🔗 Share this article

The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that sparked debate in his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors since the World War II era.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core platform, was not quick to announce he would live there immediately after his triumph in November.

"This decision rested on keeping my family safe and the importance of dedicating my full attention on enacting the affordability agenda voters supported," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community known for its abundance of cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

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

"While I may no longer live there, the community will always live a part of me and my work," he said.

Campaign Controversy

In his campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements.

But his rivals, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the affordable housing even though he hails from a prominent family.

A House Not Always Used

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his private home on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a place for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience an environment very different than his humble Astoria apartment.

Featuring butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished consistent with the home's historical period.

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

Haunted History

A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

His former home is under rent control, a policy where the city sets limits on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the housing expenses exceeds the means of many residents.

Records showed Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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