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New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that became a focal point in his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central platform, was not quick to announce he would live there immediately after his triumph in November.

"My choice rested on our family's safety and the need to dedicating all of my focus on enacting the platform on affordability voters voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district known for its diverse cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

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

"While I may no longer live there, it will continue to reside inside me and my work," he added.

Campaign Controversy

During his campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his opponents, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment despite the fact that he is from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which concluded in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a space for public city functions, and championed significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience an environment far removed from his previous Astoria digs.

Featuring pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home situated by the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated consistent with the home's historical period.

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

Supernatural Speculation

Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife 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. "I don't care what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, meaning the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as essential protections as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.

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

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