Zohran Mamdani affirms his intention to reside in the storied Gracie Mansion

The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that became a focal point during his campaign.

A Historic Residence

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core platform, hesitated to declare he would live there right away following his electoral win in November.

"The choice was based on the security of my family and the imperative to directing my full attention on enacting the agenda for affordability voters supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district famous for its abundance of cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change there, the community will continue to reside a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

A Contentious Issue

During his election campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his opponents, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he hails from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a venue for civic gatherings, and championed a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his previous Astoria home.

Featuring cream-colored walls, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished consistent with the home's original era.

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

Supernatural Speculation

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city sets limits on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

City residents consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces the average income.

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

Per figures from the real estate platform Zillow, the average rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.