🔗 Share this article The Mayor-Elect affirms plans to live in historic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue during his election bid. A Historic Residence Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the mid-20th century. But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core platform, did not confirm this decision immediately after his electoral win in November. "The choice came down to our family's safety and the imperative to dedicating my complete efforts on implementing the platform on affordability voters voted for," Mamdani said on Monday. Thanking a Neighborhood Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, a community renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and international dining. "To Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," he expressed. "Even though I'm moving there, it will continue to reside a part of me and the work I do," he added. A Contentious Issue In his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his core platform – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation. But his critics, including ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the affordable housing although he is from a well-known family. Not All Mayors Stayed Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012. In his view, Bloomberg argued it should be a venue for public city functions, and advocated for significant upgrades of the older mansion. The exterior of Gracie Mansion in New York City. A Grand New Home Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his humble Astoria home. With its butter yellow paint, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River. Inside, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is decorated to reflect the home's original era. The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to safeguard the mayor and his family. Supernatural Speculation Some residents have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants. Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man." The Value of Rent Stabilization The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city sets limits on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year. New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the price of rent exceeds the means of many residents. Records showed 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.