T
he eerie world of Lumon Industries, the fictional corporation from Apple TV+'s hit thriller "Severance," feels like a dystopian nightmare. But what if you could step inside that cold, corporate labyrinth in real life? You can.
Located in Holmdel, New Jersey, the imposing glass-and-steel headquarters of Lumon is actually Bell Works, a massive complex originally designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen. Once known as Bell Labs, the research and development arm of AT&T, it was built in 1962 and was a hub of scientific innovation where groundbreaking technologies like the laser and cell phone were developed.
After being abandoned for years, Bell Labs was redeveloped into a modern mixed-use space in 2013, retaining its striking mid-century design. Today, Bell Works houses offices, retail shops, restaurants, and event venues, but its eerie grandeur remains intact, making it instantly recognizable to fans of "Severance."
While much of the show's interior was recreated on soundstages, exterior shots and select scenes were filmed on-site at Bell Works. The building's imposing aesthetic, with its expansive atrium, symmetrical hallways, and reflective facade, seamlessly aligned with the show's themes of corporate control and psychological isolation.
Production designer Jeremy Hindle was drawn to Bell Works for its unique blend of history and eerie grandeur. "They really did try to create this perfect working, living world," he said of Bell Labs' original design. However, in "Severance," Lumon's corporate world is anything but utopian.
The building's gleaming glass, long symmetrical hallways, and cavernous spaces take on a more sinister tone, reinforcing the show's theme of workers trapped in a system that strips them of autonomy. For those paying close attention, Bell Works appears in several key moments throughout the series, including when Mark arrives at work and Helly receives her brain implant.
The best part? Unlike Mark and his fellow Macro Data Refinement team members, you won't need a brain implant or a severance procedure to explore the building. Bell Works is open to the public, and visitors can freely walk through its hallways, marvel at its towering glass facade, or grab a coffee from one of its on-site cafes.
Located just an hour from New York City, the facility has transformed into a lively hub where people work, shop, and dine. Despite the modern updates, there's still an eerie familiarity for "Severance" fans. The mid-century architecture, vast symmetrical spaces, and sterile corporate atmosphere all remain intact – making it feel like Lumon Industries could be operating just below the surface.
For those looking to immerse themselves in the world of "Severance," Bell Works offers the closest experience possible. You can stand where Mark stood, walk the same halls as Helly, and take in the unsettling grandeur of a place that might have been your workplace – minus the memory-erasing microchip, of course.
