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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that became a focal point in his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the official residence for most New York City mayors after the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core platform, did not confirm his residency plans right away following his victory in November.

"The choice came down to our family's safety and the importance of directing my full attention on carrying out the platform on affordability New Yorkers supported," Mamdani said in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, Astoria will continue to reside inside me and my work," he added.

Political Debate

In his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his key pledge – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

Yet his opponents, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit even though he came from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

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

Instead, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a venue for civic gatherings, and championed a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience surroundings a stark contrast to his modest Astoria home.

Featuring pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Inside, the first floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's historical period.

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

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent-stabilized, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

Tenants see such units as crucial resources as the price of rent outpaces what many can afford.

It was reported Mamdani paid about $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.