Mayor-elect chooses abandoned 1904 transit landmark to symbolize commitment to public works and working New Yorkers
Zohran Mamdani will take the oath of office just before midnight on January 1 at the abandoned Old City Hall subway station, one of New York City’s most architecturally significant transit landmarks. The private ceremony, administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, represents a symbolic commitment to the city’s history of transformative public ambition and working people. The choice of venue carries profound meaning in Mamdani’s vision for his administration, as the station itself embodies the era when New York dared to build transformative infrastructure that changed millions of lives.
A Monument to Public Ambition
When the Old City Hall station first opened in 1904, it marked the beginning of a golden age of public works. The station was one of the original 28 stations on the New York subway system, built with architectural flourishes including chandeliers and skylights that brought natural light from City Hall Park above. The station operated until January 1, 1945, when it closed due to low ridership as larger trains became the standard. Today, the station remains remarkably preserved, with its distinctive architectural features still intact after eighty years of abandonment.
Symbolism and Vision
Mamdani’s decision to be sworn in at this location reflects his belief that New York’s future must reclaim the ambition that built the city’s greatest achievements. In a statement to reporters, Mamdani said: “When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904, it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples’ lives. That ambition need not be a memory confined only to our past.” This statement encapsulates his governing philosophy, which emphasizes returning to the city’s roots of bold public investment and commitment to the working class.
The Ceremony and Attendees
The private midnight ceremony will include only Mamdani’s family members and Attorney General James, making it an intimate moment before the public celebration begins. Later on January 1, at 1 p.m., Mamdani will be ceremonially sworn in at City Hall, with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders administering the oath. This public ceremony will be followed by a citywide block party along Broadway in the historic Canyon of Heroes, designed to make the inauguration accessible to all New Yorkers rather than limiting it to ticketed guests as has been traditional practice.
Public Access and Historic Preservation
The Old City Hall station has been preserved in remarkable condition despite its decades of abandonment. Most New Yorkers have never seen the station, though there are two ways to view it: through official tours offered by the New York Transit Museum, or by remaining on a downtown 6 train after it reaches the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall terminus and observing the station as the train loops through before heading back uptown. The use of this historic space for Mamdani’s inauguration may spark renewed interest in the station’s preservation and potential future uses.
Connecting to a Larger Vision
The choice to begin his mayoralty at Old City Hall Station links directly to Mamdani’s campaign messaging, which centered on affordability, transit equity, and bold public investment. His platform included free bus service, rent freezes for stabilized tenants, and other programs aimed at serving working New Yorkers. By invoking the subway system’s founding era, Mamdani signals that his administration will pursue similarly ambitious projects for modern New Yorkers.
Authority and Research
For historical context on the original subway system and the station’s significance, the New York Historical Society’s documentation of the first subway ride provides detailed records. Additionally, the New York Transit Museum’s dedicated page on Old City Hall Station offers architectural and historical details. The Atlas Obscura entry on the station provides context on its architectural significance. Finally, Mamdani’s official transition team site contains official details and registration information for the public inauguration events. The convergence of history, symbolism, and policy vision makes this unprecedented inauguration a defining moment for New York City’s leadership transition.
