In an unprecedented move, Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will take the oath of office at midnight on January 1st inside an abandoned subway station within City Hall.
According to New York City Street, the station—Old City Hall Station—dates back to 1904 and was part of the city’s first subway network, closing to the public in 1945.
Mamdani described the station as a symbol of the city’s ambition to build projects that serve the working class, emphasizing that his administration aims to revive this vision through practical policies. He stated:
“As I take the oath from this station at the dawn of the new year, I do so humbled by the opportunity to lead millions of New Yorkers into a new era of opportunity.”
Historic Subway Hosts NYC Mayor’s Oath of Office
The private ceremony will be attended by his family, with Attorney General Letitia James administering the oath. A public ceremony will take place later that day at City Hall, featuring new Comptroller Mark Levine and Public Advocate Jumani Williams. Senator Bernie Sanders will participate in the daytime events, which coincide with the car-free “Street Ceremony” on Broadway.
Choosing the historic station carries strong symbolic meaning: it was New York’s first subway station, featuring unique architectural design, skylights, and ornate details, making it a historic icon. Despite being closed for over eighty years, the station remains in good condition due to limited use and is still accessible via transportation museum tours or the 6 train passing through.
With this choice, Mamdani connects the city’s historic legacy with his future vision, signaling that public transit and the working class will be central to his administration’s policies.