be some incredible gardens and landscaping. And then there’s an immense patio for outdoor functions. In slightly inclement weather, a tent could go over the patio.

 

Well, there it is.

 

Remember, please be kind. You can like or dislike something and still not make disparaging remarks to others. 

“BE the change you want to see.” ~ Gandhi

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the coming months and years.

 

I am trying not to be upset; I mean, nobody died, but make no mistake, I am horrified by what happened.

 

An important piece of our American history was obliterated in a matter of a few days. along with the Jacqueline Kennedy garden designed by Bunny Mellon.

And that, right there, for me, is the most heartbreaking piece of this. Jackie was a magnificent lady, beautiful and the epitome of style and class. I know this because I have friends who worked with her closely at Doubleday, and that is what they said. She deserves a helluva lot better than to have her memory bulldozed over. And for what? A bloated, ostentatious ballroom that has no place being on the property with our cherished White House.

Still, I think the property as a whole could use a facelift, but a tasteful one that doesn’t include lots of fillers and fat transfers.

There is a part 2 to this post which you can read here.

Please understand that comments have been turned off on either of these posts as too many people have been downright nasty and ignored my plea to keep your political views out of the conversation.

I love you, no matter what, because I can be mad at someone and still love them. However, when the comments begin to interfere with my mental health and daily functioning, they have to get turned off.

Thank you for your understanding.

xo,

 

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