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New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

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

"The choice came down to our family's safety and the importance of directing my full attention on implementing the platform on affordability voters voted for," stated Mamdani on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area famous for its vibrant cultural enclaves and international dining.

"To Astoria: thank you for showing us what is great about New York City," he noted.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, it will always live inside me and the work I do," he affirmed.

Political Debate

During his campaign, Mamdani linked his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his rivals, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment despite the fact that he hails from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side during his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for public city functions, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience surroundings far removed from his humble Astoria digs.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated consistent with the home's historical period.

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

Haunted History

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

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

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city regulates on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents see such units as essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

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

According to the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.