Trump Orders Black Granite Floors for White House Colonnade

The new flooring is part of a series of architectural changes the former president has demanded across Washington.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:26am

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Former President Donald Trump has ordered the replacement of the Tennessee flagstone pavers in the West Wing Colonnade of the White House with black granite flooring. This is one of many architectural and design modifications Trump has pushed for since taking office in 2025, including changes to the White House East Wing and the Kennedy Center.

Why it matters

The choice of black granite, a material more commonly used for kitchen and bathroom counters, is meant to provide visual contrast with the gilding in the Colonnade. Trump's push for these types of design changes across Washington has raised questions about his presidential priorities and the role of the executive office in shaping the nation's public spaces.

The details

Workers began the process of replacing the current Tennessee flagstone pavers on Monday. Once removed, the dark tan flagstone will be kept under the control of the National Park Service at an undisclosed nursery 'for future use.' The Colonnade, an open-air pathway connecting the Executive Mansion to the president's office, is lined with Doric columns and includes the Presidential Walk of Fame, a Trump-designed wall lined with framed portraits of former U.S. leaders and shiny ornamental moldings.

  • Workers began replacing the flagstone pavers on Monday, March 24, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who ordered the replacement of the White House Colonnade's flooring with black granite.

National Park Service

The agency that will be responsible for storing the removed Tennessee flagstone pavers at an undisclosed nursery for future use.

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The takeaway

Trump's push for architectural changes to prominent Washington landmarks like the White House reflects his desire to leave a lasting imprint on the nation's public spaces, even after leaving office. These modifications raise questions about the appropriate role of the executive branch in shaping the capital's built environment.