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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that became a focal point in his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors after the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central issue, was not quick to announce he would live there right away after his triumph in November.

"My choice came down to our family's safety and the need to directing all of my focus on implementing the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community known for its abundance of immigrant communities and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating what is great about New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving in the neighborhood, Astoria will continue to reside within me and the work I do," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

During his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

Yet his opponents, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit although he came from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

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

Instead, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a venue for official events, and championed an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his modest Astoria apartment.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Within, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Haunted History

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "I don't care what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

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

City residents consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford.

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

Per figures from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.