Overview
- Shalom Baranes, a prominent Washington architect and former refugee, is leading President Trump’s planned White House ballroom after being selected in December.
- In his first interview since taking the job, Baranes said U.S. immigration policy is “heartbreaking” and urged that policies be normalized.
- The proposed addition is described as roughly 90,000 square feet and about $400 million, and it followed demolition of the East Wing after a hurried design process.
- Colleagues and preservation advocates expressed surprise at his decision to accept the role, though Baranes remains under a nondisclosure agreement and denied his firm needs the fee.
- Public support for the ballroom is low, with just 28% backing the project in a recent Economist/YouGov poll.