Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his spouse Rama Duwaji on the porch of Gracie Mansion on Jan. 12, 2026.
Picture by Lloyd Mitchell
Transferring containers littered the grounds of Gracie Mansion on Monday as Mayor Zohran Mamdani formally moved into his new residence on the Higher East Aspect.
“Today is moving day,” Mamdani advised reporters throughout a Jan. 12 press convention on the mansion. “Tonight will be the first night that I sleep in Gracie. … We are so grateful to all of those who have already welcomed us to the Upper East Side, and I’m delighted to be back in the borough where I grew up, within walking distance of many of the museums that I went to as a teenager in this city,” he mentioned.
However the brand new mayor was fast to emphasise that the 18th-century mansion will not be meant to really feel like a personal property. As a substitute, Mamdani repeatedly framed Gracie as “the people’s house,” invoking its lengthy and generally surprising historical past — from ice cream stands and public restrooms to English language courses, stitching workshops, and cupboard space for the Parks Division.
“Gracie has lived many lives,” he mentioned. “And that legacy is not one that should be relegated to the past.”
Mayor Mamdani addresses the press at Gracie Mansion on Jan. 12, 2026, after he and his spouse, Rama Duwaji, formally moved in.Picture by Lloyd Mitchell
Mamdani mentioned he desires the mansion to stay accessible and welcoming to New Yorkers who don’t usually get invited inside, promising to open the house up past ceremonial occasions and formal receptions. When requested whether or not traditions comparable to cultural heritage nights would proceed, Mamdani mentioned no choices have been made but about which occasions or ceremonies might be held at Gracie.
He did, nevertheless, commit broadly to creating the mansion a spot the place New Yorkers “can see themselves,” not simply on tv.
Zohran and Rama make themselves at residence
“I’m home!” Mayor Mamdani greets his spouse, Rama Duwaji, on the entrance door of Gracie Mansion.Picture by Lloyd Mitchell
He joked that there was “no security deposit” being put down, however pressured that he and his spouse, Rama Duwaji, see themselves as momentary custodians, not everlasting homeowners.
That custodianship will include some adjustments — although not all of them are finalized but.
Requested what he plans to change contained in the mansion, Mamdani mentioned choices have been nonetheless forthcoming, however he did affirm a couple of home priorities. Amongst them: putting in bidets, that are plumbing fixtures connected to bogs to assist folks clear themselves after utilizing the toilet.
The mayor additionally revisited his long-discussed want to get a cat, noting that on account of his feline allergy symptoms, he’s presently present process allergy pictures to make that attainable.
Regardless of the change in tackle, Mamdani insisted that his day-to-day habits — and his relationship to town — would stay the identical. He mentioned he plans to proceed taking the subway, using buses, utilizing Citi Bike, and spending time “in the streets” with New Yorkers, fairly than retreating behind the gates of the mansion.
“I may be changing where I rest my head at the end of every evening,” he mentioned, “but I will not be changing anything about how I interact with the incredible New Yorkers who call this city home.”
As for the ghosts which might be rumored to hang-out Gracie Mansion? Mamdani mentioned he hasn’t met them but. He mentioned he had additionally not discovered the observe that former Mayor Eric Adams supposedly left him, when requested by a reporter.
Requested whether or not he plans to maintain the present Gracie Mansion workers — together with cooks and different employees — Mamdani didn’t point out any plans to interchange workers. Whereas praising them, he particularly credited Parks Division workers for working over the previous 12 days to arrange the home and mentioned he has “nothing but respect and admiration” for his or her work.
As for the couple’s house in Astoria, Mamdani mentioned their lease is up on the finish of the month and that his safety deposit will cowl his closing fee. For now, the brand new mayor is settling in, one bidet set up, and probably one future cat at a time.
