The Mayor-Elect affirms his intention to make his home in historic Gracie Mansion

NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue throughout his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors after the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, did not confirm his residency plans right away following his triumph in November.

"My choice came down to the security of my family and the importance of directing my full attention on carrying out the affordability agenda New Yorkers supported," Mamdani said in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in Astoria, Queens, a district renowned for its abundance of immigrant populations and international dining.

"To Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating what is great about New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain within me and my work," he added.

A Contentious Issue

During his election campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.

However his opponents, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing although he is from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a place for public city functions, and advocated for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his humble Astoria digs.

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

Inside, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed to reflect the home's original era.

The compound, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also has fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, which means the city sets limits on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

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

It was reported 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.