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

A Historic Residence

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for most New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key platform, did not confirm this decision promptly after his victory in November.

"My choice was based on the security of my family and the imperative to focusing all of my focus on enacting the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," Mamdani said on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community known for its vibrant immigrant populations and international dining.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the best of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change there, Astoria will always live a part of me and my work," he affirmed.

Political Debate

In his election campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his rivals, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing even though he came from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his private home on the Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a venue for official events, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting very different than his modest Astoria digs.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.

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

Ghostly Tales

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 floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, a policy where the city sets limits on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.

Tenants see such units as crucial resources as the price of rent exceeds the means of many residents.

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

According to real estate analysts Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.