Somerset Development recently opened Bar Bella atop its flagship Bell Works complex in Holmdel. — Courtesy: Somerset Development
By Joshua Burd
Somerset Development has opened a new rooftop bar at its flagship Bell Works complex in Holmdel, marking the latest amenity at the 2 million-square-foot mixed-use property.
The outdoor venue, known as Bar Bella, features an array of seating options, greenery and fire pits, with the option for guests to order food from eateries in the property’s indoor retail corridor. Bell Works Creative Director Paola Zamudio and her team at NPZ Style+Décor designed the space, which is meant to evoke a coastal Italian getaway atop the iconic former Bell Labs campus.
“As more people return to the office and spring comes into full swing, it’s the perfect time to introduce a new outdoor destination for the metroburb and surrounding community,” said Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development. “We’re certain that Bar Bella is going to be a wonderful place to enjoy an after-work drink or a weekend celebration with friends in a one-of-a-kind setting.”
Bar Bella marked its grand opening on May 13 and will be open Wednesdays from 1 to 10 PM and Thursdays through Saturdays from 4 to 10 PM, according to a news release. Bell Works has also partnered with Axelrod Performing Arts Center to offer live performances in the space during the summer, including artists such as Remember Jones, The Weeklings and The Doo Wop Project, according to a news release.
“Bar Bella is a destination to enjoy summery drinks, vibey tunes and a beautiful atmosphere,” Zamudio said. “We have curated a unique experience for the Bell Works community and beyond: a taste of paradise right in the heart of Holmdel.”
Somerset Development has spent more than a decade repurposing and revitalizing the former Bell Labs research headquarters, which sits on Crawfords Corner Road, about a mile from the Garden State Parkway. Anchored by a 120,000-square-foot, quarter-mile-long atrium, the property today is a mixed-use, indoor community with thousands of daily office workers and a host of retailers and service providers.
