Mayor Mamdani becomes an Upper East Sider as he leaves Astoria for Gracie Mansion

Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News on Jan 12, 2026

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NEW YORK — Monday was moving day for Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he his wife, Rama Duwaji, left their Astoria apartment for Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s traditional residence on the Upper East Side.

“Rama and I feel lucky to participate in a ritual that so many New Yorkers have experienced at various meaningful moments in their lives: Beginning a new chapter by moving to a different part of the city that we call home,” Mamdani said at a press conference to talk about his move.

Boxes filled with kitchen supplies, a vacuum and monstera path plants sat outside the mansion, and movers stood by near a truck as Mamdani spoke.

Mamdani said he intends to make the 11,000 square foot mansion more “accessible to the people” than under previous mayors, though he didn’t provide details on how he plans to do that.

The mayor has been living in a rent-stabilized Astoria one bedroom, and he’s putting his security deposit towards his January rent, the last month of the lease.

Mamdani said he plans to install a few bidets into the porcelain throne in the mansion: “That’s an aspirational hope,” he quipped.

The five-bedroom home has a big lawn with view overlooking the East River and wraparound porches on two levels.

Ex-Mayor Adams moved out of the mansion, which was built in 1799, last month and has largely been traveling since then.

Earlier Monday, at an unrelated appearance, Adams said he left Mamdani a “good” note.

“I’ll go looking for it,” Mamdani said.

Mamdani previously announced he’d be making the move.

“This decision came down to our family’s safety and the importance of dedicating all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for,” Mamdani said in a statement.