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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that was a central issue in his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors since the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central policy, did not confirm his residency plans right away following his electoral win in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the need to dedicating all of my focus on implementing the agenda for affordability voters voted for," Mamdani said on Monday.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community known for its abundance of immigrant communities and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: thank you for exemplifying the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"While I may no longer live in Astoria, the community will always live inside me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.

Political Debate

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani tied his key pledge – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

But his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment despite the fact that he is from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his tenure, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a space for public city functions, and championed a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience an environment far removed from his modest Astoria apartment.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Within, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also boasts increased security measures to protect the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits 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 property owners can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the price of rent rises faster than the average income.

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

According to the property website Zillow, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.