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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that sparked debate throughout his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for nearly all New York City mayors since the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key platform, hesitated to declare he would live there right away following his electoral win in November.

"This decision was based on keeping my family safe and the imperative to directing all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

He resided in Astoria, Queens, a community famous for its diverse cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for exemplifying what is great about New York City," he expressed.

"Even though I'm moving in the neighborhood, it will continue to reside within me and the work I do," he affirmed.

Political Debate

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his own housing situation.

But his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the apartment despite the fact that he came from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

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

Instead, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a space for public city functions, and advocated for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience an environment very different than his modest Astoria digs.

With its butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.

The compound, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also has enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, which means the city sets limits on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

Tenants see such units as essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

Records showed Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

According to the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.