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New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point throughout his campaign.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors after the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core policy, hesitated to declare he would live there right away after his triumph in November.

"The choice rested on our family's safety and the importance of focusing all of my focus on enacting the platform on affordability voters supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

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

"Even though I'm moving there, the community will continue to reside within me and my work," he added.

Campaign Controversy

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

But his opponents, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit although he is from a prominent family.

A House Not Always Used

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

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

Rather, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a place for public city functions, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings a stark contrast to his previous Astoria digs.

With its cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

The compound, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is rent stabilised, a policy where the city sets limits on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses outpaces what many can afford.

It was reported 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 studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.