There are whims that are expensive, and those of Donald Trump now seem to escape all measure. He has just dismissed the architect James McCrery in favor of Shalom Baranes, a well-known figure in public projects in Washington. At the head of his agency Shalom Baranes Associates since 1981, Shalom Baranes is one of the designers of CityCenterDC. He also renovated federal buildings such as the Department of Justice and the FBI headquarters. He has notably collaborated on international projects, in London and Saudi Arabia. His ability to manage complex and institutional projects seems to have attracted the American president, looking for a more “executive” profile.
The project entrusted to the new architect is commensurate with the ambitions of its sponsor: a neoclassical ballroom of 8,300 m², capable of accommodating more than 900 guests, at an estimated cost of 300 million dollars (257 million euros), financed by private funds. To enable the completion of this extraordinary extension, Donald Trump ordered the destruction of the east wing – without prior consultation – sparking indignation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and several architectural historians. Some elected officials denounced a “megalomaniac” prestige operation in the midst of a period of budgetary austerity.
This change of direction comes after several disagreements between Donald Trump and the former architect. Although the latter designed an already massive structure, he recommended a certain architectural restraint so as not to overshadow the White House. Reservations poorly received by Donald Trump, keen to leave a spectacular mark. According to the Washington Posttensions over the pace of progress of the project would also have precipitated the breakup. James McCrery, however, remains involved in an advisory capacity.
The White House in Washington.
