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The city's next chief executive, Zohran Mamdani, has decided to live in the iconic Gracie Mansion, vacating his rent-controlled apartment that sparked debate in his run for office.

An Iconic Home

Dating back to 1799, Gracie Mansion has been the mayoral home for nearly all New York City mayors from the mid-20th century.

Yet, Mamdani, for whom affordable housing is a central issue, did not confirm he would live there promptly following his victory in November.

"My choice came down to keeping my family safe and the need to focusing my complete efforts on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers elected me on," the Mayor-Elect declared in a statement.

Leaving Astoria

He resided in Astoria, Queens, an area famous for its vibrant cultural enclaves and culinary diversity.

"To my neighbors in Astoria: many thanks for showing us the best of New York City," Mamdani's statement said.

"Even though I'm moving there, Astoria will forever remain a part of me and my work," he said.

A Contentious Issue

During his campaign, Mamdani connected his central policy – halting rent increases – to his own housing situation.

Yet his critics, mainly ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, challenged Mamdani for occupying the rent-stabilized unit although he hails 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 own townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side during his three terms, which ended in 2012.

Rather, Bloomberg felt it ought to be a space for civic gatherings, and pushed for 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 surroundings a stark contrast to his humble Astoria digs.

With its cream-colored walls, green shutters, and bright white balustrades, Gracie Mansion is an ornate structure overlooking the East River.

Within, the lower floor of the Federal-style mansion is furnished consistent with the home's original era.

The estate, which is said to has several bedrooms, also includes enhanced security to protect the mayor and his family.

Ghostly Tales

Some residents have alleged that Gracie Mansion also has supernatural lodgers.

Chirlane McCray, the spouse of previous mayor Bill De Blasio, informed the press that doors occasionally opened and closing inexplicably, and the floorboards made strange noises.

Former Mayor Eric Adams was even more convinced. "It doesn't matter what anyone says," he stated in 2022. "The place is haunted in there, man."

A Critical Policy Issue

The apartment he is leaving is rent-stabilized, meaning the city imposes caps on how much building managers can increase rent each year.

New Yorkers consider these apartments essential protections as the housing expenses rises faster than the average income.

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

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