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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue during his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for most New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core issue, hesitated to declare this decision promptly following his victory in November.

"My choice rested on the security of my family and the importance of dedicating my full attention on implementing the agenda for affordability New Yorkers elected me on," Mamdani said in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

He resided in Astoria, Queens, an area known for its abundance of immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us what is great about New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, it will always live a part of me and my work," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

However his opponents, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing despite the fact that he hails from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for official events, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment very different than his modest Astoria digs.

With its cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished consistent with the home's original era.

The compound, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

His former home is rent stabilised, meaning the city imposes caps on how much landlords can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as essential protections as the cost of housing rises faster than the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $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.