Executive Mansion Begins Tearing Down of East Wing for Planned Banquet Hall
Demolition work has begun on a portion of the Executive Mansion's East Wing as work advance for the creation of a planned presidential ballroom.
Laborers commenced demolition of significant portions of a sheltered access point and windows in the eastern section earlier this week, with the project being characterized as a "total renovation" of the facility.
The quarter-billion dollar event space expansion was earlier characterized as being "located near" the present facility without changing its historic appearance.
"It won't impact with the current building. It will not. It'll be near but not touching - and demonstrates full consideration to the present facility, which I'm the biggest fan of," was declared in a earlier comment. "It's my cherished. It's my preferred location. I adore it."
The renovation work was disclosed through social media, with announcement that "work has commenced" on the "highly anticipated" ballroom space.
"For more than 150 years, each chief executive has imagined having a Ballroom at the White House to host guests for grand parties, official functions, among other occasions," was written in the announcement.
The initiative is being privately funded by "numerous dedicated supporters" according to recent comments.
The Executive Mansion has served as the traditional residence of the American leader for 200 years. The eastern section was originally constructed in 1902 and was most recently changed in 1942.
From the southern exposure of the structure, witnesses could see several large pieces of building machinery - multiple displaying American banners - situated adjacent to the eastern section.
The protected entrance, which extends across the East Wing's southern facade, appeared to be undergoing gutting, with construction waste and metal cables clearly visible from a considerable distance away.
The demolition work had brought a modest gathering of interested observers who stopped to ask photographers and reporters about the current activities.
One woman, who was wearing a face covering and a poster with an anti-administration slogan on it, voiced her concern. She declined to provide her name.
"I disapprove," she said - seemingly speaking to nobody in particular - as she motioned toward the White House from adjacent to a yellow truck that was parked nearby. "Observe the changes to it!"
