The Mayor-Elect confirms plans to make his home in historic Gracie Mansion

New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind his rent-controlled apartment that sparked debate during his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, did not confirm he would live there promptly following his victory in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the importance of directing my complete efforts on carrying out the affordability agenda the city's residents voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its abundance of cultural enclaves and international dining.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, the community will continue to reside inside me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

During his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

Yet his opponents, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the affordable housing although he hails from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a venue for civic gatherings, and championed significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience an environment far removed from his modest Astoria apartment.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed to reflect the home's historical period.

The estate, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also boasts enhanced security to protect the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, which means the city sets limits on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.

City residents consider these apartments essential protections as the cost of housing exceeds the average income.

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

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