Bell Works—The Real-Life Lumon Industries
If you’ve been captivated by Severance’s eerie, dystopian world, you might be wondering where Lumon Industries actually exists in real life. While the first season and second season of this workplace thriller showcase a sterile, corporate environment where employees have their personal lives severed from their work selves, the filming locations bring this unsettling atmosphere to life.
One of the most striking Severance filming locations is Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey—formerly the Bell Labs Holmdel Complex. Once a renowned development facility, this iconic building has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind destination for business and culture. Still, it remains deeply connected to its scientific and architectural history.
From the Lumon Industries building exterior shots to key interior scenes, Bell Works plays a crucial role in crafting the chilling yet mesmerizing world of Severance.
Why Bell Works Was Chosen as a Severance Filming Location
The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex, originally designed by Eero Saarinen, has a distinct dystopian vibe that perfectly aligns with series creator Dan Erickson’s vision. The building’s modernist architecture, long hallways, and vast working spaces set the tone for the severed floor, where characters like Mark Scout (starring Adam Scott), Dylan George (Zach Cherry), Irving Bailiff (John Turturro), and Burt Goodman (Christopher Walken) navigate their eerie corporate existence.
The production team, including executive producer Ben Stiller and production designer Jeremy Hindle, transformed Bell Works into Lumon Industries, making the interior scenes feel claustrophobic while maintaining the greatness of the Lumon Industries building.
Key Severance Filming Locations at Bell Works
1. The Atrium – The Grand Entrance of Lumon Industries
One of the most recognizable Severance filming locations is the Bell Works atrium, which serves as the imposing Lumon Industries building entrance. This vast working space, with its towering glass façade, can be seen in both the first season and the new season that was recently released on Friday, January 17.
Fans will recognize Adam Scott’s Mark Scout walking through this space as he enters his mysterious corporate life. This filming location is a perfect example of how Bell Works’ open-concept design contrasts with the tight, labyrinthine severed floor.
2. The Exterior – The Iconic Lumon Industries Building
The exterior scenes of Lumon Industries prominently feature Bell Works. The Holmdel Complex’s striking glass and steel structure stands in for the Lumon Industries building, making it an instantly recognizable Severance filming location.
Additionally, the long tree-lined driveway leading to the building—complete with the iconic water tower—appears multiple times throughout the series, heightening the sense of isolation surrounding Mark, Dylan, Irving, and Helly (Britt Lower) as they enter their disconnected corporate world.
3. The Hallways – The Maze of Lumon’s Severed Floor
While many of the severed floor interior scenes were filmed on a soundstage, Bell Works provided the perfect backdrop for transition shots and establishing visuals of Lumon Industries. The building’s long, geometric hallways and sleek modernist design helped create the illusion of Lumon’s vast, maze-like office space.
The production team expertly blended real locations at Bell Works with studio-built sets to achieve the show’s distinct aesthetic. Fans will recognize exterior shots, wide hallway sequences, and key establishing scenes filmed at Bell Works, seamlessly integrated with the constructed Lumon interiors.
4. The Lobby – A Portal Between Work and the Outside World
The Bell Works lobby serves as a crucial Severance filming location, appearing in multiple scenes throughout the series. It represents the moment when employees enter Lumon, unknowingly transitioning into their severed state.
The building’s grand scale further emphasizes Lumon’s power over its workforce.
How Bell Works Compares to Other Severance Locations
While Bell Works serves as the primary filming location, other Severance locations include:
- Baird Creek Manor (Selvig’s house)
- Village Gate and Village Gateway (exterior shots)
- Wurts Street Bridge and Port Ewen Suspension Bridge near the Hudson River
- Phoenicia Diner (featured in a key scene where Mark finds an unsettling clue)
However, Bell Works remains the most iconic Severance filming location, as it houses Lumon Industries, the heart of the show’s mystery.
Visit a Severance Filming Location at Bell Works
If you’re a Severance fan and want to step into Lumon Industries, you can visit Bell Works New Jersey. While you won’t find Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) or Devon Scout Hale (Jen Tullock) wandering the halls, you can explore the filming locations defining the show’s eerie aesthetic.
Plan Your Visit to Bell Works
- Walk through the Lumon Industries building entrance (aka the Bell Works atrium).
- See the water tower and Holmdel Complex driveway, as featured in both seasons.
- Visit the lobby and hallways, where many interior scenes were shot.
Whether you’re a fan of the first season or excited for the new season, Bell Works offers a unique opportunity to step inside one of television’s most visually stunning sets.
Bell Works – The Real Star of Severance
While Severance is filled with brilliant performances from Adam Scott, John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Christopher Walken, the filming locations—especially Bell Works— also set the tone for its unsettling atmosphere.
With its modernist design, massive glass walls, and stark hallways, Bell Works New Jersey is more than just a filming location—it’s an integral part of the Severance experience.
But beyond its role in television, Bell Works New Jersey is a thriving Metroburb—a one-of-a-kind destination offering:
- Flexible Office & Coworking Spaces – A dynamic workspace for businesses, entrepreneurs, and hybrid workers.
- Shopping – A variety of stores offering everything from fashion to essentials.
- Dining & Cafés – A selection of restaurants and cafés perfect for lunch breaks or after-work gatherings.
- Event Spaces – Host corporate events, private gatherings, weddings, and more in a unique, architecturally stunning environment.
- Wellness & Fitness – Fitness centers, wellness services, and open spaces designed for work-life balance.
Whether you’re visiting as a Severance fan or exploring what Bell Works New Jersey has to offer, this iconic location is more than just a filming set—it’s a vibrant hub for work, play, and innovation.
Plan your visit to Bell Works New Jersey today!