Plan to Paint Eisenhower Building Could Harm Historic Character, Report Says

President Donald Trump's proposal to paint the 19th-century Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) adjacent to the White House could harm the historic character of the White House complex, according to a draft environmental assessment released by the Trump administration. The plan, part of Trump's broader initiative to redecorate and beautify the nation's capital, is estimated to cost at least $7.5 million.

Preservationists, architects, and historians have raised concerns that painting the granite building, a 19th-century landmark, is ill-advised. They argue that granite is not intended to be painted and that paint could trap moisture, potentially degrading the stone over time. Trump has previously described the building's gray exterior as an undesirable color.

The draft assessment noted that the building's architect, Alfred B. Mullet, carefully selected the construction materials, which are considered integral to the building's historic character and original design. The EEOB and the Treasury building, both large and unpainted stone structures flanking the White House, establish a "visual hierarchy" at the seat of government that has remained consistent for 125 years. This established visual order would be disrupted by a paint job, the report stated.

While the assessment suggested that a proposed white mineral silica paint would likely be permeable enough to avoid trapping moisture and damaging the stone, it also indicated that further testing would be necessary. Preliminary tests indicated the paint could potentially be removed with minimal damage to the stone. However, the report also found that an alternative proposal involving cleaning and restoring the building, along with enhancing exterior lighting, would not negatively impact its historic character.