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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point in his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

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

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core issue, hesitated to declare his residency plans right away after his electoral win in November.

"The choice was based on our family's safety and the need to focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the platform on affordability voters elected me on," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district famous for its abundance of immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

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

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will always live inside me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

Campaign Controversy

In his election campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

However his rivals, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a well-known family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his private home on the Upper East Side for his time in office, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a space for official events, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings very different than his previous Astoria digs.

With its butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home situated by the East River.

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

The estate, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also has fortified protections to protect 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, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, which means the city imposes caps on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing rises faster than the average income.

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

Per figures from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.