New York's next mayor confirms he will make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion
NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his run for office.
An Iconic Home
Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for most New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.
But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core policy, was not quick to announce he would live there right away following his victory in November.
"My choice was based on keeping my family safe and the imperative to dedicating my complete efforts on enacting the affordability agenda the city's residents voted for," stated Mamdani in a statement.
Leaving Astoria
He resided in Astoria, Queens, an area famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.
"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for showing us what is great about New York City," he expressed.
"Although my address will change in Astoria, it will always live inside me and the work I do," he said.
Political Debate
In his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his central policy – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.
However his opponents, including ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit although he hails from a famous family.
A House Not Always Used
Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.
Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which concluded in 2012.
Instead, Bloomberg argued it should be a place for public city functions, and championed significant upgrades of the historic mansion.
A Grand New Home
As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting a stark contrast to his previous Astoria digs.
Featuring pale yellow exterior, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.
Internally, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished consistent with the home's historical period.
The property, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.
Ghostly Tales
A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.
Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."
The Value of Rent Stabilization
His former home is rent stabilised, which means the city sets limits on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.
City residents view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces the average income.
Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.
Per figures from the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.
