🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect confirms he will make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind his rent-controlled apartment that became a focal point in his campaign. An Iconic Home Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors from the World War II era. But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans promptly following his victory in November. "The choice was based on our family's safety and the need to directing all of my focus on implementing the platform on affordability voters elected me on," Mamdani said in a statement. A Fond Farewell Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area known for its diverse immigrant populations and global cuisine. "To Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he expressed. "While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, the community will forever remain inside me and my efforts as mayor," he added. A Contentious Issue Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his core platform – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant. However his critics, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the apartment although he hails from a well-known family. A House Not Always Used Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his tenure, which ended in 2012. Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a venue for civic gatherings, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion. The outside of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Vastly Different Setting Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting very different than his modest Astoria digs. Adorned in butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River. Internally, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished consistent with the home's historical period. The property, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family. Ghostly Tales Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents. Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds. Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man." The Value of Rent Stabilization The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, a policy where the city regulates on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year. City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the price of rent exceeds the means of many residents. Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from the property website Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.