But... the ROSE GARDEN!

[Bonfire]

Every administration throughout history has been aware of the stewardship they hold for the people’s house. Pay it forward for generations to come. This one is turning it into a personal palace. Perhaps with the intention of not leaving?
So sad about the rose garden. I wouldn’t be surprised if the National Mall is turned into a golf course.

 

[ecf8503]

...Perhaps with the intention of not leaving?

This.

 

[LightBright]

Something like this would have been much better in something other than bright white. Or even side paths with a smaller middle grass area if the concern was the legitimate need for a hard surface. I have an elderly father in law with peripheral neuropathy so I can see where there might be a need for a surface that is hard for those with mobility issues. He doesn't do well at all with grass where it might have height differences he cannot see.

That said, I still don't like what was done. Many ways to make it more attractive!

I totally agree about the bright white solid flooring. It is a huge problem. Snow, Ice and rain will cause it to be dangerously slippery and flooded, looks like inadequate drainage as well. Has anyone ever been to the Getty Center in LA? Whoever designed it put cream white stone paving everywhere and did not think of the environmental factors at all. There is so much intense reflection. The Getty has free sun umbrellas available everywhere because the reflection is inescapable. Predict this design will be revised within six months when all these design flaws become obvious.

You can see it’s already collecting water, could discolor too. They need to put some green back!

https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/1mhelqg/before_and_after_of_white_houses_paved_rose_garden

 

[MissGotRocks]

The White House has existed in some form for over 200 years. Funny how it never needed a ballroom … until now. If you add on to or renovate a space, is that called saving money? Am I dreaming???!!???

 

[Matata]

I heard him say he and private donors were paying for it. I believe he also posted on X that he was paying.

The only way he'd use his own money is if he's planning on a long-term stay in the WH.......

 

[ShinyPink]

@Lookinagain Here are a few. I read a lot about it because of the history, plus there are old photos, which I love. Edited to add: There's nothing I could do about his name in the title of the articles, so I hope it's OK.

President Trump relishes new 'very white' paved-over Rose Garden

President Trump said his "very white" new patio at the White House Rose Garden will reflect heat, cooling down outdoor events.

www.usatoday.com

Trump’s White House Rose Garden Pave-Over Is Upon Us

Here’s everything we know so far about renovations currently underway at the iconic garden

www.architecturaldigest.com

They Paved Paradise? A Closer Look at Trump’s New White House Rose Garden

Newly released images of the White House Rose Garden—now paved over with pale stone by President Trump—have left nostalgists and gardeners alike wondering: Why trade greenery for granite?

www.vogue.com

Trump swears he’s hearing ‘great reviews’ after White House Rose Garden leveled

President’s assessment jars with social media criticism, which has seen his patio design bemoaned as a ‘parking lot’ and ‘concrete jungle’ that looks ‘devoid of life’

www.independent.co.uk

 

[autumngems]

The temporary flooring would be removed after every meeting.

The White House is a Historic building. A modern aesthetic does not go well with the look of the White House. The roses are a small part of the whole picture as they frame the green space. The green space pulled the design together. Now It looks like a parking lot with some roses planted around it.

To each their own, changing with the times and all

 

[autumngems]

I am released to read this
I have been following from afare and I was a bit worried for the roses
But I also thought roses can be replaced and paving can be taken up and lawn can go back down
I love lawn but it also kind of makes sense that it is not practical for all weather

Yes, sometimes practicality wins and we still have our roses.

 

[autumngems]

We all have different tastes, but the WH is not a modern building and a big slab of concrete isn't attractive to me. So I stand by ugly. There is temporary outdoor flooring that looks like wood, such as this and then they only need to cover so much of the grass as is needed for the size of the crowd.

Times change and so must other things. I imagine people didn't like changes previously made by other administrations.

 

[Lookinagain]

@Lookinagain Here are a few. I read a lot about it because of the history, plus there are old photos, which I love. Edited to add: There's nothing I could do about his name in the title of the articles, so I hope it's OK.

President Trump relishes new 'very white' paved-over Rose Garden

President Trump said his "very white" new patio at the White House Rose Garden will reflect heat, cooling down outdoor events.

www.usatoday.com

Trump’s White House Rose Garden Pave-Over Is Upon Us

Here’s everything we know so far about renovations currently underway at the iconic garden

www.architecturaldigest.com

They Paved Paradise? A Closer Look at Trump’s New White House Rose Garden

Newly released images of the White House Rose Garden—now paved over with pale stone by President Trump—have left nostalgists and gardeners alike wondering: Why trade greenery for granite?

www.vogue.com

Trump swears he’s hearing ‘great reviews’ after White House Rose Garden leveled

President’s assessment jars with social media criticism, which has seen his patio design bemoaned as a ‘parking lot’ and ‘concrete jungle’ that looks ‘devoid of life’

www.independent.co.uk

Oh I was talking about the ballroom and you were talking about the patio. Just a misunderstanding.

 

[Calliecake]

To each their own, changing with the times and all

Trees and grass have been around forever and people never seem to tire of them or feel they are out of style. They are considered beautiful. Slabs of Concrete…not so much.

I can’t imagine the concrete staying around for too long, unless he doesn’t leave. I guess time will tell.

 

[ShinyPink]

@Lookinagain The ballroom.... Don't remind me.

I gave several sources because of the historic info and photos, not to diss your question. The Vogue and AD articles were interesting! Can't wait to hear what AD has to say about the ballroom!