🔗 Share this article

The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue during his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core issue, was not quick to announce his residency plans promptly after his triumph in November.

"This decision rested on our family's safety and the importance of dedicating my full attention on carrying out the platform on affordability voters elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in Astoria, Queens, a district renowned for its vibrant cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," he noted.

"Even though I'm moving in the neighborhood, the community will always live inside me and my work," he said.

A Contentious Issue

During his campaign, Mamdani linked his central policy – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

Yet his rivals, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the affordable housing even though he came from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a place for official events, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting far removed from his previous Astoria digs.

With its cream-colored walls, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is under rent control, a policy where the city regulates on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds the average income.

Records showed Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Per figures from real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.