Godsent Ogbebor
New York City Mayor-Elect to Move into Gracie Mansion, Leaving Rent-Stabilised Apartment Behind
New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani has announced that he will be moving into Gracie Mansion, the historic residence of the city’s mayors, following his election victory. The move ends his time living in a rent-stabilised apartment in the Astoria neighbourhood of Queens, which had become a topic of debate during his campaign.
Gracie Mansion, built in 1799, has housed most of the city’s mayors since World War Two, though not all have chosen to live there. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, for instance, opted to stay in his Upper East Side townhouse instead, using Gracie Mansion for official events. Mamdani, whose platform centred around affordable housing, particularly pushing for a freeze on rent, had faced criticism from opponents, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, for occupying the rent-stabilised apartment given his prominent background—his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, and his father, Professor Mahmood Mamdani of Columbia University.
Despite the controversy, Mamdani cited his family’s safety and the importance of focusing on the affordability agenda as reasons for the decision. “This decision came down to our family’s safety and the importance of dedicating all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for,” he stated.
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Mamdani, who currently lives in Astoria, a vibrant and diverse area known for its immigrant communities, expressed his gratitude towards the neighbourhood, saying, “To Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City.” He added, “While I may no longer live in Astoria, Astoria will always live inside me and the work I do.”
When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion after his inauguration on January 1, he will find himself in a mansion that stands in stark contrast to his modest apartment. The residence, with its Federal-style architecture, boasts five bedrooms, a large garden overlooking the East River, and heightened security measures for the mayor and his family.
Despite the grand surroundings, some residents have claimed that the mansion is home to supernatural phenomena, with former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, reporting strange occurrences like doors opening by themselves. However, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was less sceptical, saying in 2022, “There are ghosts in there, man.”
As Mamdani prepares for his move, the decision has sparked ongoing discussions about the roles of political leaders and their living arrangements amidst rising housing costs in New York City.
