The Mayor-Elect affirms plans to make his home in historic Gracie Mansion

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point throughout his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans promptly after his electoral win in November.

"My choice was based on keeping my family safe and the importance of dedicating my complete efforts on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers supported," Mamdani said on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in Astoria, Queens, an area famous for its abundance of cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for showing us the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

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

A Contentious Issue

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

Yet his opponents, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he hails from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a venue for official events, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience a setting far removed from his previous Astoria digs.

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

Within, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also has increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, meaning the city regulates on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

Tenants consider these apartments essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than what many can afford.

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.