🔗 Share this article New York's next mayor affirms he will live in the iconic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani NYC's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point throughout his run for office. An Iconic Home Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the post-war period. However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key platform, hesitated to declare he would live there right away following his triumph in November. "The choice came down to the security of my family and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability New Yorkers supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement. Thanking a Neighborhood Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, an area known for its vibrant immigrant populations and global cuisine. "To the people of Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said. "Although my address will change in the neighborhood, the community will continue to reside within me and the work I do," he said. A Contentious Issue During his campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements. Yet his opponents, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the affordable housing despite the fact that he came from a famous family. Previous Exceptions Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which ended in 2012. Rather, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a venue for civic gatherings, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion. The exterior of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Vastly Different Setting When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment a stark contrast to his modest Astoria home. Adorned in butter yellow paint, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River. Internally, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated consistent with the home's original era. The estate, which is said to has several bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to safeguard the mayor and his family. Supernatural Speculation A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents. Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "I don't care the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man." Affordable Housing Lifeline His former home is under rent control, a policy where the city sets limits on how much property owners can raise the rent each year. City residents see such units as essential protections as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford. It was reported Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment. According to real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.