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NYC's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that sparked debate during his election bid.

A Traditional Abode

Constructed in 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the official residence for most New York City mayors after the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a core platform, hesitated to declare his residency plans immediately following his triumph in November.

"My choice was based on the security of my family and the need to focusing my full attention on enacting the agenda for affordability voters voted for," stated Mamdani in his announcement.

A Fond Farewell

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, a district renowned for its vibrant immigrant communities and international dining.

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

"While I may no longer live in the neighborhood, the community will continue to reside a part of me and my work," he added.

A Contentious Issue

During his campaign, Mamdani linked his central policy – to freeze the rent – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his rivals, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for remaining in the rent-stabilized unit although he is from a prominent family.

Previous Exceptions

Some mayors have opted to reside at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his three terms, which ended in 2012.

In his view, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for public city functions, and advocated for a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will find himself in an environment far removed from his modest Astoria home.

With its butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house situated by the East River.

Internally, the first floor of the Federal-style mansion is decorated to reflect the home's early 19th-century origins.

The estate, which is said to has several bedrooms, also boasts fortified protections to safeguard the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

A number of people have suggested that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the wife of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is rent-stabilized, meaning the city sets limits on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments crucial resources as the cost of housing rises faster than what many can afford.

Data indicated Mamdani his rent was $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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