The Mayor-Elect affirms plans to make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion
New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that became a focal point during his run for office.
A Traditional Abode
Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors from the post-war period.
However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key policy, did not confirm he would live there immediately after his victory in November.
"My choice was based on our family's safety and the need to focusing all of my focus on enacting the platform on affordability New Yorkers supported," stated Mamdani in a statement.
Leaving Astoria
He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area renowned for its abundance of immigrant communities and global cuisine.
"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.
"Even though I'm moving in the neighborhood, Astoria will continue to reside a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.
Campaign Controversy
In his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.
But his rivals, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the apartment although he came from a well-known family.
Not All Mayors Stayed
Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.
Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his time in office, which ended in 2012.
Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for public city functions, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.
A Grand New Home
Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting very different than his humble Astoria home.
Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.
Within, the first floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed to reflect the home's original era.
The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.
Haunted History
Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.
Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.
Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."
A Critical Policy Issue
His former home is rent stabilised, which means the city imposes caps on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.
City residents see such units as essential protections as the cost of housing exceeds the average income.
Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.
Per figures from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.