The Mayor-Elect affirms he will make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion

The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point in his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for most New York City mayors after the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key policy, was not quick to announce this decision right away after his triumph in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the imperative to focusing my complete efforts on implementing the agenda for affordability the city's residents supported," Mamdani said on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community known for its vibrant immigrant communities and international dining.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the best of New York City," he noted.

"Even though I'm moving there, Astoria will forever remain a part of me and the work I do," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

In his election campaign, Mamdani connected his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

Yet his opponents, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the affordable housing although he is from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for public city functions, and championed significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting very different than his humble Astoria apartment.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

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

The compound, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also has fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is rent stabilised, meaning the city sets limits on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments essential protections as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.

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

Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.