Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor-elect, to relocate to Gracie Mansion for ‘family’s safety’

“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 said in a statement quoted by the BBC.

He thanked the neighbourhood of Astoria, where he has been living. “To Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City… While I may no longer live in Astoria, Astoria will always live inside me and the work I do,” he said.

Housing policy was central to Mamdani’s campaign, including his proposal to freeze rents. His critics, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, questioned his use of a rent-stabilised flat given his well-known family background. Mamdani is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani.

However, Mamdani is expected to move into Gracie Mansion around his January 1 inauguration. The mansion, built in 1799, sits above the East River and has been home to many mayors, although not all have lived there. Former mayor Michael Bloomberg chose his own townhouse and used the mansion mainly for official events.

The house is known for its period interiors and its reported five bedrooms, along with enhanced security for the mayor’s family. Some former residents have even spoken about unusual noises. In 2022, outgoing mayor Eric Adams said: “There are ghosts in there, man,” according to the BBC.

Records show Mamdani paid about $2,300 a month for his Astoria flat, far below the average $3,500 monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, the BBC said.