New York's next mayor states plans to make his home in historic Gracie Mansion
The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point in his election bid.
A Historic Residence
Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors after the post-war period.
However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, was not quick to announce this decision right away after his triumph in November.
"My choice rested on keeping my family safe and the need to focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani in his announcement.
A Fond Farewell
His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and culinary diversity.
"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.
"While I may no longer live in Astoria, Astoria will continue to reside within me and the work I do," he said.
Political Debate
Throughout his campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.
Yet his critics, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the affordable housing even though he came from a prominent family.
Previous Exceptions
Some mayors have chosen to live 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.
In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for civic gatherings, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.
A Vastly Different Setting
Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in an environment a stark contrast to his humble Astoria apartment.
Featuring pale yellow exterior, 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 historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.
The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also has enhanced security to safeguard the mayor and his family.
Supernatural Speculation
A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.
Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.
Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter what anyone says," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."
Affordable Housing Lifeline
Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, meaning the city sets limits on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.
Tenants see such units as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses outpaces the average income.
Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.
Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.
