New York's next mayor affirms plans to make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion
The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate in his campaign.
A Traditional Abode
Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for most New York City mayors from the post-war period.
Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans promptly following his victory in November.
"My choice came down to keeping my family safe and the need to dedicating my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability voters elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.
Thanking a Neighborhood
His home was in Astoria, Queens, a district known for its vibrant immigrant populations and culinary diversity.
"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," he noted.
"Although my address will change in Astoria, Astoria will continue to reside a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.
Campaign Controversy
During his campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.
However his rivals, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit although he is from a well-known family.
A House Not Always Used
Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.
Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his private home on the Upper East Side for his time in office, which concluded in 2012.
Rather, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for official events, and advocated for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.
A Grand New Home
When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting very different than his previous Astoria home.
With its pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.
Internally, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.
The compound, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.
Haunted History
Some residents have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.
Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.
Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."
The Value of Rent Stabilization
His former home is rent-stabilized, meaning the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.
City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing rises faster than the average income.
Records showed Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.
Based on data from the property website Zillow, the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.
