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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that sparked debate throughout his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

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

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central platform, hesitated to declare this decision right away following his triumph in November.

"The choice rested on keeping my family safe and the importance of focusing all of my focus on implementing the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for," stated Mamdani in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change there, the community will continue to reside within me and the work I do," he said.

Campaign Controversy

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

But his critics, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for living in the apartment although he came from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it ought to be a place for public city functions, and pushed for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings very different than his previous Astoria digs.

Featuring cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Within, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's early 19th-century origins.

The property, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is under rent control, meaning the city sets limits on how much landlords can increase rent each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the price of rent outpaces the means of many residents.

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

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