🔗 Share this article

New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue throughout his election bid.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, hesitated to declare he would live there immediately following his victory in November.

"This decision came down to our family's safety and the need to dedicating my complete efforts on implementing the agenda for affordability the city's residents elected me on," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

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

"To Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain inside me and my work," he added.

Campaign Controversy

In his election campaign, Mamdani tied his key pledge – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his rivals, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment although he hails from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his private home on the Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for civic gatherings, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will experience an environment far removed from his humble Astoria apartment.

With its butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.

The compound, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to secure the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, meaning the city sets limits on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the cost of housing exceeds the average income.

It was reported Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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