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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point throughout his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for most New York City mayors after the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans immediately after his electoral win in November.

"The choice was based on our family's safety and the importance of directing my complete efforts on carrying out the agenda for affordability the city's residents voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

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

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for showing us the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, the community will always live inside me and my work," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

In his election campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements.

But his critics, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the apartment even though he hails from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side during his tenure, which ended 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 Grand New Home

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting far removed from his previous Astoria home.

Featuring cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home overlooking the East River.

Within, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished consistent with the home's original era.

The property, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter what people claim," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much landlords can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as crucial resources as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

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

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