Washington [US], August 1: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that the US will soon start construction on a gold-plated ballroom to be used for state dinners and other events.
"We are proud to announce that construction will begin on the new White House Ballroom . For 150 years, presidents, administrations, and White House staff have desired a spacious event space on the White House grounds that can accommodate significantly more guests than is currently available," ABC News quoted White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on July 31.
Construction of the $200 million, 8,361-square- foot ballroom will begin in September and will be paid for by President Trump and anonymous donors, said Karoline Leavitt.
The White House press secretary added that the new ballroom will be cleverly designed and carefully constructed, and will seat 650 people - a significant increase from the 200 people in the East Room of the White House, according to The Independent .
Drawings provided by the White House show a vast space with gold and crystal chandeliers, gold-leafed Corinthian columns, a coffered ceiling with gold inlays, gold floor lamps and checkered marble floors. Three walls of arched windows overlook the White House's south lawn - including a massive new flagpole, one of President Trump's additions to the historic complex.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has sought to revamp the look of the White House. According to CNN, the new ballroom's gold and white style closely resembles the main event room at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
"I always said I would do something with the ballroom because they should have one. So we're going to keep it. It's going to be a great legacy project and I think it's going to be very special," President Trump said on July 31.
Trump is also renovating the Kennedy Rose Garden. The rose bushes that surrounded the area during the Kennedy administration remain, but the grassy surface has been replaced with paving stones.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper