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New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue throughout his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors from the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, was not quick to announce this decision immediately after his triumph in November.

"The choice rested on the security of my family and the need to focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the agenda for affordability the city's residents voted for," Mamdani said in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district known for its abundance of cultural enclaves and international dining.

"To Astoria: thank you for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving there, it will forever remain inside me and my work," he added.

A Contentious Issue

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

Yet his rivals, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment although he hails from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for official events, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings very different than his modest Astoria home.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River.

Within, the first floor of the classically designed mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The compound, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care what anyone says," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, meaning the city sets limits on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers see such units as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing exceeds the average income.

Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the property website Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.