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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that sparked debate during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors after the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central platform, hesitated to declare this decision promptly after his victory in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the importance of directing all of my focus on implementing the platform on affordability the city's residents voted for," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in Astoria, Queens, a community known for its diverse immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To Astoria: many thanks for showing us the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change there, the community will forever remain a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his opponents, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment even though he is from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it should be a venue for civic gatherings, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment far removed from his previous Astoria apartment.

With its butter yellow paint, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Internally, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter 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, a policy where the city regulates on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the cost of housing outpaces the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

According to the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.