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New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point throughout his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors from the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key policy, did not confirm he would live there right away following his victory in November.

"The choice came down to keeping my family safe and the need to dedicating my full attention on enacting the platform on affordability New Yorkers elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area known for its diverse immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change there, Astoria will always live a part of me and the work I do," he added.

Political Debate

During his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his core platform – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

Yet his critics, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he hails from a well-known family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a space for public city functions, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in an environment very different than his modest Astoria home.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Within, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated consistent with the home's original era.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

Some residents have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is rent-stabilized, which means the city regulates on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.

It was reported Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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