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New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue throughout his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key policy, did not confirm this decision immediately following his electoral win in November.

"The choice rested on keeping my family safe and the imperative to directing my complete efforts on enacting the affordability agenda the city's residents voted for," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area known for its vibrant immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, the community will forever remain a part of me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

Political Debate

During his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his core platform – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

However his opponents, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit even though he hails from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not all mayors 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 during his tenure, which concluded in 2012.

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

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience a setting far removed from his modest Astoria home.

Featuring butter yellow paint, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Within, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's historical period.

The compound, which reportedly has several bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what people claim," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

His former home is rent-stabilized, which means the city imposes caps on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

Tenants see such units as crucial resources as the housing expenses rises faster than the means of many residents.

Data indicated Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.