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Trump\u2019s ambition to push the envelope with the project has faced resistance from architect James McCrery II, who has advocated for a more modest approach. McCrery is reportedly concerned that the proposed 90,000-square\u2013foot structure may minimize the 55,000-square-foot mansion. The outsize ballroom could violate a cardinal rule of architecture \u2014 that an accompanying structure should never overshadow the main one.<\/p>\n
White House responds to report<\/p>\n
A White House official told The Post that Trump and McCrery engaged in \u201cconstructive dialogue\u201d over the ballroom\u2019s design but did not go into details over the disagreements.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs with any building, there is a conversation between the principal and the architect,\u201d the official said. \u201cAll parties are excited to execute on the president\u2019s vision on what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hand-selected architect has kept his criticism largely private as the president has requested quick changes to his plans. Trump has dug into the details of the plan in Oval Office meetings with the architect, micromanaging details such as the materials to be used in construction, according to The Post. A model of the ballroom is now a regular sight in the Oval Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n McCrery declined to comment on the report.<\/p>\n McCrery wants to remain on project<\/p>\n Sources told The Post that McCrery wants to remain as the architect for the project because he believes a different architect would design a lesser building. The renovation is the largest effort his firm has ever undertaken. McCrery Architects<\/a> has previously designed the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s bookstore and the pedestal for Ronald Reagan\u2019s statue in the U.S. Capitol. The company has also worked on churches, libraries and homes.<\/p>\n Trump hired McCrery in July, roughly two weeks before he announced the project. Officials pledged to begin construction within two months and finish before the end of Trump\u2019s second term.<\/p>\n In his first term, Trump appointed McCrery to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. The commission offers advice to the president, Congress and local government officials on design issues connected to construction projects in the capital area.<\/p>\n The president has made a number of changes to the White House aesthetics<\/a> since taking office in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n Criticism of ballroom project<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s ballroom has come under intense scrutiny from Democrats, historic preservationists and a Virginia couple<\/a> who went to court trying to halt the rapid, unexpected demolition of the East Wing.<\/p>\n Trump has said the ballroom \u2014 estimated to cost $300 million \u2014 will be paid for by private donors. But critics say the major corporations<\/a> and wealthy individuals who have contributed to the project so far were trying to curry favor with the White House.<\/p>\n Democrats in Congress recently proposed new legislation<\/a> that would impose restrictions on donors.<\/p>\n \u201cBillionaires and giant corporations with business in front of this administration are lining up to dump millions into Trump\u2019s new ballroom \u2014 and Trump is showing them where to sign on the dotted line,\u201d Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who introduced the legislation along with her colleagues, said in a statement last week<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\tStart your day with fact-based news.<\/p>\n