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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his campaign.

An Iconic Home

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

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central platform, did not confirm he would live there immediately following his triumph in November.

"This decision was based on our family's safety and the importance of focusing my full attention on implementing the affordability agenda voters elected me on," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, it will continue to reside a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani linked his key pledge – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

Yet his rivals, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment although he hails from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his private home on the Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a venue for official events, and advocated for significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Stately Residence

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience surroundings very different than his previous Astoria digs.

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

Inside, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

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

Ghostly Tales

Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, which means the city imposes caps on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the cost of housing rises faster than the average income.

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

Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.