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The city's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, vacating the affordable apartment that became a focal point in his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Constructed in 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 policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans immediately following his electoral win in November.

"The choice rested on our family's safety and the need to dedicating my full attention on carrying out the agenda for affordability the city's residents voted for," Mamdani said in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

Mamdani lived in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its diverse cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating what is great about New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, it will always live within me and my work," he affirmed.

Political Debate

In his campaign, Mamdani tied his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his opponents, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he came from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

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

Rather, Bloomberg argued it could serve as a space for civic gatherings, and advocated for an extensive renovation of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

Upon taking up residence at Gracie Mansion near his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting very different than his previous Astoria apartment.

With its pale yellow exterior, 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 lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is appointed to reflect the home's original era.

The compound, which is said to has five bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't 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, meaning the city sets limits on how much property owners can raise the rent each year.

City residents see such units as valuable lifelines as the price of rent exceeds the average income.

It was reported Mamdani paid about $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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