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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind his rent-controlled apartment that was a central issue throughout his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for the majority of New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central issue, did not confirm his residency plans immediately following his triumph in November.

"This decision came down to keeping my family safe and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the agenda for affordability voters voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community renowned for its diverse immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

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

"Even though I'm moving in the neighborhood, it will forever remain inside me and my work," he added.

Campaign Controversy

During his election campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

But his critics, including ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the affordable housing even though he hails from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Some mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, chose to live in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it should be a place for public city functions, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his first day on 1 January, he will experience an environment very different than his humble Astoria home.

With its cream-colored walls, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.

Internally, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is decorated to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

The compound, which is said to has several bedrooms, also boasts enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

Past occupants have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

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

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, meaning the city imposes caps on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers see such units as crucial resources as the cost of housing outpaces what many can afford.

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

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