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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that was a central issue during his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central platform, hesitated to declare this decision promptly after his triumph in November.

"The choice came down to the security of my family and the imperative to focusing my full attention on carrying out the agenda for affordability New Yorkers voted for," Mamdani said on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community renowned for its diverse cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the best of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, it will continue to reside within me and the work I do," he affirmed.

Political Debate

In his campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his rivals, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for official events, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience surroundings very different than his previous Astoria home.

With its butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.

Internally, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated to reflect the home's historical period.

The property, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

Tenants view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the cost of housing rises faster than the average income.

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

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