The Mayor-Elect states he will reside in historic Gracie Mansion

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point during his campaign.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for the majority of New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key platform, was not quick to announce he would live there immediately after his victory in November.

"This decision came down to the security of my family and the need to directing my full attention on implementing the platform on affordability New Yorkers elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

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

"To Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, the community will forever remain inside me and my work," he added.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani linked his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.

However his rivals, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the affordable housing 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 business magnate, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg argued it should be a space for civic gatherings, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his modest Astoria home.

With its pale yellow exterior, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's original era.

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

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "I don't care what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is rent stabilised, meaning the city regulates on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

Tenants view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the price of rent exceeds what many can afford.

It was reported Mamdani paid about $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.