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New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue throughout his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors from the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key policy, hesitated to declare he would live there promptly after his victory in November.

"This decision came down to our family's safety and the importance of directing all of my focus on implementing the agenda for affordability the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, a district renowned for its diverse cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating what is great about New York City," he noted.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, Astoria will forever remain within me and the work I do," he added.

Political Debate

During his campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his critics, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit even though he came from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a space for civic gatherings, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings far removed from his previous Astoria digs.

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

Inside, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's original era.

The estate, which is said to has five bedrooms, also has enhanced security to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care what people claim," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, which means the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents consider these apartments crucial resources as the cost of housing exceeds the average income.

It was reported Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

According to real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.