New York City’s next mayor is trading in his rent-stabilized Astoria apartment for a historic mansion on the East River, officially ending weeks of speculation about where Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will live once he takes office.
In a statement and social media post on Monday, Mamdani confirmed that he and his wife, Rama Duwaji, will move into Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence in Manhattan’s Carl Schurz Park, when he is sworn in on January 1, 2026.
Why the Move Matters
Gracie Mansion, a Federal-style house built in 1799, has long served as the symbolic home of New York City’s mayor. But in recent years, several mayors have chosen to stay in their private homes instead, including Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams.
Mamdani’s decision to move in is being seen as a
deliberate break from recent precedent and a signal that he intends to embrace the ceremonial and security aspects of the office.
“Living in Gracie Mansion is best for my family’s safety,” Mamdani said in his Instagram post, citing security concerns as a key factor in the decision.
Leaving Behind a Beloved Astoria Apartment
For years, Mamdani has lived in a modest,
one-bedroom rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria, Queens, paying about
$2,300 per month. That detail became a flashpoint during his campaign against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who argued that Mamdani was benefiting from tenant protections meant for lower-income New Yorkers.
Mamdani dismissed those criticisms, and now he’s leaving that apartment behind for a much larger space: Gracie Mansion has
five bedrooms, a ballroom, and multiple event and reception rooms.
In his post, he got emotional about the move:
> “We will miss much about our home in Astoria. Cooking dinner side by side in our kitchen, sharing a sleepy elevator ride with our neighbors in the evening, hearing music and laughter vibrate through the walls of the apartment.”
He praised his Astoria neighborhood as a place that “showed us the best of New York City” during the pandemic, immigration crackdowns, and the city’s ongoing affordability crisis.
A Nostalgic Goodbye to Astoria
Mamdani’s tribute to Astoria was full of sensory details: the smell of
seafood and shawarma drifting down the block, the sound of
Adeni chai being poured, and the buzz of
Spanish, Arabic, and dozens of other languages in the hallways and on the sidewalks.
> “We have called this neighborhood home as our city weathered a devastating pandemic, cruel attacks on immigrants, and years of an affordability crisis,” he wrote. “Time and again, this community has shown up for one another.”
That message resonated with many New Yorkers who see Mamdani as a progressive, working-class mayor who’s lived through the same struggles as ordinary residents.
What This Means for the Mayor’s Office
By moving into Gracie Mansion, Mamdani is also embracing the
institutional role of mayor more fully. The mansion is staffed, secured, and designed to host official events, diplomatic visits, and community gatherings.
It also means the city will cover the cost of his housing and security as part of the mayoral package, rather than him relying on private security or staying in a personal residence.
Some political observers see this as a
pragmatic move—especially given the intense scrutiny and threats that come with high-profile office in a city like New York.
Gracie Mansion: A Historic Backdrop
Gracie Mansion has housed mayors since Fiorello La Guardia in the 1940s. It’s not just a home; it’s a
symbol of the office itself.
Past mayors like David Dinkins and Rudy Giuliani lived there full-time, while others, like Michael Bloomberg, maintained their own homes and used the mansion mainly for events.
Mamdani’s decision to live there full-time could signal a desire to
reconnect the mayor’s office with the public, using the mansion as a more accessible, community-oriented space.
What’s Next?
Mamdani’s move into Gracie Mansion is expected in early January, ahead of his inauguration. The city will handle the logistics of the transition, including security upgrades and any necessary renovations.
For now, Mamdani is framing the move not as a step up in luxury, but as a
necessary step to protect his family and serve the city safely.
And for the neighbors in Astoria? They’re losing a familiar face in the elevator—but gaining a mayor who still carries their stories with him.
Sources
1. NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani to move into Gracie Mansion, official ...
2. NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani to move into Gracie Mansion, official ...
3. NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani to move into Gracie Mansion, official ...
4. Mamdani says he'll move into Gracie Mansion when he ... - YouTube
5. NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani says he'll live in Gracie Mansion, ending residency speculation
6. Movin' on up: Mayor-elect Mamdani to live in Gracie Mansion, leave his Astoria apartment
