NCPC Reviews White House Ballroom Proposal and East Wing Redevelopment

On March 5, ASLA attended a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) to review the proposed East Wing Modernization Project, which includes plans for a new White House Ballroom. The project’s architectural team, led by Shalom Baranes Associates, presented an overview of the preliminary and final site and building plans. Rick Parisi, FASLA, Managing Principal at MPFP and lead landscape architect for the project, also highlighted the proposed landscape architecture elements and site design technologies associated with the redesigned East Wing grounds. 

The Commission heard testimony from historic preservation organizations, allied professionals, and members of the public raising concerns about the project’s scale and impacts on the historic White House campus. Several speakers also questioned recent administration appointments to NCPC, citing limited planning and design experience among some appointees. NCPC has received more than 32,000 public comments, with over 97 percent opposing the proposal.

The ballroom proposal is part of a broader redevelopment of the East Wing, which historically housed offices for the First Lady and White House staff. Plans for the project were announced in July 2025, with site preparation beginning in September 2025. Demolition of the existing East Wing began on October 20, 2025, prior to completion of the federal design review process. In December 2025, the administration selected Shalom Baranes Associates to serve as the lead architect for the proposed White House ballroom and replacement East Wing structure.

NCPC is expected to take a final vote on the project at its April 2 Commission meeting. ASLA members interested in submitting public comments may do so once the Commission’s comment portal opens on March 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET; additional details and the submission link are available on the NCPC website.