Zohran Mamdani states his intention to reside in the storied Gracie Mansion

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that became a focal point throughout his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central issue, did not confirm he would live there immediately after his electoral win in November.

"My choice came down to the security of my family and the imperative to directing all of my focus on carrying out the platform on affordability New Yorkers elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district renowned for its diverse cultural enclaves and international dining.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change there, Astoria will forever remain inside me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

A Contentious Issue

In his campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

But his rivals, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the apartment even though he came from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side for his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a venue for official events, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will experience an environment very different than his modest Astoria digs.

Featuring cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.

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

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

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the housing expenses rises faster than the means of many residents.

Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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