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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that sparked debate during his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

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

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core platform, did not confirm this decision promptly after his electoral win in November.

"The choice came down to our family's safety and the imperative to dedicating my full attention on carrying out the affordability agenda voters supported," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district famous for its diverse cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for exemplifying what is great about New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, Astoria will always live a part of me and my work," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

During his election campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements.

But his opponents, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing even though he hails from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his private home on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a venue for public city functions, and championed a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting a stark contrast to his humble Astoria digs.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished consistent with the home's historical period.

The estate, which is said to has five bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

City residents see such units as crucial resources as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford.

It was reported Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.