Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump boasted earlier this year that the US would spend only $200,000 to $300,000 on a new US Embassy in Jerusalem, but it seems the project will cost nearly $20 million more than that estimate.

The State Department has awarded a $21.2 million contract to the Maryland-based firm Desbuild Limak to design and build "compound security upgrades" for the Arnona building in Jerusalem, according to documents made public this month.

The US spent just under $400,000 on modifications to the consular facility that allowed it to open as the US Embassy in May, but the State Department told CNN at the time that it planned "for construction of a new extension at the interim site as well as for additional security enhancements, at an additional cost."

A State Department spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that the $21.2 million contract is dedicated to "the design and building of this second phase."

"As the President stated, the cost of initial modifications made to permit the Embassy to open on May 14 was approximately $400,000. Following the May 14 opening, we have moved on to planning for and construction of a new extension and security enhancements at the interim site," the spokesperson told CNN.

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