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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate in his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core issue, hesitated to declare his residency plans immediately following his electoral win in November.

"This decision was based on our family's safety and the importance of directing my complete efforts on implementing the agenda for affordability the city's residents voted for," stated Mamdani in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in Astoria, Queens, an area famous for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

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

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani linked his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his opponents, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit even though he came from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg argued it should be a space for public city functions, and championed a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings far removed from his humble Astoria digs.

With its cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Internally, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's original era.

The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

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

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, which means the city sets limits on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers see such units as essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than what many can afford.

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

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