US President Donald Trump has said that the White House in its current form is not capable of hosting major state events, including welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Right now, if we were to host President Xi of China or hold any major state event, we simply don't have the space to do it,“ he said.
After talks with the Chinese leader in October, the US president announced his intention to visit Beijing in April next year, after which Xi Jinping could travel to Palm Beach, Florida, or Washington.
In July, the Trump administration decided to build a $200 million ballroom at the White House. The new space will be located near the East Wing, built in 1902. The ballroom will span 8,400 square feet and can accommodate up to 650 people for events.
Construction began in October and is expected to be completed by the end of Trump's second term in January 2029.
Conceived by George Washington, the first president of the United States, as his official residence, construction of the White House began in 1792 to a design by architect James Houben. Washington himself selected the site for the building, which was completed on November 1, 1800. On the same day, John Adams, the second president of the United States, moved into it. The building was reconstructed between 1815 and 1817 after a fire in 1814.