"The East Room floor was sagging 18 inches. The president's bathtub was sinking into the floor. And the structure could no longer support the third level and steel roof that were added in 1927. In 1948, the Trumans were forced to vacate to the nearby Blair House - the official state guest house of the president - while the White House underwent a massive four-year renovation that cost about $5.7 million, according to the White House Historical Association."
"More than 70 years later, another major White House renovation is underway. On Tuesday, demolition work began on the facade of the White House's East Wing to make way for President Donald Trump's planned $200 million ballroom. The new ballroom will be able to seat 650 people, the White House said, a more spacious alternative to the East Room, which seats 200."
From 1948 to 1952 the White House underwent a complete gut renovation after inspectors found severe structural failures. The East Room floor sagged 18 inches, the president's bathtub was sinking, and the 1927-added third level and steel roof rendered the structure unsafe. The Trumans moved into Blair House while a four-year, roughly $5.7 million reconstruction was completed. More than 70 years later demolition work began on the East Wing facade to allow construction of a planned $200 million ballroom that will seat 650 people versus the East Room's 200. Archival photos by Abbie Rowe document the Truman-era undertaking.
Read at Business Insider
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