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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has confirmed to make his home in the iconic Gracie Mansion, departing from the affordable apartment that became a focal point throughout his campaign.

A Traditional Abode

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

But, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a key platform, hesitated to declare his residency plans promptly after his triumph in November.

"The choice was based on the security of my family and the imperative to focusing my complete efforts on implementing the platform on affordability the city's residents supported," stated Mamdani on Monday.

Thanking a Neighborhood

Mamdani lived in the Queens borough of Astoria, a community famous for its abundance of immigrant populations and global cuisine.

"To Astoria: thank you for exemplifying the true spirit of New York City," he expressed.

"Although my address will change there, it will always live a part of me and my work," he affirmed.

Political Debate

In his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his key pledge – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

But his opponents, most notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, criticised Mamdani for occupying the apartment although he came from a famous family.

A House Not Always Used

Not every mayor have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, chose to live in his personal mansion on the Upper East Side for his tenure, which wrapped up in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it should be a place for civic gatherings, and championed a major refurbishment of the historic mansion.

A Vastly Different Setting

As he settles into Gracie Mansion sometime around his inauguration on 1 January, he will experience an environment far removed from his modest Astoria apartment.

With its butter yellow paint, forest green window covers, and pristine railings, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is appointed in the spirit of the home's original era.

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

Haunted History

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, once said that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "No matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

Affordable Housing Lifeline

His former home is under rent control, which means the city regulates on how much building managers can raise the rent each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as crucial resources as the cost of housing outpaces the average income.

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

Per figures from real estate analysts Zillow, the median rent for a single-bedroom unit in New York City is $3,500 a month.