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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that was a central issue during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

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

"This decision rested on our family's safety and the imperative to dedicating my complete efforts on enacting the affordability agenda voters elected me on," Mamdani said in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district known for its abundance of cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

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

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his central policy – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.

But his opponents, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit even though he came from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his private home on the Upper East Side for his time in office, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a place for official events, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience a setting far removed from his humble Astoria digs.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Within, the first floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Ghostly Tales

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent-stabilized, which means the city sets limits on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

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

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

Per figures from the property website Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.