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

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors after the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core platform, did not confirm his residency plans promptly following his victory in November.

"My choice was based on keeping my family safe and the imperative to dedicating my full attention on implementing the platform on affordability voters voted for," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the best of New York City," he expressed.

"Even though I'm moving there, it will always live inside me and the work I do," he said.

Political Debate

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his opponents, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for official events, and advocated for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in an environment very different than his modest Astoria apartment.

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

Within, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed consistent with the home's original era.

The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also has enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted 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 landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents consider these apartments essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

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

Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.