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NYC's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key policy, did not confirm he would live there immediately following his electoral win in November.

"My choice was based on our family's safety and the imperative to focusing my full attention on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying what is great about New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, the community will always live within me and my work," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

In his campaign, Mamdani linked his core platform – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements.

However his opponents, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit even though he hails from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his private home on the Upper East Side during his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a venue for official events, and advocated for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings far removed from his modest Astoria digs.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's original era.

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

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

His former home is under rent control, which means the city regulates on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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