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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue during his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the primary dwelling for nearly all New York City mayors since the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans right away after his triumph in November.

"This decision was based on keeping my family safe and the imperative to directing all of my focus on implementing the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," Mamdani said in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area famous for its vibrant immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for exemplifying what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, Astoria will forever remain inside me and the work I do," he added.

Political Debate

During his election campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

However his opponents, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the affordable housing although he is from a well-known family.

A House Not Always Used

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a venue for official events, and championed an extensive renovation of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in an environment a stark contrast to his previous Astoria apartment.

Featuring pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River.

Within, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

The compound, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, which means the city imposes caps on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

Tenants view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing rises faster than the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

According to the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.