White House facade ripped up as demolition begins for President Trump’s new ballroom

WASHINGTON (CBS, KYMA) - Cranes were spotted outside the White House as demolition began for President Donald Trump's new ballroom Monday.

The White House said the new White House State Ballroom "will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of ornately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people, a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House."

The project would cost over $200 million and was "expected to be completed long before the end of President Trump's term," the White House said.

The new construction would replace the historic East Wing of the White House, which dates back to 1902 and has been renovated multiple times, according to the Trump administration.

Trump had previously told media the new construction would not interfere with the existing White House building, telling reporters: "It won't interfere with the current building…It'll be near it but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of."

Footage shows demolition of the East Wing's facade Monday.