🔗 Share this article New York's next mayor states his intention to reside in the iconic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his election bid. A Traditional Abode Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors since the World War II era. Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, did not confirm he would live there immediately following his electoral win in November. "My choice came down to the security of my family and the importance of directing my full attention on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement. Leaving Astoria He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district renowned for its diverse immigrant populations and culinary diversity. "To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying the best of New York City," he expressed. "Although my address will change there, Astoria will always live inside me and my efforts as mayor," he added. Political Debate In his election campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant. However his critics, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he came from a prominent family. Previous Exceptions Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012. Instead, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a place for public city functions, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the older mansion. The facade of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Stately Residence Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience an environment very different than his modest Astoria digs. Featuring cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River. Within, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated to reflect the home's original era. The compound, which is said to has five bedrooms, also has enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family. Supernatural Speculation Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers. Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man." The Value of Rent Stabilization The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much landlords can increase rent each year. City residents consider these apartments crucial resources as the price of rent rises faster than the means of many residents. Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.