From One-Bedroom Rental to Gracie Mansion? New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Weighs His Move.
New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, currently live in a modest one-bedroom rental apartment in Astoria, Queens. But following his election victory, Mamdani could soon trade the small, leaky kitchen sink of his current home for the chandeliers and river views of Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city’s mayor.
Speaking on The New Yorker Radio Hour, the 34-year-old politician laughed about the realities of apartment living in New York. “My wife and I have just talked about the fact that a one-bedroom is a little too small for us now,” he said, recalling a recent morning spent mopping up water after their sink leaked.
If Mamdani decides to move into Gracie Mansion, he would be stepping into a 226-year-old landmark on the Upper East Side — an 11,000-square-foot Georgian-style residence complete with ballrooms, chandeliers, faux mahogany doors, and expansive lawns lined with apple and fig trees. The mansion also features a vegetable garden, a Parisian-themed dining room, and a full-time chef.
Still Deciding Where to Live
Despite the perks, Mamdani said he hasn’t made a decision yet.
“I don’t yet have an answer on where I’m going to be living,” he said in the interview. “But I can tell you where I’m going to be working — and that’s City Hall.”
His current 800-square-foot apartment, built in 1929, includes heat and hot water as required by city law. It has no in-unit washer or dryer, but the building provides a communal laundry room and even an elevator — a rarity in that part of Queens.
A Tale of Two Neighborhoods
Astoria, where Mamdani currently lives, is a vibrant and relatively affordable neighborhood popular with young professionals and families. In contrast, the Upper East Side — home to Gracie Mansion — is one of New York’s most exclusive areas, known for its museums, manicured parks, and high-end restaurants.
Gracie Mansion also comes with security and privacy few New Yorkers enjoy — a high perimeter fence, surveillance cameras, and police officers on constant watch.
Whether Mamdani chooses to stay in his modest Astoria apartment or relocate to the storied halls of Gracie Mansion, his decision will mark a symbolic transition — from everyday city living to the center of New York’s political and historical life.
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