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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point during his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for most New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key platform, hesitated to declare he would live there right away following his triumph in November.

"The choice came down to the security of my family and the imperative to dedicating my full attention on enacting the affordability agenda the city's residents supported," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine.

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

"Although my address will change there, the community will forever remain within me and the work I do," he said.

Campaign Controversy

In his election campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his opponents, including ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the apartment although he is from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a venue for official events, and advocated for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

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

With its butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The property, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also has increased security measures to secure the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, a policy where the city regulates on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as crucial resources as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.

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

According to the property website Zillow, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.