🔗 Share this article

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue throughout his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for most New York City mayors since the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core platform, was not quick to announce he would live there right away following his electoral win in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the need to dedicating all of my focus on implementing the affordability agenda the city's residents voted for," Mamdani said in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district famous for its diverse cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, the community will continue to reside within me and the work I do," he said.

A Contentious Issue

During his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his key pledge – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his opponents, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the apartment even though he hails from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a place for official events, and championed significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience an environment a stark contrast to his previous Astoria apartment.

With its butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River.

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

The property, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent stabilised, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

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

Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.