The White House East Wing, as it exists today, was primarily built in 1942 during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. It was constructed on top of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, an underground bunker, and serves as office space for the First Lady and her staff. However, the first small East Wing was originally built earlier, during the Theodore Roosevelt renovations in 1902, serving mainly as an entrance for formal and public visitors. Over the years, it has undergone many modifications and expansions, including adding a second floor in 1942. Recently, demolition began on part of the East Wing in 2025 to make way for a new ballroom planned by President Trump, illustrating ongoing changes to this historic structure.
