🔗 Share this article New York's next mayor states plans to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his election bid. A Traditional Abode Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors after the World War II era. Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core policy, hesitated to declare he would live there right away after his victory in November. "My choice came down to the security of my family and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability New Yorkers supported," Mamdani said in a statement. Thanking a Neighborhood He resided in Astoria, Queens, an area known for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine. "To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying what is great about New York City," he expressed. "While I may no longer live in Astoria, Astoria will always live within me and the work I do," he added. Political Debate Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani linked his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation. Yet his opponents, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the affordable housing despite the fact that he is from a famous family. A House Not Always Used Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his time in office, which ended in 2012. Rather, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for public city functions, and pushed for significant upgrades of the older mansion. The outside of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Vastly Different Setting As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will experience an environment a stark contrast to his humble Astoria home. Featuring cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River. Inside, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's original era. The estate, which is said to has several bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family. Ghostly Tales Some residents have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers. Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises. The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man." The Value of Rent Stabilization His former home is rent stabilised, a policy where the city sets limits on how much building managers can raise the rent each year. Tenants consider these apartments crucial resources as the price of rent rises faster than the means of many residents. Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment. Per figures from real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.