A look inside the White House as it undergoes renovations

President Trump may be in New Jersey for a 17-day vacation, but the White House has been humming with activity as it undergoes a series of renovations. 

Construction started just before Trump and other White House staff left the West Wing last week.

Crews are working to replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a White House official told reporters last week. Because of the frequency of use, the HVAC system’s usage age is pegged at around 84 years old.{mosads}

South Portico steps on the South Lawn are also being restored for the first time since President Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House. 

Other improvements include: refurbishing the Navy mess kitchen, the building’s lower lobby, the information technology system and other cosmetic upgrades such as carpet replacements.

See photos of the ongoing construction and upgrades below:

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All furniture and carpeting have been removed from the Oval Office as it undergoes renovation work. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Furniture from the White House as well as other materials are being stored in temporary containers outside the West Wing as construction work continues. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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New carpeting for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is measured and cut by workers. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Workers lay out new carpeting in the hallway between the Lower and Upper Press Offices. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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 Parts of the Rose Garden have been left closed off as construction continues. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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New granite curb is installed on the ground of the White House in front of the West Wing. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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The South Portico steps are being repaired for the first time since Eisenhower’s administration. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)