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The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that was a central issue during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors since the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, was not quick to announce he would live there promptly following his electoral win in November.

"The choice rested on our family's safety and the imperative to directing my complete efforts on implementing the agenda for affordability the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in Astoria, Queens, an area renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine.

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

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

A Contentious Issue

During his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his central policy – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

But his critics, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he came from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a venue for official events, 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 find himself in surroundings far removed from his previous Astoria apartment.

Featuring butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also has enhanced security to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent stabilised, which means the city regulates on how much landlords can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the price of rent rises faster than what many can afford.

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

Based on data from the property website Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.