🔗 Share this article

The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that sparked debate throughout his election bid.

A Historic Residence

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for most New York City mayors from the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central issue, hesitated to declare this decision right away following his victory in November.

"This decision was based on the security of my family and the importance of focusing my full attention on carrying out the platform on affordability voters elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its abundance of immigrant communities and international dining.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for exemplifying the best of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change there, the community will forever remain inside me and my work," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

In his election campaign, Mamdani tied his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his critics, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the apartment although he hails from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all 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 time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a venue for civic gatherings, and pushed for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings a stark contrast to his previous Astoria home.

With its pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home situated by the East River.

Internally, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed consistent with the home's historical period.

The compound, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, which means the city sets limits on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

Tenants see such units as valuable lifelines as the price of rent outpaces what many can afford.

Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.