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The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point in his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a core platform, was not quick to announce his residency plans right away after his victory in November.

"The choice was based on our family's safety and the importance of directing my full attention on implementing the platform on affordability New Yorkers voted for," Mamdani said in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its diverse immigrant communities and international dining.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the best of New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, Astoria will continue to reside inside me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.

Campaign Controversy

In his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his core platform – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements.

However his rivals, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing although he hails from a famous family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, preferred to remain in his private home on the Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it should be a space for public city functions, and pushed for significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting a stark contrast to his modest Astoria apartment.

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

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

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

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, which means the city imposes caps on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford.

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

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.