Bell Works in Holmdel — Courtesy: Somerset Development
By Joshua Burd
The complex now known as Bell Works has earned another national distinction — being named the most iconic building in New Jersey by Architectural Digest magazine.
Located in Holmdel, the 2 million-square-foot campus is the former home of Bell Labs and has been repositioned by Somerset Development as a mixed-use destination for office users, retail and community gathering. The developer has done so while paying homage to the building’s past as a hub for innovation and breakthroughs such as cellular technology and the transistor.
The ranking by Architectural Digest noted that Eero Saarinen designed the iconic campus. Alexander Gorlin Architects is now overseeing the top-down renovation, which revolves around a ground-floor, indoor pedestrian plaza that mimics a downtown boulevard.
To date, Somerset Development has leased more than 75 percent of its 1 million square feet of office space at Bell Works. Tenants include the technology firms iCIMS and WorkWave, which occupy 350,000 square feet and 72,000 square feet, respectively.
The developer is also repopulating the space with a broad mix of retailers, service providers and restaurants, along with community space such as the Holmdel Public Library.
Bell Works inks seven new retail leases for indoor pedestrian plaza
