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The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the traditional Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point during his election bid.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors after the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central issue, was not quick to announce his residency plans right away following his electoral win in November.

"My choice came down to keeping my family safe and the imperative to dedicating all of my focus on carrying out the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared in his announcement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community famous for its vibrant immigrant populations and global cuisine.

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

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, the community will forever remain a part of me and the work I do," he added.

Political Debate

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

However his critics, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the apartment despite the fact that he came from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his tenure, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for public city functions, and championed an extensive renovation of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will experience surroundings very different than his previous Astoria digs.

Featuring butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's historical period.

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

Haunted History

Past occupants have alleged 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 floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, which means the city regulates on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

Tenants see such units as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses outpaces the means of many residents.

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

Based on data from the property website Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.