Step Inside the Unsettling World of Lumon: Exploring the Real-Life Building Behind "Severance"

From Bell Labs to Lumon Industries: A Building's Transformation

The chillingly corporate world of Lumon Industries, the fictional company at the heart of Apple TV+'s "Severance," feels like a dystopian nightmare. But what if you could actually visit this unsettling labyrinth?

Surprisingly, you can. The imposing glass and steel structure isn't a Hollywood creation; it's a real building located in Holmdel, New Jersey, known as Bell Works.

A Legacy of Innovation, Abandoned and Reborn

Originally built in 1962 as Bell Labs, the research and development arm of AT&T, this architectural marvel, designed by Eero Saarinen, was a hotbed of scientific breakthroughs. From the laser to the cell phone, some of the 20th century's most groundbreaking technologies were born within these walls.

Bell Labs' influence was undeniable, with its researchers garnering nine Nobel Prizes. However, following AT&T's restructuring in the 1980s, the once-thriving institution declined, eventually becoming abandoned by 2007.

But like a phoenix from the ashes, the building was resurrected in 2013 as Bell Works, a modern mixed-use space housing offices, shops, restaurants, and event venues. A far cry from its scientific origins, this blend of history and corporate grandeur captured the attention of "Severance" producers.

A Pilgrimage for "Severance" Fans

While much of "Severance" is filmed on soundstages, key exterior and select interior scenes were shot at Bell Works, making it a must-see destination for fans. The show's unsettling atmosphere is amplified by the building's real-world presence.

From Mark's arrival in the vast, symmetrical parking lot to Helly's chilling brain implant procedure, the building itself becomes a character in the narrative.

Production designer Jeremy Hindle was immediately drawn to Bell Works' imposing aesthetic, perfectly mirroring the show's themes of corporate control and psychological isolation.

"They really did try to create this perfect working, living world," Hindle told Curbed of Bell Labs' original design. "People had dance shows, their own farmers’ markets – they had everything in that place.”

Experiencing the Unsettling Reality

The show’s stark, reflective glass, long hallways, and cavernous spaces, inspired by Saarinen’s mid-century vision, take on a sinister quality in "Severance," reinforcing the feeling of employees trapped within a dehumanizing system.

Unlike Mark and his colleagues, however, you won't need a memory-wiping microchip to explore Bell Works. Open to the public, visitors can wander the same hallways, admire the towering glass facade, and even grab a coffee, just an hour from New York City.

Despite its modern reincarnation, the eerie familiarity lingers for "Severance" fans. The mid-century architecture and sterile corporate atmosphere create the unsettling feeling that Lumon Industries might be lurking just beneath the surface.

More Than Just a Building: A Step into the "Severance" Universe

Bell Works provides an unparalleled immersive experience for fans. You can stand where Mark stood, walk the halls where Helly walked, and experience the unsettling grandeur of Lumon Industries – minus the severance procedure, of course.

And thankfully, when you leave, you'll retain every memory of your visit.