🔗 Share this article

New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue throughout his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors since the World War II era.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key issue, was not quick to announce he would live there promptly following his victory in November.

"My choice came down to our family's safety and the imperative to dedicating all of my focus on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community famous for its vibrant immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the best of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, it will always live within me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

Campaign Controversy

In his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his opponents, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the affordable housing despite the fact that he came from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his time in office, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a place for official events, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience a setting far removed from his humble Astoria apartment.

Featuring cream-colored walls, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Inside, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished consistent with the home's original era.

The estate, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "I don't care what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is rent-stabilized, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Per figures from real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.