White House Is Getting a Big Upgrade

Workers are busy while president is away
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 13, 2017 8:11 AM CDT
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Construction machinery are seen on the ground White House grounds in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

While the president is away, the West Wing isn't exactly playing: It's undergoing a renovation so massive that all staffers not currently with President Trump in New Jersey have been evacuated to an adjacent office building, reports ABC News. Among items on the lengthy punchlist: Replacing the 27-year-old HVAC system, repairing the South Portico steps, renovating the West Wing lower lobby and Navy mess kitchen, resurfacing the Oval Office's hardwood floors, new carpet, and upgrading the IT system. Click through the gallery for a look at the work. (More White House stories.)

Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Moving and storage containers are placed on the driveway entrance to the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Workmen prepare new carpeting for the West Wing of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, as it undergoes renovations while President Trump is at his golf resort in New Jersey.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
A Secret Service agent checks on the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, as the West Wing is undergoing renovations while President Trump is at his golf resort in New Jersey.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
A sign alerts visitors at a West Wing entrance of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, during renovations while President Trump is at his golf resort in New Jersey.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
The Roosevelt Room in the the West Wing of the White House undergoes renovations while President Trump is at his golf resort in New Jersey, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Workmen install new carpet in the West Wing of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
A sign in the Palm Room alerts visitors as the West Wing is undergoing renovations.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Workmen prepare new carpeting for the West Wing of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Workmen prepare new carpeting for the West Wing of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
The hardwood floor of the Oval Office is resurfaced as the West Wing undergoes renovations while President Trump is spending time at his golf resort in New Jersey, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
The hardwood floor of the Oval Office is resurfaced as the West Wing undergoes renovations while President Donald Trump is at his golf resort in New Jersey, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Workmen carry new carpeting into the West Wing of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
PODS are loaded from the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.   (AP Photo/Laurie Kellman)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Cranes are positioned in front of the South Portico of the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, during renovations.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Cranes are positioned in front of the South Portico of the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, during renovations.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peek at the White House's Big Renovation
Cranes are positioned in front of the South Portico of the White House, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, during renovations.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)