🔗 Share this article

The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors since the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key policy, hesitated to declare he would live there immediately following his electoral win in November.

"This decision rested on our family's safety and the need to focusing all of my focus on enacting the platform on affordability New Yorkers elected me on," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, a district famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, it will forever remain within me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his core platform – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements.

But his rivals, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing even though he came from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side during his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it should be a place for civic gatherings, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting very different than his humble Astoria home.

With its cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, meaning the city regulates on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

Tenants consider these apartments essential protections as the housing expenses exceeds the average income.

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

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