New York's next mayor affirms his intention to make his home in the storied Gracie Mansion
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.
A Historic Residence
Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.
However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central platform, was not quick to announce he would live there right away following his triumph in November.
"The choice was based on keeping my family safe and the imperative to directing my complete efforts on carrying out the affordability agenda voters elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.
A Fond Farewell
Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and international dining.
"To Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating what is great about New York City," he expressed.
"While I may no longer live there, the community will always live inside me and the work I do," he affirmed.
A Contentious Issue
Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his core platform – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.
However his rivals, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit although he is from a well-known family.
Previous Exceptions
Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.
Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012.
Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a venue for public city functions, and championed significant upgrades of the historic 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 far removed from his humble Astoria home.
Featuring pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.
Inside, the first floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.
The estate, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.
Haunted History
A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.
Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.
The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."
Affordable Housing Lifeline
The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, meaning the city sets limits on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.
City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the price of rent exceeds what many can afford.
It was reported Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.
According to the property website Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.
