President Trump's administration has unveiled an ambitious architectural proposal that could dramatically transform one of Washington, D.C.'s most recognizable structures.
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a French Second Empire-style landmark completed in 1888, would receive a complete exterior makeover under plans submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts this week. The proposal calls for painting the building's slate-gray stone facade white, a move administrators argue would address longstanding maintenance headaches and create visual harmony with the nearby White House.
The 135-year-old structure, which sits directly across a driveway from the West Wing and houses office space for key presidential staff including the National Security Council, has faced persistent criticism over its appearance and condition.
Why the Paint Job?
According to the administration's submission, the current grey facade has created what officials describe as a "significant visual disconnect" with surrounding architecture. The proposal states that "the color, design, and massing of the existing structure does not align visually with the surrounding architecture and lacks any symbolic cohesion with the White House."
The plan highlights visible cracks and deteriorating exterior maintenance as evidence of the building's declining condition. Administrators argue that painting the stone offers a practical solution to recurring maintenance problems that have plagued the structure for years.
"The inability to bring the stone facade back to a baseline color has plagued the maintenance of the Executive Office Building in the past, and will continue to plague it if not addressed," the proposal states.
The administration included architectural renderings showing the building's anticipated appearance in white, presenting a striking contrast to its current slate-grey exterior.
Next Steps
The Commission of Fine Arts, an advisory panel that guides public architecture and design decisions in the nation's capital, will review the proposal during a presentation scheduled for April 16. The commission, which includes Trump appointees, will determine whether the project moves forward.
The outcome could set a significant precedent for how the federal government approaches preservation and renovation of historic landmarks in Washington.
This article is based on reporting from CBS News, which first covered the Eisenhower Executive Office Building paint proposal on April 11, 2026.