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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

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

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core platform, hesitated to declare his residency plans immediately following his electoral win in November.

"My choice came down to keeping my family safe and the importance of dedicating all of my focus on implementing the affordability agenda voters voted for," stated Mamdani on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area known for its diverse cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live there, the community will always live a part of me and the work I do," he added.

Political Debate

In his campaign, Mamdani linked his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his critics, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit although he came from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his own townhouse on the Upper East Side for his time in office, which concluded in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a venue for civic gatherings, and pushed for significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings very different than his previous Astoria digs.

With its butter yellow paint, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Internally, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

The compound, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also boasts enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.

City residents see such units as essential protections as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford.

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

Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.