🔗 Share this article

NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point in his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for most New York City mayors from the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key policy, hesitated to declare he would live there immediately after his triumph in November.

"The choice was based on our family's safety and the need to focusing all of my focus on implementing the platform on affordability voters supported," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district known for its abundance of immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for showing us what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving in the neighborhood, the community will forever remain inside me and my work," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

During his election campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

Yet his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit although he hails from a well-known family.

A House Not Always Used

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg argued it should be a place for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience surroundings very different than his modest Astoria digs.

Featuring pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Internally, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated consistent with the home's historical period.

The property, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also has enhanced security to protect the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments essential protections as the housing expenses exceeds the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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