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NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that sparked debate in his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key platform, hesitated to declare his residency plans immediately after his triumph in November.

"The choice was based on keeping my family safe and the imperative to focusing my complete efforts on enacting the agenda for affordability voters supported," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district known for its diverse immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, the community will continue to reside within me and my work," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

In his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his core platform – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

But his opponents, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit although he hails from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a venue for civic gatherings, and advocated for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience surroundings far removed from his previous Astoria home.

With its cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed consistent with the home's original era.

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

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, which means the city regulates on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds the means of many residents.

Records showed Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

According to the property website Zillow, the average rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.