Zohran Mamdani states plans to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate in his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core platform, did not confirm this decision right away after his triumph in November.

"My choice came down to the security of my family and the need to dedicating my complete efforts on implementing the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in Astoria, Queens, a district renowned for its diverse immigrant populations and global cuisine.

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

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, the community will forever remain within me and the work I do," he said.

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his opponents, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the apartment even though he is from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a venue for official events, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will experience surroundings a stark contrast to his previous Astoria digs.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, meaning the city imposes caps on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

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

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

Based on data from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.