🔗 Share this article

The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central issue, did not confirm his residency plans right away following his electoral win in November.

"The choice was based on our family's safety and the imperative to directing my full attention on implementing the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating what is great about New York City," he expressed.

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

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

But his opponents, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment although he came from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his private home on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a space for public city functions, and championed an extensive renovation of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his previous Astoria digs.

With its butter yellow paint, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent stabilised, meaning the city regulates on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments essential protections as the price of rent outpaces what many can afford.

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

According to the real estate platform Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.