Bell Works, a midcentury office building turned tourist attraction in New Jersey, has become an unlikely star of the hit Apple TV+ series “Severance.” The building’s eerie emptiness and sleek design caught the attention of director of photography Jessica Lee Gagné, who used it as the real-life inspiration for Lumon Industries, the corporation at the center of the show.
Built in 1958 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, Bell Works was designed to foster creative interactions among its 6,000 researchers. The building features a unique design with mirrored glass walls and internal walkways, but critics have argued that it falls short of its social aspirations.
Today, the building has undergone significant renovations and now serves as a mixed-use complex with shops, restaurants, and offices. Fans of the show have turned Bell Works into a tourist destination, visiting the building’s iconic atrium and exploring its unique features.
For “Severance” creators, Bell Works provides a striking visual representation of the corporate culture that inspires the show’s themes. Director Jessica Lee Gagné notes that the building’s opaque facade reflects the characters’ inner turmoil, adding depth to the show’s narrative.
As fans continue to flock to Bell Works, the building remains an important part of its own history, from its days as a hub for groundbreaking research in telecommunications to its current status as a cultural icon.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/realestate/severance-lumon-industries-building-bell-labs.html