🔗 Share this article

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that was a central issue during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for the majority of New York City mayors since the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans immediately after his electoral win in November.

"The choice rested on keeping my family safe and the need to focusing all of my focus on enacting the platform on affordability voters supported," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in Astoria, Queens, an area famous for its vibrant immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

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

"Although my address will change there, Astoria will always live within me and my work," he said.

A Contentious Issue

In his campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

Yet his rivals, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit even though he came from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it should be a venue for public city functions, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

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

Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.

The compound, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts enhanced security to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, meaning the city imposes caps on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

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

Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.