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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that became a focal point during his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors after the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key issue, hesitated to declare this decision immediately following his electoral win in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the need to dedicating my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," Mamdani said in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district known for its diverse cultural enclaves and international dining.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain within me and the work I do," he added.

Political Debate

During his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his critics, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit even though he hails from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it should be a space for civic gatherings, and championed an extensive renovation of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment very different than his modest Astoria apartment.

Featuring butter yellow paint, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

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

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

Supernatural Speculation

Past occupants have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, a policy where the city regulates on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

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

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

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