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The city's Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the historic Gracie Mansion, departing from his rent-controlled apartment that sparked debate throughout his run for office.

A Historic Residence

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has served as the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era.

However, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a key platform, did not confirm he would live there immediately following his triumph in November.

"This decision came down to the security of my family and the importance of dedicating my complete efforts on implementing the affordability agenda the city's residents supported," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

A Fond Farewell

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

"To Astoria: my gratitude for exemplifying the best of New York City," he expressed.

"While I may no longer live in Astoria, it will always live within me and my efforts as mayor," he affirmed.

A Contentious Issue

During his race for mayor, Mamdani connected his core platform – a rent freeze – to his personal living arrangements.

Yet his opponents, most notably one-time governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the affordable housing even though he came from a prominent family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Not all mayors have chosen to live at Gracie Mansion.

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

In his view, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a venue for official events, and advocated for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Grand New Home

When Mamdani moves into Gracie Mansion near his first day on 1 January, he will find himself in surroundings very different than his modest Astoria home.

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

Within, the lower floor of the classically designed mansion is furnished consistent with the home's original era.

The estate, which reportedly has five bedrooms, also boasts enhanced security to protect the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has spiritual residents.

Chirlane McCray, the partner of former mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that doors would sometimes open and shutting on their own, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was adamant. "It doesn't matter the skeptics say," he insisted in 2022. "There are ghosts in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

The apartment he is leaving is under rent control, a policy where the city regulates on how much building managers can hike the monthly cost each year.

Tenants see such units as essential protections as the price of rent outpaces what many can afford.

It was reported Mamdani was paying approximately $2,300 each month for his apartment.

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