🔗 Share this article

The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that became a focal point during his election bid.

A Historic Residence

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors after the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans immediately following his triumph in November.

"This decision rested on the security of my family and the importance of directing my complete efforts on enacting the agenda for affordability voters supported," Mamdani said in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in Astoria, Queens, a community known for its diverse immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"Even though I'm moving there, it will continue to reside inside me and the work I do," he said.

Campaign Controversy

During his election campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.

But his rivals, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit even though he came from a prominent family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

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

Rather, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a space for official events, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment a stark contrast to his previous Astoria apartment.

Featuring butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated to reflect the home's historical period.

The compound, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

His former home is rent-stabilized, a policy where the city regulates on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

Records showed Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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