🔗 Share this article New York's next mayor confirms plans to reside in historic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate throughout his campaign. A Historic Residence Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era. However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key issue, did not confirm he would live there promptly following his victory in November. "My choice was based on the security of my family and the importance of dedicating all of my focus on implementing the platform on affordability voters elected me on," Mamdani said on Monday. Thanking a Neighborhood His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community renowned for its diverse immigrant populations and global cuisine. "To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the best of New York City," he noted. "While I may no longer live in Astoria, Astoria will always live a part of me and my work," he added. Political Debate In his campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant. But his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the apartment even though he came from a well-known family. Previous Exceptions Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012. Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a place for public city functions, and advocated for significant upgrades of the older mansion. The facade of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Stately Residence When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting far removed from his humble Astoria digs. With its butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River. Within, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins. The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to safeguard the mayor and his family. Haunted History Some residents 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 closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily. Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man." A Critical Policy Issue The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year. City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses rises faster than the means of many residents. Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment. Per figures from the property website Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.