Trump Plans 'Golden Age' Renovation of the White House, Mar-a-Lago Style
White House front view,2024. Photo by AramilFeraxa under CC BY 4.0.
America's most famous address might soon get a splash of gold — and a ballroom to match.
President Donald Trump, barely three months into his second term, is reportedly pushing forward with plans to transform the White House with a series of bold renovations that mirror the opulence of his private Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago. From reshaping the Rose Garden into a limestone patio to commissioning designs for a Versailles-inspired ballroom, the real estate mogul turned president is putting his signature style on the People's House once again — and this time, it's bigger, glitzier, and, if reports are true, a little more golden.
A Developer in the White House
For decades, Donald Trump has been known for turning properties into gilded palaces — from Trump Tower to Mar-a-Lago. So, it's hardly surprising that his return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue would include an urge to leave his mark. In a quote from the Daily Mail that sums up the ethos behind the makeover, Trump said it "keeps my real state juices flowing but it will be beautiful."
At the heart of his vision is a redesign of the White House Rose Garden — an area historically used for press briefings and state ceremonies. Plans reportedly include removing the lawn and installing a permanent hardscape, possibly limestone or even hardwood flooring suitable for dancing. According to Newsweek, Trump's aim is to create a patio-like area reminiscent of Mar-a-Lago, where entertaining is as much a statement as a pastime.
'A Ballroom Like No Other'
One of the most headline-grabbing changes on the drawing board is a new state ballroom — modeled after Mar-a-Lago's Grand Ballroom, complete with gilded columns and crystal chandeliers. According to the New York Post, Trump said, "I offered to do it to the Biden administration, a very active administration, but I didn't hear back [so] I'm going to try to make the offer to myself ... because we could use a bigger room ... I think we've outgrown the tent stuff."
Trump says he'll fund the project himself. He's reportedly already reviewed architectural plans for a two-story expansion, with no zoning red tape in sight — a perk of presidential privilege.
How Much Power Does a President Really Have Over the House?
Presidents have limited authority over structural changes to the White House, which is overseen by the National Park Service and designated as a National Historic Landmark. However, the sitting president has broad discretion over interior design — especially in the private residence and West Wing. Additions like the tennis pavilion constructed at Melania Trump's behest or Jacqueline Kennedy's famed restoration of historic furnishings show that each First Family can leave its mark.
Any significant structural changes — such as the proposed ballroom — typically require coordination with the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. But presidents have historically received wide latitude, particularly if renovations are privately funded and align with the building's architectural integrity.
What Will It Cost — And Who Pays?
While no official price tag has been released, Trump has reportedly said he's willing to cover the cost of the ballroom himself. The renovations to the Rose Garden and Oval Office, however, likely fall under the White House's regular maintenance budget, which is funded by taxpayers and overseen by the General Services Administration.
As with Melania Trump's earlier redesign of the Rose Garden — which sparked public backlash and even a petition — public opinion may become a factor. But for now, Trump appears undeterred by criticism. In a statement reported by Newsweek, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said, "The White House has not been given any tender, loving care in many decades, so President Trump is taking necessary steps in order to preserve and restore the greatness and glory of 'the People's House'."
When Could This Happen?
There's no fixed timeline yet. But insiders say discussions are happening daily, and curators have been brought in for consultation. With Trump in office through 2029 barring unforeseen events, it's likely at least parts of the renovation will be completed during his current term.
Whether history will remember these renovations as legacy-building or legacy-blurring is a story still unfolding. Trump's second act in the White House won't be subtle — and the lawn may never look the same.
References:Donald Trump 'Paving Over' White House Rose Garden: What We Know | Trump's Shock White House Renovation Revealed as He Moves to 'Pave Over' the Rose Garden to Resemble Mar-a-Lago | Trump’s Big, Beautiful, Mar-a-Lago-Inspired Renovation Plans for the White House: 'Keeps My Real Estate Juices Flowing’
