Sayart.net - White House Awards $200 Million State Ballroom Expansion Contract to Clark Construction and AECOM

The White House has officially selected Clark Construction to spearhead a major $200 million expansion project that will add a new state ballroom to the presidential residence, according to a recent announcement from administration officials. The ambitious construction project brings together a high-profile team of contractors and designers, including engineering giant AECOM and Washington, D.C.-based McCrery Architects, as confirmed by White House representatives. During a press briefing held on July 31, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided detailed information about the scope and scale of the upcoming construction project. The new state ballroom is planned to span an impressive 90,000 square feet and will be constructed on the current site of the White House East Wing. According to Leavitt, the ballroom has been intricately designed and will be carefully crafted to meet the highest standards expected for presidential events and state functions. One of the most significant improvements the new ballroom will bring is a dramatic increase in capacity. The planned facility will accommodate up to 650 seated guests, representing more than triple the current capacity of the White House's East Room, which can only seat approximately 200 people. This expansion will allow the White House to host much larger state dinners, diplomatic receptions, and other official events that are central to presidential duties and international relations. The current East Wing, which will be affected by the construction, has a rich history dating back over a century. Originally constructed in 1902, the wing underwent a significant expansion in the 1940s when a second story was added to accommodate growing administrative needs. As part of this comprehensive renovation project, the entire wing will be modernized with updated infrastructure, technology, and amenities while maintaining its historical character and significance. Press Secretary Leavitt emphasized the careful balance the project will strike between expansion and preservation. She explained that while the new White House ballroom will be substantially separated from the main building of the White House, its architectural theme and heritage design elements will be almost identical to the existing structure. This approach ensures that the addition will seamlessly blend with the iconic appearance and historical integrity of the presidential residence. The project team brings impressive credentials and experience to this high-profile undertaking. McLean, Virginia-based Clark Construction holds the prestigious ranking of No. 19 on the ENR 2025 Top 400 Contractors list, demonstrating their standing among the nation's leading construction firms. Meanwhile, Dallas-based AECOM claims the top position as No. 1 on ENR's 2025 Top 500 Design Firms, highlighting their expertise in large-scale engineering projects. When contacted for additional details about their involvement in the White House project, neither Clark Construction nor AECOM immediately responded to media inquiries. The White House specifically highlighted McCrery Architects' extensive experience and specialization in classical architectural design, which makes them particularly well-suited for this sensitive and historically significant project. Jim McCrery, who serves as the firm's CEO, issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to preserving the White House's architectural legacy. McCrery stated that their renovation design would carefully preserve the elegance of the White House's classical design while maintaining its profound historical importance for future generations. The funding structure for this major construction project involves a unique combination of sources. According to Press Secretary Leavitt, President Donald Trump has personally committed to contributing to the project's financing, along with unspecified private donors who have also pledged their support. This approach of combining private funding for White House improvements reflects efforts to minimize the burden on taxpayers while ensuring the presidential residence meets modern functional requirements. The construction timeline will inevitably cause some operational disruptions to White House activities. Staff members who are currently housed in the East Wing will need to be temporarily relocated to alternative workspace during the construction period. The administration is working to minimize any impact on daily operations and ensure that essential functions continue without interruption throughout the building process. According to the timeline outlined by Press Secretary Leavitt, construction work is scheduled to begin in September, marking the start of what promises to be an intensive building period. The administration has set an ambitious goal for project completion, with expectations that all work will be finished well before the end of President Trump's current term in office. This timeline suggests that the project team will need to work efficiently to meet both quality standards and the demanding schedule for this high-profile government construction project.