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New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to take up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that was a central issue throughout his campaign.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors from the post-war period.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom housing costs is a central policy, did not confirm he would live there right away after his victory in November.

"The choice was based on keeping my family safe and the imperative to dedicating all of my focus on carrying out the affordability agenda voters supported," Mamdani said on Monday.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in Astoria, Queens, a district known for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To the people of Astoria: many thanks for showing us what is great about New York City," he noted.

"While I may no longer live in Astoria, the community will always live within me and the work I do," he said.

Campaign Controversy

During his campaign, Mamdani connected his core platform – a rent freeze – to his own housing situation.

But his opponents, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the apartment even though he hails from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, preferred to remain in his private home on the Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a space for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his inauguration on 1 January, he will be surrounded by a setting a stark contrast to his humble Astoria apartment.

Adorned in pale yellow exterior, green shutters, and white railings, Gracie Mansion is a picturesque home with views of the East River.

Inside, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated consistent with the home's original era.

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

Ghostly Tales

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of former mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and shutting on their own, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he insisted in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

Mamdani's current apartment is under rent control, which means the city regulates on how much landlords can hike the monthly cost each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as essential protections as the price of rent outpaces the average income.

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

Based on data from the property website Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.