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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that became a focal point during his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans promptly following his victory in November.

"My choice came down to keeping my family safe and the need to dedicating my full attention on implementing the agenda for affordability the city's residents elected me on," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, a district famous for its diverse immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for exemplifying what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"While I may no longer live in Astoria, the community will forever remain inside me and my work," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his key pledge – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

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

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a venue for civic gatherings, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting far removed from his previous Astoria digs.

Featuring cream-colored walls, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

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

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

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

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