Mamdani Says Current NYC One-Bedroom ‘Too Small’; Will He Move To 11,000 Sq Ft Mayor’s Mansion?

Zohran Mamdani, New York’s mayor-elect, who said he often spent mornings fixing plumbing issues in his one-bedroom rental apartment, remains undecided on whether he will move to Gracie Mansion, the city’s

11,000-square-foot official mayoral residence.

“My wife and I have just talked about the fact that a one-bedroom is a little too small for us now,” said Mamdani, who defeated Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race. He added that their apartment’s sink leaked and lacked both a washer and a dryer.

The Democratic Socialist leader recalled spending an entire morning laying towels across the floor to soak up leaking water in the flat he shares with his wife, Rama Duwaji.

The New York City mayor-elect has the option of moving into Gracie Mansion, a 226-year-old official residence on the Upper East Side. The estate offers a sprawling 11,000-square-foot home with gleaming mirrors, chandeliers, faux mahogany doors, a sweeping lawn lined with apple and fig trees, a vegetable garden, and likely no plumbing issues to fix.

Originally built in 1799 by merchant Archibald Gracie, the mansion has served as the mayor’s residence since 1942, when Fiorello LaGuardia moved in during World War II. It has since become both a family home and an official venue for civic events, hosting dignitaries and community leaders over the decades.

But 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani remains undecided on whether he will relocate to the mansion. “I don’t yet have an answer on where I’m going to be living, but I can tell you where I’m going to be working, and that’s City Hall,” he told The New Yorker Radio Hour.

Mamdani currently lives with his wife, Rama Duwaji, in an 800-square-foot rental apartment in Astoria, Queens. The unit includes heat and hot water in the rent, with a shared laundry room in the building. Notably, the 1929 building features a working elevator — a rarity in Astoria’s prewar walk-ups, most of which were built without lifts and remain that way due to zoning and preservation rules.

Astoria is known for its affordability and diversity, drawing young professionals and immigrant families with its lively mix of cafes, parks, and old-style apartment blocks.

In contrast, the Upper East Side, where Gracie Mansion stands, is among Manhattan’s most prestigious addresses — home to world-renowned museums, art galleries, and upscale dining rooms overlooking the East River.

On the security front, Gracie Mansion is surrounded by high fences, monitored by surveillance cameras, and guarded round the clock by police officers.

Perched on the banks of the East River, Gracie Mansion offers views of Roosevelt Island and the Triborough Bridge from its veranda. Inside, its rooms include a grand dining hall with Parisian garden murals, an elegant reception space, and a full-time kitchen staff led by the official Gracie chef.