🔗 Share this article Zohran Mamdani confirms he will make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that sparked debate in his run for office. A Traditional Abode Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors after the mid-20th century. But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key platform, hesitated to declare he would live there immediately following his triumph in November. "This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on implementing the agenda for affordability voters elected me on," stated Mamdani on Monday. Leaving Astoria He resided in Astoria, Queens, an area renowned for its diverse cultural enclaves and global cuisine. "To the people of Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying what is great about New York City," he noted. "While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain inside me and my work," he added. Campaign Controversy Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant. Yet his rivals, including ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a prominent family. Previous Exceptions Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which concluded in 2012. Rather, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a venue for official events, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the older mansion. The facade of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Grand New Home As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment a stark contrast to his humble Astoria apartment. Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River. Within, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's historical period. The property, which is said to has five bedrooms, also has increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family. Supernatural Speculation A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers. Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man." A Critical Policy Issue Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, a policy where the city regulates on how much building managers can raise the rent each year. New Yorkers see such units as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income. Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.