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New York City's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that sparked debate during his election bid.

A Historic Residence

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for the majority of New York City mayors from the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central issue, was not quick to announce his residency plans promptly following his victory in November.

"My choice came down to the security of my family and the need to dedicating my complete efforts on enacting the affordability agenda the city's residents elected me on," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in Astoria, Queens, a district famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for demonstrating the best of New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live there, the community will forever remain inside me and my work," he affirmed.

Political Debate

In his campaign, Mamdani tied his central policy – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

Yet his critics, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing although he hails from a well-known family.

A House Not Always Used

Not all mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his private home on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his first day on 1 January, he will be surrounded by surroundings very different than his humble Astoria home.

Featuring cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure with views of the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

The compound, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also has fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

Some residents have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "No matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

His former home is rent stabilised, which means the city regulates on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

City residents see such units as crucial resources as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford.

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

According to the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.