🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect confirms he will reside in the iconic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that was a central issue during his run for office. An Iconic Home Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors since the World War II era. However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core platform, was not quick to announce his residency plans right away after his victory in November. "My choice came down to keeping my family safe and the need to focusing my full attention on implementing the agenda for affordability New Yorkers supported," Mamdani said on Monday. Leaving Astoria His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and international dining. "To Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said. "Although my address will change in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he added. Campaign Controversy Throughout his campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation. Yet his critics, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing even though he is from a well-known family. Not All Mayors Stayed Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his three terms, which wrapped up in 2012. Rather, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a venue for public city functions, and championed significant upgrades of the aging mansion. The exterior of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Vastly Different Setting When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience a setting a stark contrast to his previous Astoria digs. With its butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River. Within, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished consistent with the home's historical period. The compound, which is said to has several bedrooms, also has increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family. Ghostly Tales Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers. Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises. The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man." Affordable Housing Lifeline The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city sets limits on how much building managers can raise the rent each year. New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the price of rent outpaces the average income. Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment. Based on data from the property website Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.