In a surprising shift in leadership, Donald Trump has replaced James McCrery II, the chief architect originally tasked with designing an opulent $300 million White House ballroom. According to a report from the Washington Post, this change took place in late October and was largely driven by a behind-the-scenes clash over the project’s escalating scale. Trump’s eagerness to expand the size of the new building reportedly led to tensions, with sources indicating that missed deadlines and the limited workforce of McCrery’s firm were also key factors in the decision.
While it’s unclear whether McCrery voluntarily stepped down, insiders assert that there remains a cordial relationship between him and Trump. The task of seeing the ballroom project to completion has now been handed to Shalom Baranes, a seasoned architect with extensive experience in designing government structures in Washington. Baranes and his firm have a notable track record, having worked on significant projects like the redesign of the main Treasury building and the General Services Administration headquarters.
Despite the leadership change, McCrery’s expertise hasn’t been entirely sidelined. The White House has confirmed that he will continue to contribute to the project in a consulting capacity. A White House official informed the Daily Mail, “McCrery remains a valuable consultant on the ballroom project. This transition is not a replacement but rather a passing of the baton as the project progresses into new phases.”
McCrery’s firm has been involved in notable projects focusing on large-scale cathedrals across the country. In 2018, his firm finished construction on the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tennessee. The worshipping center’s size is over 28,000 square feet with a dome that rises 14 stories above the ground.
Federal officers in charge of awarding contracts for government buildings would normally chose a firm four times the size of McCrery’s, a source told WaPo. Trump’s renovation represents the most significant change to the White House since 1948 when Harry S. Truman completely reconstructed the building. Since Baranes has taken over the project, dozens of construction workers have continued prepping the site for the massive addition.
On Wednesday, crews erected a towering crane into a concrete paddock. The White House celebrated Baranes hiring by describing him as an ‘accomplished architect.’ ‘Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nation’s capital for decades and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project,’ said White House spokesman Davis Ingle.
