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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key platform, hesitated to declare he would live there immediately following his electoral win in November.

"My choice rested on our family's safety and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district renowned for its diverse cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the best of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, it will forever remain inside me and the work I do," he added.

Campaign Controversy

During his election campaign, Mamdani connected his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

However his opponents, including ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the affordable housing even though he hails from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a place for civic gatherings, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience surroundings very different than his modest Astoria home.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.

Within, the first floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished to reflect the home's original era.

The compound, which is said to has several bedrooms, also has fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

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

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, meaning the city imposes caps on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses outpaces what many can afford.

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

According to the property website Zillow, the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.