2 min readA helipad appears likely to become President Donald Trump’s next addition to the White House. After paving over the Rose Garden, razing the East Wing for a $400 million ballroom, and installing black granite pavers at the West Wing Colonnade, Trump wants to build a permanent landing spot for Marine One on the South Lawn of the Washington landmark, per The Wall Street Journal.
The president is reportedly in the midst of planning discussions as to the specifications of the helipad, which is being installed to allegedly prevent damage to the grass. The idea comes alongside the introduction of a new fleet of presidential helicopters, which fly under the Marine One call sign, but are heavier than past models. Made by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky, they also apparently emit exhaust capable of burning the lawn, especially in hot or dry conditions.
Marine One with President Donald Trump aboard lands on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2026.
The new helicopters, called the VH-92A Patriot, are supposed to replace the aging VH-3D Sea King, which has flown every president since Gerald Ford, who left office in 1977. The VH-92A made its debut in 2019 but did not carry a commander in chief until President Joe Biden in 2024. While Trump has flown on the new Marine One numerous times, the aircraft has not picked up or dropped off either Trump or Biden on the South Lawn due to concerns over damage to the landscape.
The Marine Corps has spent years trying unsuccessfully to modify the VH-92A to alleviate any potential harm, as they can only retire the VH-3D once the new fleet is able to land at the White House. According to documents uncovered by WSJ, the Marine Corps was aiming to retire the VH-3D this year but now plans on using the model into 2027.
In addition to the White House, the government is also aiming to construct a helipad at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s club in Palm Beach. There is no indication of when either landing spot would be installed.
Geoffrey Montes is an associate editor at ELLE Decor with a serious love for all things real estate and design. Before that, he worked at Architectural Digest, Galerie, and Preservation magazines, covering everything from jaw-dropping listings to world-famous architects and design events like Salone del Mobile and Homo Faber.