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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point in his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for nearly all New York City mayors after the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central platform, hesitated to declare his residency plans right away following his victory in November.

"This decision rested on the security of my family and the imperative to focusing all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district renowned for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the best of New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, the community will forever remain a part of me and my work," he said.

A Contentious Issue

During his campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his opponents, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he came from a prominent family.

A House Not Always Used

Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a venue for civic gatherings, and championed significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings a stark contrast to his previous Astoria apartment.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.

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

Ghostly Tales

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, meaning the city sets limits on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

City residents see such units as crucial resources as the price of rent rises faster than the means of many residents.

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

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