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NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that sparked debate during his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for the majority of New York City mayors after the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core policy, did not confirm his residency plans promptly after his victory in November.

"The choice was based on keeping my family safe and the importance of focusing my full attention on carrying out the affordability agenda the city's residents voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district famous for its abundance of cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, the community will continue to reside inside me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

Political Debate

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

But his rivals, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the apartment although he is from a well-known family.

A House Not Always Used

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a place for public city functions, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience an environment a stark contrast to his previous Astoria home.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home situated by the East River.

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

The compound, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also has enhanced security to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, a policy where the city sets limits on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing rises faster than what many can afford.

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

According to the property website Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.