Zohran Mamdani chose an unusual place for his private swearing-in ceremony: an old subway station beneath City Hall in New York City. This site, closed for 80 years, is a grand underground space featuring beautiful chandeliers and stunning tiled arches.
Mamdani’s choice reflects his vision for service and working people. He hopes to bring new life to a city that has historically prioritized those values. The former City Hall subway station opened in 1904 and was once a busy terminal on the first subway line.
In 2025, Mamdani told Streetsblog NYC that the station was “a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things.” He emphasized that we can strive for that ambition today, not just reminisce about it.
This underground ceremony, held at midnight on New Year’s Eve, was small. Only family and a few close allies, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, were invited. In a public statement, James remarked that the subway connects New Yorkers and symbolizes the inclusion Mamdani seeks in his administration.
Historically, the old station served as a gateway to the Bronx, where Mamdani grew up. However, the station closed in 1945 after its design became incompatible with longer subway trains. Today, it’s viewed as a symbol of innovation in public transport and was once called “the Mona Lisa of subway stations.”
The charm of this site remains, as it can still be glimpsed from the 6 train, which does a loop through the old terminal. For a deeper dive into New York City’s transit history, check out the New York Transit Museum.
Mamdani’s choice reinforces a message: we can look to the past while pushing for progress, ensuring that every New Yorker thrives in this vibrant city.
