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NYC's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue in his election bid.

A Historic Residence

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the primary dwelling for the majority of New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans right away following his victory in November.

"This decision rested on our family's safety and the importance of focusing my full attention on carrying out the platform on affordability voters elected me on," Mamdani said in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community known for its diverse immigrant populations and international dining.

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

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will forever remain within me and the work I do," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani tied his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his rivals, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he hails from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a place for official events, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

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

With its cream-colored walls, green shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Within, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated to reflect the home's original era.

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

Ghostly Tales

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "No matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, which means the city imposes caps on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

Tenants consider these apartments 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 real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.