🔗 Share this article

The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate throughout his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for most New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, hesitated to declare this decision immediately after his electoral win in November.

"The choice came down to the security of my family and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for," Mamdani said in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area known for its diverse immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying what is great about New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live there, Astoria will always live inside me and the work I do," he said.

Campaign Controversy

In his election campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his opponents, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he hails from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

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

Instead, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a place for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience an environment far removed from his previous Astoria apartment.

Featuring cream-colored walls, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.

The compound, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

Some residents have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, a policy where the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds the means of many residents.

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

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