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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue during his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, was not quick to announce this decision promptly following his triumph in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the need to directing all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda the city's residents voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area known for its vibrant immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, Astoria will always live a part of me and my work," he added.

Political Debate

During his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his core platform – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his critics, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the affordable housing despite the fact that he came from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a space for official events, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment very different than his modest Astoria digs.

Featuring cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Within, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the price of rent rises faster than what many can afford.

It was reported Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Per figures from the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.