@futurebird @waitworry The whole process introduces a lot of opportunities for shoddy workmanship and poor materials (and his trademark stiffing the contractors move).

I anticipate a *hefty* post-construction maintenance bill, not to mention the cost of the work to make it harmonious with the rest of the building when we have the ability to do so. (I don't know how expensive it is to remove the Regional Car Dealership Rococo* trimmings when they've been built in, but I expect it won't be cheap.)

*Hat tip to McMansion Hell: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mcmansionization-126873692

@robotistry @waitworry

OK I deeply resent being put in a position of doing anything even adjacent to "defending" anything this man has done... HOWEVER.

His buildings are the only projects he's ever made money on. They were kind of on time (as much as is expected in that field) and they are "not dysfunctional" I don't like his taste. But it met "market needs."

The Whitehouse is an ugly building. Uglier than Trump Tower. There. I said it. I hate that plantation-looking stuffy old building.

@robotistry @waitworry

I expect the new ballroom wing to be just as bad as what it replaced. In that sense it will be a continuation of the tradition of this kind of architecture.

But if we need to tear the wing down again we can.

@robotistry @waitworry

And that's enough "hot takes" from me for one day.

I think it’s more about the fact that he’s a real estate developer. The one thing that he actually knows is how to do is a real estate project: he has actual experience, knows the process end to end. It’s probably very comforting for him to work on something where he’s not out of his depth.

(for this reason the only thing I don’t worry about with this clown show is the white house construction)

@robotistry @waitworry

And that's enough "hot takes" from me for one day.

@futurebird His past history is one of failure. Trump projects are always shoddy.

@robotistry @waitworry

I expect the new ballroom wing to be just as bad as what it replaced. In that sense it will be a continuation of the tradition of this kind of architecture.

But if we need to tear the wing down again we can.

@robotistry @waitworry

I expect the new ballroom wing to be just as bad as what it replaced. In that sense it will be a continuation of the tradition of this kind of architecture.

But if we need to tear the wing down again we can.

@futurebird @robotistry @waitworry Thinking of the Eiffel Tower for some reason

@futurebird @robotistry @waitworry Oh, I think it'll be worse; they're moving from (fairly low-grade) Federalist to Bank Neoclassical. The columns will be bigger and uglier, with the intent of being more imposing and feeling like, well, an investment bank. I like to think it's because this is where you come to give Trump money.

The old building wasn't much but it wasn't a statement, either. They mostly built it to hide the bunker underneath. Either way, it'll be uglier, both visually and spiritually, in intent.

@martinvermeer @robotistry @waitworry

one can become attached to anything.

I think it’s more about the fact that he’s a real estate developer. The one thing that he actually knows is how to do is a real estate project: he has actual experience, knows the process end to end. It’s probably very comforting for him to work on something where he’s not out of his depth.

(for this reason the only thing I don’t worry about with this clown show is the white house construction)

@futurebird
You know he has a history of buying cheap labour and then not paying for it, right?

@futurebird @martinvermeer @robotistry @waitworry

It became a scientific resource back in the day. Cosmic rays! Radio!

@robotistry @waitworry

But listen if this is the last straw for some people ... great.

I do wonder how such a person missed all of the other much larger and more massive straws. My camel's back broke long ago. Back in 2016 if not before that.

@robotistry

Okay I will say one more thing. The only reason I'm running my mouth putting a little cold water on the notion that "tearing down the East Wing of the White House is architectural terrorism etc. etc." is because I sincerely think it could go one of many ways. Generally presidents hate to make dramatic changes to the White House because of exactly this kind of reaction. (And it's not the oldest part, so come on.)

@robotistry

It could be that in some happy future we write "Nearly everything that occurred during the Trump presidency was a disaster, except for the White House renovation."

Is it very likely? I give it a chance.

I also understand that he has not earned the trust to do this, so if people find it upsetting that is very reasonable.

(And I really do think that building was ugly and dysfunctional.)

I think it’s more about the fact that he’s a real estate developer. The one thing that he actually knows is how to do is a real estate project: he has actual experience, knows the process end to end. It’s probably very comforting for him to work on something where he’s not out of his depth.

(for this reason the only thing I don’t worry about with this clown show is the white house construction)

@futurebird Doesn't he mostly just lease the rights to his name and not actually develop shit himself? He was involved in actually building stuff with his dad back in the 70s and 80s but seems like it's been mostly buying out other companies and selling licensing deals since then...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/trump-worldwide-licensing/