The eerie, minimalist office space from the popular Apple TV+ series, Severance, has captured the imagination of viewers around the world. The concept of “work-life balance” is taken to its extreme in the show, where employees’ memories are severed between work and personal life, creating an unsettling environment within a stark, featureless office. But what if you could step into this world in real life? The answer lies just one hour outside of New York City, where the real-life Lumon office building awaits visitors.
Real-Life Lumon Building: A Marvel of Modernist Architecture
The real-world location that inspired the Severance office is a sleek and minimalist building located in North Jersey. Known as the Bell Works building, this architectural marvel was designed by the famous architect Eero Saarinen in the 1960s. Though originally intended as a corporate headquarters for Bell Labs, it shares the same clean lines and overwhelming sense of sterility that we see in the fictional Lumon office.
Visitors to the building are struck by the vast, open spaces, rows of glass windows, and the uncanny resemblance to the Severance set. The building’s distinctive round shape and sprawling interior spaces have led it to be featured in various films and TV shows, including Severance. Its ultra-modern, almost dystopian style makes it the perfect setting for a show about a high-tech company with a strange, cult-like culture.
Severance Location: Where Fiction Meets Reality?
While the Lumon office may feel like an entirely fictional world, the real-life Severance location, in terms of architecture, is a blend of futuristic elements and historical significance. The Bell Works building has served as a prime location for the production of Severance, and its unique design mirrors the show’s eerie corporate world perfectly. With its long corridors, expansive, open-air spaces, and strange, almost sterile atmosphere, it offers an ideal backdrop to explore the dystopian themes of the show.
For fans of the series, the location is not just a place of curiosity but a living, breathing extension of the show’s atmosphere. The building has even become a popular destination for those looking to experience the world of Severance firsthand, offering tours and opportunities to walk through the same halls where the show’s characters are seen in their drab office environment.
Exploring the Real-Life Lumon Office: A Must-See for Fans
Located in Holmdel, New Jersey, the real-life Lumon office building offers a fascinating and eerie peek into the world of Severance. The Bell Works building is now home to a variety of businesses and even a café, but its cinematic presence continues to draw attention. Visitors can stroll through its vast open floors, marvel at the minimalist design, and get a sense of the cold, clinical feeling that the Severance Building captures so well.
Though you might not be able to experience the full corporate mind-warp of the show, the real-life Lumon office building remains one of the most iconic filming locations from the series. It’s an architectural treasure that mixes past and future, and its ability to evoke a sense of both nostalgia and unease has made it a must-visit location for fans.
A Fascinating Blend of Fiction and Reality
The real-life Lumon building, with its stark, imposing structure, offers visitors a glimpse into the world of Severance while simultaneously reminding us of architecture’s role in shaping our emotions and perceptions of space. With its eerie yet captivating ambiance, the Bell Works building is a living testament to the show’s unsettling world, offering a real-world connection to the darkly futuristic workplace that Severance brings to life.
For fans of Severance, the opportunity to explore this striking building provides a unique opportunity to step into the heart of the series and experience the cold, corporate reality of the Lumon office firsthand. Whether you’re a fan of architecture, the show, or simply enjoy exploring unusual locations, the Bell Works building is a fascinating destination to consider.
