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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue throughout his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for most New York City mayors since the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core issue, was not quick to announce this decision promptly following his victory in November.

"This decision was based on our family's safety and the need to directing my full attention on carrying out the affordability agenda New Yorkers elected me on," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

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

"Although my address will change in Astoria, it will continue to reside inside me and my efforts as mayor," he added.

A Contentious Issue

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

But his critics, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for remaining in the apartment despite the fact that he came from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it should be a venue for civic gatherings, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings far removed from his previous Astoria home.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure situated by the East River.

Within, the ground floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

The compound, which is said to has several bedrooms, also has increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Some residents have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the cost of housing outpaces the average income.

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

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