🔗 Share this article

The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that sparked debate throughout his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors since the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans promptly following his electoral win in November.

"My choice came down to keeping my family safe and the need to focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the affordability agenda voters voted for," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in Astoria, Queens, an area known for its diverse immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, Astoria will forever remain inside me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

A Contentious Issue

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

Yet his opponents, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the apartment despite the fact that he is from a well-known family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his time in office, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for civic gatherings, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings very different than his modest Astoria apartment.

With its pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure 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 reportedly has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

City residents see such units as crucial resources as the price of rent rises faster than what many can afford.

Records showed Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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