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NYC's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the traditional Gracie Mansion, vacating the rent-stabilised apartment that became a focal point throughout his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the post-war period.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a central policy, hesitated to declare his residency plans right away after his triumph in November.

"This decision came down to our family's safety and the importance of focusing my full attention on implementing the platform on affordability New Yorkers supported," stated Mamdani in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

He resided in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area known for its abundance of immigrant populations and international dining.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving in Astoria, the community will forever remain inside me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his election campaign, Mamdani connected his key pledge – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements.

However his critics, mainly one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit although he hails from a well-known family.

Previous Exceptions

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, preferred to remain in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his three terms, which wrapped up in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it should be a space for official events, and championed a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting far removed from his previous Astoria apartment.

Featuring cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Within, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed to reflect the home's original era.

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

Haunted History

Some residents have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors would sometimes open and closed by themselves, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

The apartment he is leaving is rent stabilised, meaning the city imposes caps on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

Tenants consider these apartments valuable lifelines as the price of rent exceeds what many can afford.

Records showed Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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