The White House East Wing, initially constructed in 1902 during the Theodore Roosevelt administration, first served as a formal entrance for guests and a cloakroom. Expanded significantly in 1942, it primarily concealed the vital Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) underground bunker and subsequently housed offices for the First Lady and her staff, with Rosalynn Carter being the first to establish her official office there in 1977. This wing also included the East Colonnade, connecting to the Executive Residence and traditionally serving as the main entry for social and touring visitors. However, in a controversial development, much of the East Wing was demolished starting in October 2025 to make way for a new, larger White House State Ballroom, a decision that proceeded without proper regulatory review and despite initial denials of planned demolition.