🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect confirms he will live in the storied Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that was a central issue throughout his campaign. A Traditional Abode Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors from the post-war period. Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, did not confirm his residency plans immediately following his victory in November. "The choice was based on our family's safety and the imperative to focusing all of my focus on carrying out the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday. A Fond Farewell His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area known for its diverse immigrant communities and global cuisine. "To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," he noted. "While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will continue to reside within me and my efforts as mayor," he added. Political Debate During his campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation. Yet his critics, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the apartment although he came 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 the Upper East Side during his time in office, which concluded in 2012. Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a space for civic gatherings, and pushed for significant upgrades of the aging mansion. The outside of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Grand New Home Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting a stark contrast to his humble Astoria apartment. Featuring butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River. Inside, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed to reflect the home's original era. The property, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family. Haunted History Past occupants have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents. Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man." A Critical Policy Issue Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, which means the city imposes caps on how much property owners can increase rent each year. City residents see such units as crucial resources as the cost of housing outpaces the average income. Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment. According to the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.