Step Into the World of Severance: Visit the Real-Life Lumon Building in New Jersey

If you’re a fan of Severance, the mind-bending Apple TV+ series that has taken the world by storm, you already know about the eerie, labyrinthine headquarters of Lumon Industries. But did you know you can visit the real-life building that serves as the show’s chilling backdrop? Just a short trip from New York City, the Bell Works building in Holmdel, New Jersey, is where the fictional Lumon comes to life.

Photo: courtesy of Bell Works

Originally designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen and opened in 1962 as the home of Bell Labs, this mid-century marvel was once a hub of groundbreaking innovation. Researchers here developed technologies like cellular communications, lasers, and fiber optics. After falling into disuse in 2007, the building was revitalized in 2013 by developer Ralph Zucker and transformed into a mixed-use space for offices, shops, and events.

Today, Bell Works is a thriving community, but its sleek, geometric design and imposing presence make it the perfect stand-in for Lumon Industries. The show’s creators took full advantage of the building’s striking atrium, long hallways, and glass-walled offices to create the cold, corporate dystopia that fans have come to love (and fear).

Since Severance premiered, Bell Works has seen a surge in visitors eager to snap photos and experience the real-life setting of their favorite show. TikTokers and Instagrammers flock to the building, posting videos with captions like, “Come with us to get severed at Lumon!” The building’s social media team has reportedly been inundated with inquiries and tags from fans.

But before you pack your bags, there’s one important thing to know: Bell Works is not a tourist attraction. It’s a working office space, and visitors are asked to be respectful of the people who work there. While you can explore the public areas, like the stunning atrium and outdoor spaces, the upper levels are off-limits. As one fan joked, “They don’t let cameras onto the severed floor.”

Ralph Zucker, the developer behind Bell Works, has embraced the building’s newfound fame. He notes that while Severance portrays the space as cold and lifeless, the reality is quite the opposite. “We’re literally teeming with life,” he told Curbed. The building’s vibrant atmosphere, with its pops of color and bustling activity, stands in stark contrast to the sterile, oppressive world of Lumon.

Photo: Courtesy of Bell Works

Bell Works isn’t new to the spotlight. It has served as a filming location for other shows like American Horror Story and Emergence, as well as the 2023 film Jules. But Severance has brought a new level of attention, thanks to its unique premise and cult following. The show explores the dark side of corporate culture, with employees undergoing a “severance” procedure that splits their memories between work (“innies”) and personal life (“outies”). The building’s architecture plays a key role in creating the show’s unsettling tone.

For architecture enthusiasts, Bell Works is a masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Saarinen envisioned the building as a space that would foster collaboration and innovation, with labs arranged around the perimeter to offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The central atrium, with its walkways and natural light, was designed to encourage chance encounters and creative thinking.

But not everyone found the building inspiring. Some former Bell Labs scientists described it as “chilly” and overly formal compared to its more humble predecessors. Yet, there’s no denying its impact. As Jon Gertner, author of The Idea Factory, explains, Bell Works was a monument to a bygone era of corporate ambition and scientific exploration.

Today, Bell Works stands as a symbol of both utopia and dystopia—a place where innovation and creativity thrive, but also a setting that evokes the eerie, controlled world of Severance. Whether you’re a fan of the show, an architecture buff, or just curious about this iconic building, a visit to Bell Works is a journey into the heart of a modern legend.

So, if you’re in the New York area, why not take a trip to Holmdel and see the real-life Lumon for yourself? Just remember: no severance procedure required.