Why NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Is Moving Into the $100 Million Gracie Mansion
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced that he and his wife, Rama Duwaji, will relocate to Gracie Mansion after he takes office on January 1, 2026. In an Instagram post, Mamdani said the move is driven by family safety concerns and his need to fully focus on “the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for.”
Mamdani expressed deep affection for Astoria, where the couple currently lives in a rent-stabilised apartment. “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 wrote.
He thanked the neighbourhood for “showing us the best of New York City,” recalling its multilingual, multicultural character and the warmth of community life. He added that moving is essential for “our family’s safety and the importance of dedicating all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for,” reaffirming that his priority is serving everyday New Yorkers, from line cooks and bus riders to families across the city.
Why Mamdani’s move matters
Gracie Mansion, one of New York’s oldest surviving wooden structures, has served as the official mayoral residence since 1942. Mamdani shared that he recently saw a miniature model of the mansion at the New York Botanical Garden, writing, “Went to the NY Botanical Garden’s train show last week, and saw our new home!”
His opponent, Andrew Cuomo, criticised him for previously living in a regulated apartment on a legislative salary, a stance noted by The New York Times as ironic, given Cuomo once lived in a similar unit.
A look at Gracie Mansion’s history
Built in 1799 by merchant Archibald Gracie, the mansion began as a riverside country home overlooking the East River. After Gracie suffered financial losses during the War of 1812, the property changed owners several times and served unusual functions, including a park concession stand and even restrooms, before the city acquired it in 1896.
In the early 20th century, the mansion became the first location of the Museum of the City of New York. Its transformation into the official mayoral residence was championed by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, and in 1942, Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia moved in, partly due to wartime security concerns.
Inside the mansion
Located on East End Avenue beside Carl Schurz Park, Gracie Mansion spans over 10,000 square feet and features preserved historical rooms alongside modern additions. Tours are offered on Mondays for $10.
Among the standout rooms is its monochrome teal library, which features figurines of George Washington and retains markings left by mayoral families, including Rudy Giuliani’s daughter, who carved her name “Caroline” into a window. The mantel also displays Raise Up, a 2014 sculpture by Hank Willis Thomas that reflects America’s history of racial injustice.
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