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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that became a focal point in his campaign.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors since the mid-20th century.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, hesitated to declare he would live there promptly following his triumph in November.

"My choice was based on keeping my family safe and the need to focusing my complete efforts on carrying out the platform on affordability New Yorkers supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

He resided in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

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

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, it will always live a part of me and my work," he added.

Campaign Controversy

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his key pledge – to freeze the rent – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his rivals, including one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the affordable housing although he came from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Not all mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which concluded in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it could serve as a space for public city functions, and pushed for a major refurbishment of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment far removed from his previous Astoria apartment.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, emerald shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.

Within, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished in the spirit of the home's historical period.

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

Ghostly Tales

Some residents have claimed that Gracie Mansion also has ghostly inhabitants.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what people claim," he declared in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, meaning the city regulates on how much property owners can increase rent each year.

City residents consider these apartments crucial resources as the cost of housing exceeds the means of many residents.

It was reported Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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