US President Donald Trump plans to knock down the entire existing structure of the White House East Wing to construct a new ballroom - despite previous assurances that the addition would not interfere with the current building.
The sight of demolitions has sparked an uproar from Democrats as well as conservation groups, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which wrote a letter calling on Trump to hold a public review process.
As a former property developer, Trump has extensive experience of navigating planning restrictions, and has occasionally found himself on a collision course with campaigners objecting to his plans.
Under a nearly-60-year-old law, the White House and several other notable buildings are exempt from a key historic preservation rule - though one expert told the BBC that presidents typically follow it anyway.
Trump's renovation appears to be the biggest in decades, but the president of the US does have the power to make those changes.
Numerous presidents have made renovations in the past, including additions like a bowling alley and an indoor swimming pool.
Under a law known as the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies must examine the impact of construction projects on historic properties. Specifically, Section 106 requires an extensive review process with public input.
According to Section 107 of the act, three buildings (including the White House) are exempt from this review. While historically, presidents have voluntarily submitted their plans for review, Trump officials have not done so yet, despite stating they intend to, while renovations are already underway.
Experts argue that the process of review is crucial for preserving historical context and that bypassing it could risk erasing significant memories tied to the East Wing.
