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New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central issue, did not confirm he would live there right away after his victory in November.

"The choice came down to keeping my family safe and the imperative to dedicating my full attention on enacting the platform on affordability the city's residents elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district known for its abundance of cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, it will always live inside me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

A Contentious Issue

During his campaign, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his opponents, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he came from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for official events, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in a setting very different than his previous Astoria apartment.

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

Within, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

A number of people have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, a policy where the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses rises faster than what many can afford.

It was reported Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

According to real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.