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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that sparked debate throughout his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors after the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key issue, did not confirm he would live there immediately following his triumph in November.

"My choice rested on the security of my family and the imperative to dedicating my full attention on implementing the affordability agenda the city's residents supported," stated Mamdani in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area renowned for its diverse immigrant populations and international dining.

"To Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the best of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain inside me and my work," he affirmed.

Political Debate

During his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his core platform – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

But his rivals, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing despite the fact that he came from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for civic gatherings, and advocated for an extensive renovation 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 an environment a stark contrast to his previous Astoria digs.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Within, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's historical period.

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

Haunted History

Past occupants have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

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

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, meaning the city sets limits on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as essential protections as the price of rent exceeds the means of many residents.

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

Based on data from the property website Zillow, the median rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.