New York's next mayor affirms his intention to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion
New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his run for office.
An Iconic Home
Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors after the World War II era.
However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans immediately following his victory in November.
"The choice rested on the security of my family and the need to dedicating all of my focus on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.
Leaving Astoria
Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine.
"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating what is great about New York City," he expressed.
"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, the community will always live within me and the work I do," he added.
Campaign Controversy
During his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his central policy – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.
However his opponents, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a prominent family.
A House Not Always Used
Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.
Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which wrapped up in 2012.
Instead, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a space for civic gatherings, and championed a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.
A Vastly Different Setting
As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting far removed from his modest Astoria home.
Featuring butter yellow paint, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home situated by the East River.
Inside, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed consistent with the home's original era.
The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.
Haunted History
Some residents have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.
Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.
Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care what people claim," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."
Affordable Housing Lifeline
Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, which means the city sets limits on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.
Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the price of rent rises faster than what many can afford.
Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.
Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.
