🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect states plans to make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his run for office. An Iconic Home Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors after the mid-20th century. Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central platform, was not quick to announce this decision right away following his triumph in November. "The choice rested on keeping my family safe and the imperative to focusing my full attention on enacting the agenda for affordability voters elected me on," stated Mamdani in a statement. Thanking a Neighborhood His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district renowned for its diverse immigrant populations and international dining. "To Astoria: thank you for showing us the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said. "While I may no longer live in Astoria, Astoria will always live inside me and my work," he affirmed. Political Debate Throughout his campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation. Yet his rivals, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he is from a prominent family. Not All Mayors Stayed 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 throughout his time in office, which ended in 2012. In his view, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a venue for civic gatherings, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the older mansion. The exterior of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Vastly Different Setting Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment very different than his humble Astoria apartment. Adorned in butter yellow paint, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River. Inside, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated consistent with the home's original era. The estate, which is said to has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family. Supernatural Speculation Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents. Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily. Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man." Affordable Housing Lifeline His former home is rent stabilised, a policy where 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 outpaces the average income. Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.