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New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his campaign.

A Historic Residence

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, hesitated to declare this decision promptly following his electoral win in November.

"My choice was based on the security of my family and the imperative to dedicating my full attention on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers supported," Mamdani said in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, an area known for its abundance of immigrant populations and international dining.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for showing us the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, it will forever remain inside me and the work I do," he added.

A Contentious Issue

In his campaign, Mamdani linked his central policy – halting rent increases – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the affordable housing although he came from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it should be a space for official events, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his humble Astoria digs.

With its cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

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

The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, meaning the city imposes caps on how much landlords can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the housing expenses rises faster than the means of many residents.

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

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