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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue throughout his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for most New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans immediately following his triumph in November.

"The choice came down to our family's safety and the imperative to focusing my full attention on carrying out the agenda for affordability voters supported," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in Astoria, Queens, a district known for its vibrant cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: many thanks for showing us the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"While I may no longer live there, it will always live within me and my work," he said.

Campaign Controversy

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

But his rivals, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit although he is from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side for his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a space for public city functions, and advocated for significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience an environment very different than his humble Astoria digs.

Featuring butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the first floor of the classically designed mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The property, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care what people claim," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is under rent control, meaning the city regulates on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

City residents see such units as crucial resources as the price of rent rises faster than what many can afford.

Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $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.