Zohran Mamdani affirms his intention to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion

New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue throughout his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core platform, was not quick to announce his residency plans promptly after his victory in November.

"The choice was based on the security of my family and the imperative to dedicating all of my focus on implementing the affordability agenda New Yorkers supported," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community famous for its vibrant cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying what is great about New York City," he expressed.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, the community will forever remain a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

However his rivals, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he came from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his time in office, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for public city functions, and pushed for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

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

Featuring pale yellow exterior, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Haunted History

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, which means the city imposes caps on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

Tenants see such units as essential protections as the price of rent rises faster than the means of many residents.

Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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