🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect states his intention to make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that became a focal point during his campaign. A Traditional Abode Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the mid-20th century. But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key platform, hesitated to declare this decision immediately after his electoral win in November. "The choice was based on keeping my family safe and the need to directing all of my focus on implementing the affordability agenda the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement. Thanking a Neighborhood Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and culinary diversity. "To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the best of New York City," he noted. "Even though I'm moving in the neighborhood, Astoria will continue to reside inside me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed. A Contentious Issue During his election campaign, Mamdani linked his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation. However his rivals, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the affordable housing despite the fact that he hails from a well-known family. A House Not Always Used Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012. In his view, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a space for public city functions, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the older mansion. The facade of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Vastly Different Setting Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings very different than his humble Astoria apartment. Adorned in butter yellow paint, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River. Within, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's original era. The property, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to secure the mayor and his family. Haunted History Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents. Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises. Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he insisted 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 sets limits on how much property owners can increase rent each year. City residents see such units as crucial resources as the price of rent rises faster than what many can afford. Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.