Bell Labs Holmdel Complex

"Bell Works" redirects here. For information on other Bell Laboratory facilities, see Bell Labs.
Bell Works
Aerial view of Bell Labs in 2008
Map
General information
Architectural styleMid-Century Modern
LocationHolmdel Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Address101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, New Jersey[1]
Coordinates40°21′54″N 74°10′2″W / 40.36500°N 74.16722°W / 40.36500; -74.16722
Construction started1959[2]
Completed1962[3]
OwnerSomerset Development d/b/a Bell Works
Technical details
Floor count6
Floor area2,000,000 square feet (190,000 m2)[4]
Grounds472.69 acres (1.9129 km2)[5]
Design and construction
Architect(s)Eero Saarinen[6]
Other designersSasaki, Walker & Associates[7]
Awards and prizes1967 Laboratory of the year
Website
www.bell.works
Bell Laboratories-Holmdel
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex is located in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex is located in New Jersey
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex is located in the United States
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex
NRHP reference No.16000223[8]
NJRHP No.4771[9]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 26, 2017
Designated NJRHPMarch 8, 2016

The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex, in Holmdel Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, functioned for 44 years as a research and development facility, initially for the Bell System and later Bell Labs.[3] The centerpiece of the campus is an Eero Saarinen–designed structure that served as the home to over 6,000 engineers and researchers.[4] This modernist building, dubbed "The Biggest Mirror Ever" by Architectural Forum, due to its mirror box exterior, was the site of a Nobel Prize discovery, the laser cooling work of Steven Chu.[1][10]

The building has undergone renovations into a multi-purpose living and working space, dubbed Bell Works by its redevelopers. Since 2013 it has been operated by Somerset Development, who redeveloped the building into a mixed-use office for high-tech startup companies.[11] The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.[9] A number of movies, television programs, and commercials have been filmed at Bell Works, including Severance, The Crowded Room, and Law & Order: Organized Crime.[12]

  1. ^ a b Emrich, Ron (August 2008). "Bell Laboratories, Holmdel, New Jersey". The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  2. ^ "Big Research Unit Started". NYT. 1959-08-27. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  3. ^ a b Ganapati, Priya (2008-08-28). "Once Mighty Bell Labs Leaves Behind Transistor, Laser, 6 Nobels". Wired. CondéNet. Archived from the original on 24 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  4. ^ a b Martin, Antoinette (2006-06-14). "Pastoral Site of Historic Inventions Faces the End". NYT. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  5. ^ http://www.holmdeltownship-nj.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/340 BellWorks_Redevelopment Plan - link triggers PDF download
  6. ^ "EERO SAARINEN, 51, ARCHITECT, IS DEAD; Versatile Designer Created Terminal for T.W.A. Here and Embassies for U.S. DISCIPLE OF HIS FATHER Received Many Awards-Worked With Mielziner on Lincoln Center Theater". NYT. 1961-09-02. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  7. ^ Dunlap, David (2008-03-02). "The Office as Architectural Touchstone". NYT. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  8. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. February 12, 2018. p. 6.
  10. ^ Rensberger, Boyce (1972-02-20). "Where Science Grows Miracles". NYT. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  11. ^ De Poto, Tom (September 16, 2013). "Bell Labs site's new owner outlines plans for next 'experiment' in Holmdel". nj.com. North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  12. ^ "Bell Works | New Jersey | Film @ Bell Works". Work, Shop, Play | Inspired Real Estate. Retrieved 2024-05-24.