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NYC's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that sparked debate in his campaign.

An Iconic Home

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

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core platform, hesitated to declare his residency plans promptly after his triumph in November.

"My choice was based on our family's safety and the imperative to directing all of my focus on enacting the platform on affordability the city's residents supported," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district known for its abundance of immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for showing us the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"Even though I'm moving there, it will always live inside me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

A Contentious Issue

In his election campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

But his opponents, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit although he hails from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a venue for public city functions, and advocated for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience a setting a stark contrast to his modest Astoria digs.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Within, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed consistent with the home's historical period.

The property, which is said to has several bedrooms, also boasts enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, meaning the city regulates on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

Tenants see such units as valuable lifelines as the price of rent rises faster than what many can afford.

Records showed Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

According to the property website Zillow, the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.