Zohran Mamdani affirms he will make his home in historic Gracie Mansion
New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point throughout his campaign.
An Iconic Home
Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the post-war period.
Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, hesitated to declare he would live there right away following his electoral win in November.
"The choice was based on our family's safety and the imperative to directing my full attention on enacting the agenda for affordability the city's residents supported," Mamdani said in his announcement.
Thanking a Neighborhood
His home was in Astoria, Queens, an area known for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.
"To Astoria: thank you for exemplifying what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.
"While I may no longer live there, the community will forever remain within me and my work," he affirmed.
A Contentious Issue
During his campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.
Yet his rivals, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the affordable housing even though he came from a well-known family.
Not All Mayors Stayed
Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.
Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012.
Instead, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a space for civic gatherings, and championed significant upgrades of the historic mansion.
A Grand New Home
Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment far removed from his modest Astoria apartment.
Featuring butter yellow paint, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.
Within, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished to reflect the home's original era.
The property, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.
Haunted History
A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.
Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.
The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."
Affordable Housing Lifeline
The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, which means the city regulates on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.
New Yorkers consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.
Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.
Per figures from real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.
