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NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that was a central issue in his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors after the World War II era.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core issue, hesitated to declare he would live there immediately following his victory in November.

"This decision rested on our family's safety and the importance of dedicating my full attention on implementing the affordability agenda voters voted for," Mamdani said on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district renowned for its diverse immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, the community will always live inside me and my work," he said.

Political Debate

During his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his rivals, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he is from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a place for official events, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment far removed from his modest Astoria digs.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The property, which is said to has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

Some residents have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, meaning the city sets limits on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the price of rent rises faster than the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani paid about $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.