The Mayor-Elect affirms his intention to make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion
The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his run for office.
A Historic Residence
Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors since the post-war period.
Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core platform, was not quick to announce his residency plans right away following his electoral win in November.
"The choice rested on our family's safety and the need to dedicating all of my focus on enacting the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani in his announcement.
A Fond Farewell
He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area renowned for its abundance of immigrant populations and international dining.
"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the best of New York City," he noted.
"While I may no longer live in Astoria, the community will always live a part of me and the work I do," he affirmed.
Political Debate
Throughout his campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.
But his critics, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment even though he came from a well-known family.
Not All Mayors Stayed
Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.
Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his private home on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.
Instead, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a space for civic gatherings, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the older mansion.
A Stately Residence
Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his previous Astoria digs.
Featuring butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.
Inside, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed to reflect the home's historical period.
The property, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.
Ghostly Tales
Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.
Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.
The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."
A Critical Policy Issue
His former home is under rent control, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can increase rent each year.
City residents consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds the means of many residents.
It was reported Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.
Based on data from the property website Zillow, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.
