🔗 Share this article

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate in his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans right away following his victory in November.

"The choice rested on keeping my family safe and the imperative to dedicating my complete efforts on implementing the platform on affordability voters elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community famous for its diverse immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, it will always live inside me and the work I do," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his rivals, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit although he hails from a prominent family.

A House Not Always Used

Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his private home on the Upper East Side for his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a space for public city functions, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment very different than his modest Astoria apartment.

Featuring butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The property, which is said to has several bedrooms, also has enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

His former home is rent stabilised, which means the city regulates on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the cost of housing exceeds the average income.

It was reported Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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