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New York City's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the rent-stabilised apartment that sparked debate during his election bid.

An Iconic Home

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion has functioned as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors after the post-war period.

However, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central issue, was not quick to announce he would live there promptly after his victory in November.

"This decision rested on keeping my family safe and the importance of focusing my complete efforts on enacting the platform on affordability voters voted for," the Mayor-Elect declared on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

His home was in the Astoria neighbourhood, a community renowned for its abundance of cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To Astoria: many thanks for demonstrating the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"Even though I'm moving there, the community will forever remain a part of me and the work I do," he added.

Campaign Controversy

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

But his opponents, mainly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing despite the fact that he is from a famous family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the business magnate, kept his residence in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side for his time in office, which concluded in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg said he believed it could serve as a space for civic gatherings, and championed an extensive renovation of the historic mansion.

A Stately Residence

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will find himself in an environment a stark contrast to his humble Astoria home.

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

Inside, the lower floor of the historically styled mansion is decorated in the spirit of the home's historical period.

The compound, which allegedly has several bedrooms, also has enhanced security to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that they experienced doors opening and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards creaked eerily.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "I don't care the skeptics say," he declared in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

Mamdani's current apartment is rent-stabilized, meaning the city imposes caps on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments crucial resources as the price of rent outpaces the means of many residents.

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

Based on data from the real estate platform Zillow, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,500 a month.