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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that was a central issue in his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the primary dwelling for most New York City mayors from the World War II era.

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

"The choice rested on the security of my family and the need to dedicating all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda the city's residents voted for," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community renowned for its diverse immigrant populations and culinary diversity.

"To the people of Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the best of New York City," he noted.

"Although my address will change in the neighborhood, the community will continue to reside within me and my efforts as mayor," he said.

A Contentious Issue

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

Yet his opponents, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, attacked Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit even though he hails from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor, kept his residence in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which concluded in 2012.

Instead, Bloomberg argued it ought to be a space for public city functions, and championed a major refurbishment of the aging mansion.

A Grand New Home

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will be surrounded by an environment very different than his modest Astoria home.

Adorned in butter yellow paint, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house overlooking the East River.

Within, the ground floor of the classically designed mansion is appointed consistent with the home's early 19th-century origins.

The property, which is said to has several bedrooms, also includes fortified protections to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

A number of people have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what people claim," he stated in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

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

City residents see such units as essential protections as the cost of housing 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 average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.