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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core issue, did not confirm he would live there promptly after his electoral win in November.

"This decision was based on the security of my family and the importance of directing all of my focus on implementing the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its diverse immigrant populations and international dining.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for exemplifying the best of New York City," he noted.

"Even though I'm moving there, it will always live within me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

Political Debate

During his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he hails from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have opted to reside 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 said he believed it ought to be a space for civic gatherings, and championed an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience an environment a stark contrast to his previous Astoria apartment.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the classically designed 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

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

His former home is under rent control, a policy where the city regulates on how much property owners can hike the monthly cost each year.

New Yorkers see such units as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.

Records showed Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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