🔗 Share this article

NYC's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors after the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key policy, hesitated to declare he would live there promptly following his triumph in November.

"My choice rested on our family's safety and the need to dedicating my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability voters elected me on," Mamdani said in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine.

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

"Even though I'm moving there, Astoria will forever remain within me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

Political Debate

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

Yet his critics, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment although he is from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his tenure, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a space for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment a stark contrast to his modest Astoria apartment.

With its pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.

Inside, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed to reflect the home's original era.

The estate, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, a policy where the city sets limits on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

Tenants consider these apartments crucial resources as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford.

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

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