The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) on Thursday reportedly purchased a Chattanooga office building as part of its plan to construct a new federal courthouse, largely using condemned parking lots, in a plan it said will save taxpayers up to $117 million, while complying with President Donald Trump’s executive order that established classical architecture as the preferred and default style for government buildings.
While about $218 million was originally authorized to purchase land and construct the new courthouse under the Biden administration, in February the GSA announced that it was moving forward with a plan to acquire property on Vine Street, ultimately saving taxpayers up to $117 million in the process.
According to Chattanoogan, the federal government acquired the two-story building on Thursday for $4.1 million. It reportedly offered just under $5 million for the remaining property it intends to use for the courthouse, which appears to largely consist of paved parking lots, and is considering condemnation in order to access the land.
“We carefully considered all options for the new Chattanooga courthouse,” GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst said in February. “The Vine Street site is the location where we’ll deliver a courthouse that’s secure, constructed swiftly, saves taxpayer dollars, and complies with President Trump’s EO on Big Beautiful Buildings.”
Trump signed his Promoting Beautiful Civic Architecture order on January 20, 2025, which was one of several orders signed by the president on the subject upon reentering the White House. The order required the GSA to adopt a policy establishing that, “Federal public buildings should be visually identifiable as civic buildings and respect regional, traditional, and classical architectural heritage in order to uplift and beautify public spaces and ennoble the United States and our system of self-government.”
When the president announced his ambitious project to renovate the East Wing, the White House notably said it selected a Washington, D.C. architect who is known for classical architecture.
In February, the president released renderings of the massive, neoclassical structure, which is set to hold an 89,000-square-foot ballroom.
“Will be the Greatest Ballroom ever built, now rising at the site of the White House,” wrote Trump. “Fully paid for by American Patriot Donors. ZERO cost to our United States Taxpayers!”
U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) filed legislation that would codify Trump’s executive order requiring federal buildings be built in the classical architectural style into law last year.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photos “White House Ballroom Renderings” by Shalom Baranes Associates.
@cannoneertwo good catch. It certainly warrants better reporting, including comments from Unum. Why were they resisting the sale? were they trying to hold out for a higher price, or did they have their own development plans for the site? Some other reason (maybe they just hate Trump)? I’m sure there are other questions which should have been asked and reported on.
The land wasn’t merely “acquired”, it was forcibly taken from the rightful owner. From the article…
“The remainder of the property at the courthouse site is owned by Unum, which has resisted selling the property.
The government in February began condemnation proceedings on 3.29 acres bounded by East 5th Street to the north, Lindsay Street to the east, Vine Street to the south, and Georgia Avenue to the west.