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The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that sparked debate in his campaign.

A Historic Residence

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central issue, did not confirm his residency plans immediately following his electoral win in November.

"My choice came down to the security of my family and the need to focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the affordability agenda voters voted for," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its diverse immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, the community will always live inside me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

A Contentious Issue

During his election campaign, Mamdani linked his key pledge – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his opponents, mainly one-time 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 opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his time in office, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it should be a venue for civic gatherings, and championed an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience surroundings very different than his previous Astoria apartment.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished to reflect the home's original era.

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

Haunted History

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent stabilised, a policy where the city regulates on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

City residents see such units as essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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