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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate in his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for most New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans promptly after his electoral win in November.

"The choice rested on the security of my family and the need to directing my full attention on implementing the affordability agenda New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

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

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"While I may no longer live in Astoria, it will always live within me and my work," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

In his campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

Yet his opponents, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit even though he is from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a venue for official events, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience a setting far removed from his modest Astoria digs.

With its pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home situated by the East River.

Within, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The property, which is said to 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 ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

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

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is under rent control, meaning the city sets limits on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

Tenants see such units as essential protections as the cost of housing exceeds the average income.

Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.