Repairs, renovations and upgrades: Inside the White House facelift

While Trump is on a working vacation, the White House is getting an overhaul.

ByABC News
August 12, 2017, 1:25 AM

— -- The White House is getting ready for its close-up.

While President Trump is in New Jersey on a working vacation, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is a hotbed of activity, with tradespeople buzzing around working a major facelift.

PHOTO: Workers measure and cut new carpeting in the driveway outside the West Wing during renovation work at the White House August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Workers measure and cut new carpeting in the driveway outside the West Wing during renovation work at the White House August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. The General Services Administration is overseeing the rennovation work during the two week project to update and repair the working area of the White House, including a replacement of the 27-year-old White House heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
PHOTO: A worker carries scaffolding outside the West Wing during renovation work at the White House August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: A worker carries scaffolding outside the West Wing during renovation work at the White House August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Government Services Administration is overseeing the rennovation work during the two week project to update and repair the working area of the White House, including a replacement of the 27-year-old White House heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
PHOTO: Workers repair the South Portico steps, part of a large renovation project at the White House August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Workers repair the South Portico steps, part of a large renovation project at the White House August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Government Services Administration is overseeing the rennovation work during the two week project to update and repair the working area of the White House, including the South Portico steps which were rebuilt in 1952 and have not been repaired since.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Oval Office and other working quarters of the West Wing have been cleared of furniture while crews work on upgrades, including to the 27-year-old heating and air conditioning system.

Leaks are also being fixed, the South Portico steps are being repaired, the Navy mess kitchen and West Wing lower lobby are being renovated, and the IT system is being upgraded.

PHOTO: Furniture and materials from the White House are stored in temporary containers outside the West Wing while remodeling work continues August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Furniture and materials from the White House are stored in temporary containers outside the West Wing while remodeling work continues August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Government Services Administration is overseeing the rennovation work during the two week project to update and repair the working area of the White House, including a replacement of the 27-year-old White House heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Cranes are seen infront of the south front of the White House as it undergoes renovations on August 9, 2017 in Washington, DC.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The renovations are so thorough that West Wing staffers who are not with Trump in the Garden State have been temporarily relocated to an office building next to the White House.

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