🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect confirms plans to make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue during his run for office. A Traditional Abode Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the post-war period. But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans promptly following his triumph in November. "My choice was based on the security of my family and the need to directing my full attention on implementing the platform on affordability New Yorkers voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement. Thanking a Neighborhood Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community famous for its vibrant cultural enclaves and international dining. "To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," he noted. "While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, it will forever remain within me and the work I do," he said. Campaign Controversy Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements. However his opponents, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit even though he hails from a prominent family. Not All Mayors Stayed Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012. Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a venue for civic gatherings, and championed significant upgrades of the aging mansion. The outside of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Stately Residence Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings very different than his previous Astoria home. Featuring butter yellow paint, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River. Within, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's original era. The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family. Supernatural Speculation Past occupants have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers. Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises. Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man." A Critical Policy Issue His former home is under rent control, a policy where the city regulates on how much property owners can raise the rent each year. Tenants view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the housing expenses rises faster than what many can afford. Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.