How Mamdani Transformed His Life — From a One-Bedroom Rental to a Mansion With a Ballroom

From One-Bedroom Apartment to Gracie Mansion? New York Mayor-Elect Mamdani Yet to Decide.

New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, are currently living in a one-bedroom rental apartment in Astoria, Queens. But after his election win, Mamdani could soon swap his compact home — complete with a leaky sink — for the historic Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city’s mayor.

Speaking on The New Yorker Radio Hour, Mamdani said, “My wife and I have just talked about the fact that a one-bedroom is a little too small for us now.” He added that one morning he had to blanket the kitchen floor with towels to deal with a leak.

If he moves into Gracie Mansion, Mamdani will gain far more space — and luxury. The 226-year-old Georgian-style residence on the Upper East Side spans 11,000 square feet, featuring gleaming mirrors, chandeliers, faux mahogany doors, a grand dining room, and lawns lined with apple and fig trees. It also includes a vegetable garden and a Parisian-themed entertaining room where mayors host guests.

Undecided on the Move
Mamdani, 34, said he hasn’t yet decided whether to relocate.

“I don’t yet have an answer on where I’m going to be living,” he told The New Yorker Radio Hour. “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, offers heating and hot water as mandated by city law. It lacks an in-unit washer and dryer, but the building has a shared laundry room and an elevator — a relative rarity in Astoria.

From Astoria to the Upper East Side
Astoria is known for its mix of young residents and families, as well as its affordability and neighborhood charm. By contrast, the Upper East Side, home to Gracie Mansion, is one of the city’s wealthiest areas, famous for its museums, historic architecture, and upscale eateries.

The mansion also comes with round-the-clock security, including a high fence, surveillance cameras, and police guards. For now, Mamdani remains undecided — but whether he stays in his modest Astoria apartment or moves into Gracie Mansion, the transition would mark a striking shift from everyday New York life to the city’s political center.