🔗 Share this article Zohran Mamdani states his intention to reside in historic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue throughout his election bid. A Traditional Abode Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors since the World War II era. However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans promptly following his triumph in November. "The choice was based on our family's safety and the importance of directing all of my focus on implementing the agenda for affordability the city's residents voted for," Mamdani said on Monday. A Fond Farewell His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district renowned for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine. "To Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said. "While I may no longer live there, the community will forever remain a part of me and the work I do," he affirmed. A Contentious Issue In his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his key pledge – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant. However his rivals, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a well-known family. A House Not Always Used Some mayors have opted to reside 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. Instead, Bloomberg felt it should be a space for public city functions, and pushed for significant upgrades of the older mansion. The exterior of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Stately Residence As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings far removed from his humble Astoria apartment. Adorned in cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River. Internally, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed to reflect the home's original era. The compound, which is said to has several bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to secure the mayor and his family. Supernatural Speculation A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents. Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds. Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care what people claim," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man." A Critical Policy Issue His former home is under rent control, which means the city imposes caps on how much building managers can increase rent each year. City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces the means of many residents. Records showed Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment. Per figures from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.