🔗 Share this article New York's next mayor confirms plans to reside in historic Gracie Mansion New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that sparked debate in his election bid. An Iconic Home Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era. But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core issue, did not confirm this decision right away following his triumph in November. "My choice was based on the security of my family and the need to focusing my complete efforts on implementing the platform on affordability voters voted for," stated Mamdani on Monday. Thanking a Neighborhood Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community known for its abundance of immigrant communities and global cuisine. "To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City," he expressed. "Although my address will change in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain inside me and my work," he added. Political Debate In his election campaign, Mamdani connected his key pledge – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation. But his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment even though he came from a prominent family. A House Not Always Used Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which concluded in 2012. Instead, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a venue for official events, and advocated for a major refurbishment 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 find himself in a setting very different than his humble Astoria apartment. Featuring pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River. Within, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's original era. The compound, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to secure the mayor and his family. Haunted History A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers. Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man." Affordable Housing Lifeline His former home is rent-stabilized, which means the city regulates on how much building managers can increase rent each year. Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the price of rent outpaces the means of many residents. It was reported Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment. Per figures from the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.