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New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, departing from the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point during his campaign.

An Iconic Home

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

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central policy, did not confirm he would live there right away after his electoral win in November.

"The choice rested on our family's safety and the importance of dedicating my complete efforts on implementing the platform on affordability New Yorkers voted for," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, a district famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he noted.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, the community will continue to reside inside me and the work I do," he added.

Political Debate

In his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

However his critics, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit although he is from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it should be a space for civic gatherings, and championed a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings far removed from his modest Astoria digs.

Featuring cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed to reflect the home's historical period.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to protect the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

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

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, a policy where the city imposes caps on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments crucial resources as the price of rent exceeds 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 single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.