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Demolition of the White House East Wing has begun as US President Donald Trump adds a $US200 million ($307 million), 8360 square metre ballroom. CNN observed an excavator tearing down portions of the East Wing, and close-up video and images captured areas of the roof torn down and an excavator tearing through the interior. Renderings released earlier by the White House showed that the ballroom, which the administration has said will be funded by Trump and other private donors, would be built over this area. READ MORE: 'I don't like you': Trump blasts Rudd during Albo meeting White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this year that the "state ballroom" would occupy space housing the East Wing of the executive mansion, where first ladies have traditionally maintained offices. The project fulfills a 15-year ambition by the president to construct an event space on the White House grounds that expands the building's entertaining capacity — but also resembles the gilded spaces of his private clubs. The ballroom is just one part of Trump's efforts to transform the buildings and grounds to his liking, which have included adding large flagpoles, paving over the Rose Garden, and decorating the Oval Office in gold. "I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom," Trump posted on social media on Monday. "Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!" READ MORE: Millions set to swelter as spring scorcher looms Renderings provided by the White House depict a vast space with gold and crystal chandeliers, gilded Corinthian columns, a coffered ceiling with gold inlays, gold floor lamps and a checkered marble floor. Three walls of arched windows look out over the White House's south grounds. The new ballroom — which will maintain the "theme and architectural heritage" of the neoclassical executive mansion, the White House said — will have a seated capacity of 650 people, more than three times the space in the East Room, the largest event space in the White House. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
