🔗 Share this article

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for most New York City mayors after the mid-20th century.

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

"My choice rested on our family's safety and the need to dedicating my complete efforts on carrying out the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in Astoria, Queens, a district renowned for its vibrant immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"While I may no longer live in Astoria, the community will forever remain inside me and the work I do," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his opponents, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit although he is from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg argued it should be a venue for civic gatherings, and championed an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings very different than his humble Astoria home.

Featuring cream-colored walls, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home situated by the East River.

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

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

Ghostly Tales

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, meaning the city imposes caps on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents consider these apartments essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

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

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