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New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that became a focal point during his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core platform, did not confirm his residency plans immediately after his triumph in November.

"This decision came down to the security of my family and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on implementing the affordability agenda the city's residents supported," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in Astoria, Queens, an area known for its diverse cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, the community will always live within me and the work I do," he added.

A Contentious Issue

During his election campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements.

But his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he is from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for public city functions, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience surroundings a stark contrast to his previous Astoria home.

With its butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's historical period.

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

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters 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 declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is rent-stabilized, which means the city sets limits on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

City residents see such units as essential protections as the cost of housing exceeds the means of many residents.

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

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