Zohran Mamdani Has A New Address: Gracie Mansion, Built In 1799 And 'Haunted'

Last Updated:January 13, 2026, 16:16 IST

Over the decades, Gracie Mansion has undergone multiple restorations to preserve its historic character while adapting it for public use.

The mansion retains period details dating back to the 19th century, including original fireplaces and furnishings.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji are preparing to move from their Queens apartment into Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city’s mayor- a historic, $100-million home overlooking the East River that comes with more than two centuries of history and, according to City Hall lore, a ghost.

A 200-Year-Old Mayoral Home

Located at East 88th Street and East End Avenue in Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood, Gracie Mansion was built in 1799 by merchant Archibald Gracie. The 12,855-square-foot Federal-style house sits within Carl Schurz Park and has long been a fixture of New York’s political and social life. Originally a private residence, it became the official mayoral home in 1942, when then-mayor Fiorello La Guardia moved in during World War II. He famously called it New York’s “little White House." While most mayors have lived there, some- including Michael Bloomberg- used it primarily for official functions.

Inside Gracie Mansion

Over the decades, the mansion has undergone multiple restorations to preserve its historic character while adapting it for public use. A major expansion in the early 1980s added the Susan E. Wagner Wing, enabling the home to host large civic events and receptions. The interiors retain elements dating back to the 1800s, including original fireplaces and period furnishings. One of those fireplaces is tied to a long-standing legend that Alexander Hamilton was brought there after being mortally wounded in his duel with Aaron Burr.

Is Gracie Mansion Haunted?

The mansion’s long history has also produced a bit of City Hall folklore. Last month, outgoing mayor Eric Adams joked that Gracie Mansion is haunted, warning Zohran Mamdani about a resident ghost.

“It’s a friendly ghost, as long as you’re doing right by the city," Eric Adams said, adding, “If you don’t do right by the city, he turns into a poltergeist."

Zohran Mamdani described the mansion as “a home that belongs to the people," pledging to make it more accessible to New Yorkers by opening it up for public visits and civic events.

News world Zohran Mamdani Has A New Address: Gracie Mansion, Built In 1799 And 'Haunted'

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