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The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that was a central issue throughout his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors after the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans right away after his triumph in November.

"This decision rested on the security of my family and the importance of dedicating my full attention on carrying out the affordability agenda the city's residents supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in Astoria, Queens, a district renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for showing us the best of New York City," he expressed.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, it will continue to reside within me and my work," he added.

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani tied his central policy – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his rivals, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the apartment even though he is from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, chose to live in his private home on the Upper East Side during his time in office, which wrapped up in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a venue for public city functions, and championed significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings a stark contrast to his previous Astoria apartment.

Adorned in cream-colored walls, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's original era.

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

Supernatural Speculation

Past occupants have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, a policy where the city regulates on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the price of rent rises faster than the average income.

Records showed Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

Based on data from real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.