🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect confirms plans to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that was a central issue during his campaign. A Traditional Abode Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for the majority of New York City mayors since the World War II era. Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans immediately after his electoral win in November. "My choice came down to the security of my family and the imperative to dedicating all of my focus on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani in his announcement. Leaving Astoria He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and international dining. "To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for showing us what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said. "Even though I'm moving in Astoria, it will continue to reside a part of me and the work I do," he added. Political Debate In his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant. However his opponents, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment even though he is from a well-known family. Previous Exceptions Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which concluded in 2012. Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for public city functions, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion. The facade of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Stately Residence Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment far removed from his humble Astoria home. Adorned in pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River. Within, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished consistent with the home's original era. The compound, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also has increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family. Haunted History Some residents have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers. Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care what people claim," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man." The Value of Rent Stabilization The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year. Tenants see such units as crucial resources as the housing expenses outpaces the means of many residents. Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.