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

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the primary dwelling for nearly all New York City mayors since the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a key policy, was not quick to announce he would live there promptly following his electoral win in November.

"This decision was based on keeping my family safe and the need to dedicating all of my focus on carrying out the platform on affordability the city's residents supported," Mamdani said in his announcement.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, an area famous for its vibrant immigrant communities and global cuisine.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: thank you for showing us what is great about New York City," he noted.

"Although my address will change there, Astoria will always live inside me and the work I do," he said.

A Contentious Issue

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

However his rivals, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for living in the rent-stabilized unit despite the fact that he came from a prominent family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side throughout his time in office, which ended in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a venue for official events, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience a setting very different than his humble Astoria home.

Featuring cream-colored walls, emerald shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished to reflect the home's original era.

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

Supernatural Speculation

Past occupants have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floors emitted odd sounds.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "I don't care the skeptics say," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

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

Tenants consider these apartments crucial resources as the housing expenses exceeds the average income.

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

According to the real estate platform Zillow, the typical monthly cost for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.