Demolition of White House East Wing
To the editor:
In the late 1980s, I was appointed by the governor of New Jersey and confirmed by the New Jersey Senate as the chairman of the New Jersey Building Authority. Among the responsibilities of the authority was the construction of all structures to be used by the state. We were also charged with the restoration of the New Jersey State House that literally was crumbling. The state house was designed by architect Jonathan Doane and construction began in 1792. It is the third longest functioning state house in the United States. The building initially housed both legislative chambers, as well as the supreme court. Over the years, the building was expanded to meet the needs of the ever-growing state. Major expansions occurred in 1845 and 1865. In 1871, new wings were built for both legislative chambers. A major fire destroyed one of the legislative wings in 1885. A rotunda and dome similar to the U.S. Capitol were also added.
In 1900 and 1903, the legislative wings were expanded again in the “American Renaissance” style. It attained its current size in 1912 as other additions were added. The only other change was a modernization of the main corridor in 1950. I cite these modifications to the original state house to underscore that function and growth necessitated the expansions and renovations.
In 1987, major lengthy renovations were begun, which I was in charge of. The project was necessary as there were major issues with water intrusion and rotted timbers, as well as mechanical and electrical systems.
However, no work was started until there was extensive research on the building, its original design and the materials used in the construction. Historic architects were hired to do the research and the resulting design. We also hired a construction firm well versed and experienced in historic restorations. They were the same firm that did much of the work on the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We decided to restore the state house to a pre-determined time period, specifically the early 1900s. We researched the design and materials used, even doing extensive analysis of the type and color of paint used. We reached out to the vendors who supplied the original furnishings and carpet. We actually found many were still in existence and were located in Philadelphia. We had new carpet weaved in the exact same design, color and material as those in the building in the early 1900s.
Unfortunately, we were unable to locate craftsmen to do some of the specialized work we needed to have done. We did find them in England and we hired them to come to New Jersey to do the finishing work the historic design and restoration required.
We tried to adhered to the original construction of the building as much as possible. If a room was painted a certain color, it was painted that color again. If a door way was not quite square, it was rebuilt in the original dimensions. Using historic guidelines also eliminated a lot of political bickering on design, colors, even the type and color of radiators. All legislative desks were refinished, but imperfections and carved initials of previous legislators were left.
We found many long forgotten design components, like a large Tiffany skylight in what had originally been the supreme court. Of course, we also found mold, asbestos and water intrusion that had damaged a great deal of the plaster work.
The project also consisted of a south office addition, a parking garage, pedestrian tunnel and other amenities that were sorely needed.
All, however, were built with sensitivity toward the historic state house and did not overshadow the building in its design or size.
In 2017, a $300 million restoration of the entire rest of the building was completed. This time, the work mainly focused upon the governor’s office and the executive branch. This restoration was completed in 2023.
My point is that I recognize even the most historic of buildings will from time to time require restorations and even expansions. However, they should be done with the upmost care and attention to their historic design and purpose. I fear that the massing alone of the proposed 90,000-square-foot new ballroom addition will overshadow the most historic building in the United States: the White House.
How was the East Wing destroyed without any historic review or approvals? What are the credentials of the construction firm that demolished the East Wing. What will be the credentials and experience of the firm that will build the new addition?
Who were these supposed great architects who were hired to design this monster of a building? What is their experience in restoration of historic buildings? What research did they do?
Other than some childish type drawings, how will this addition function, as well as look? The number of square feet do not jive with the numbers supposedly this addition is to accommodate.
This project should be immediately suspended until all the historic and legally required reviews are completed. The building, if built, should adhere to strict historic guidelines.
This building is not a resort, nor a hotel, for private use. It should not be built upon the whim of one man, whose taste is suspect and lends itself to golden Mar-a-Lago design standards. Once the historic nature of the White House is lost, it will be lost for all future generations.
Frank R. Nero Sr.
Sanibel