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NYC's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate throughout his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors after the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core issue, hesitated to declare he would live there promptly after his electoral win in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the imperative to focusing my full attention on implementing the agenda for affordability New Yorkers voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area known for its abundance of immigrant communities and international dining.

"To the people of Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating what is great about New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain a part of me and the work I do," he affirmed.

Political Debate

In his campaign, Mamdani tied his key pledge – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

But his rivals, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the affordable housing although he hails from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a space for public city functions, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings a stark contrast to his modest Astoria home.

Featuring butter yellow paint, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

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

The property, which is said to has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent-stabilized, a policy where the city regulates on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as crucial resources as the housing expenses exceeds the means of many residents.

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

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