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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, will opt to take up residence in the iconic Gracie Mansion, leaving behind the affordable apartment that sparked debate in his run for office.

A Traditional Abode

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the official residence for nearly all New York City mayors from the World War II era.

But, Mamdani, for whom rent control is a core policy, hesitated to declare this decision right away after his triumph in November.

"The choice rested on the security of my family and the need to focusing my complete efforts on implementing the affordability agenda New Yorkers elected me on," Mamdani said in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

His home was in the Queens borough of Astoria, an area known for its vibrant immigrant communities and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: my gratitude for showing us the true spirit of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Although my address will change in Astoria, it will forever remain within me and my work," he added.

A Contentious Issue

Throughout his race for mayor, Mamdani linked his central policy – a rent freeze – to his circumstances as a tenant.

Yet his rivals, most notably ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for living in the affordable housing even though he is from a well-known family.

Not All Mayors Stayed

Some mayors have decided to stay at Gracie Mansion.

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire entrepreneur, kept his residence in his personal mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side for his time in office, which concluded in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a place for official events, and pushed for significant upgrades of the older mansion.

A Stately Residence

As he settles into Gracie Mansion for his swearing-in on 1 January, he will experience a setting far removed from his modest Astoria home.

With its cream-colored walls, forest green window covers, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is a wedding cake of a house with views of the East River.

Internally, the ground floor of the historically styled mansion is furnished consistent with the home's historical period.

The estate, which allegedly has five bedrooms, also includes increased security measures to secure the mayor and his family.

Supernatural Speculation

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

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of ex-mayor Bill De Blasio, told reporters that they experienced doors opening and closed by themselves, and the floorboards made strange noises.

The departing mayor Eric Adams was more certain. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "It has spirits in there, man."

The Value of Rent Stabilization

Mamdani's current apartment is rent stabilised, which means the city regulates on how much landlords can raise the rent each year.

City residents view rent-stabilized housing as valuable lifelines as the housing expenses exceeds what many can afford.

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

Per figures from real estate analysts Zillow, the average rent for a studio or one-bedroom in New York City is $3,500 a month.