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NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that sparked debate in his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors from the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core policy, was not quick to announce he would live there promptly following his electoral win in November.

"This decision was based on the security of my family and the importance of focusing my full attention on carrying out the platform on affordability the city's residents supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area famous for its abundance of immigrant communities and international dining.

"To Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, it will forever remain inside me and my work," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

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

But his opponents, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing even though he is from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side during his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a space for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting a stark contrast to his humble Astoria apartment.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Haunted History

A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, a policy where the city regulates on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

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

Records showed Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Per figures from real estate analysts Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.