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

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors after the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, was not quick to announce he would live there promptly following his victory in November.

"The choice came down to keeping my family safe and the imperative to focusing my full attention on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, a community famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: many thanks for showing us what is great about New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, Astoria will continue to reside within me and my work," he affirmed.

Political Debate

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

But his opponents, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he is from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his time in office, which concluded in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a venue for public city functions, and pushed for an extensive renovation of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings very different than his modest Astoria home.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated consistent with the home's historical period.

The compound, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Some residents have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, meaning the city sets limits on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments essential protections as the cost of housing outpaces the average income.

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

Per figures from the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.