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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that sparked debate during his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central issue, hesitated to declare he would live there promptly following his electoral win in November.

"The choice came down to our family's safety and the imperative to directing all of my focus on carrying out the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," Mamdani said in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district renowned for its vibrant immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, the community will continue to reside a part of me and the work I do," he said.

A Contentious Issue

In his campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

Yet his rivals, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a place for public city functions, and championed a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment far removed from his previous Astoria digs.

With its cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Haunted History

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "I don't care the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, meaning the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.

Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.