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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for most New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key policy, was not quick to announce his residency plans right away after his triumph in November.

"This decision came down to our family's safety and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district known for its vibrant immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: thank you for exemplifying the best of New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live there, it will always live inside me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani linked his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

Yet his critics, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment although he came from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a venue for official events, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting a stark contrast to his previous Astoria apartment.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished to reflect the home's original era.

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

Haunted History

Some residents have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "I don't care what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, meaning the city imposes caps on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the cost of housing rises faster than what many can afford.

Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.