Trump Hires New Architect for White House Ballroom

Shalom Baranes takes over for James McCrery as lead on the $300 million project. McCrery will remain on project as consultant.

Construction is underway on a ballroom being added to the East Wing of the White House in Washington, on Nov. 17, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

President Donald Trump has hired a new lead architect for his $300 million White House ballroom renovation, according to a White House official on Thursday.

Shalom Baranes, who has left his mark already on Washington’s architectural landscape, will take over the central role, as James McCrery, the former lead, now moves into a consulting role.