🔗 Share this article

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue throughout his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core issue, was not quick to announce this decision right away after his victory in November.

"This decision came down to the security of my family and the imperative to focusing my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability voters supported," stated Mamdani in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area renowned for its vibrant immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, it will always live within me and the work I do," he said.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements.

However his rivals, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment even though he came from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for civic gatherings, and championed significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings a stark contrast to his humble Astoria digs.

With its butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent stabilised, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

Tenants view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the price of rent outpaces the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.