Your Outie Loves Adventure—And a Visit to the Real-Life Lumon Building
Your outie prefers the aisle seat, avoids barefoot flyers, and never backs down from an adventure. And if you're based near New York City, your next adventure might be closer than you think—visiting the real-life Lumon building from Severance.
If you're reading this, chances are you already know what an "outie" is. But if you haven't watched Severance—arguably one of the best TV shows in recent years—let's catch you up. In the show, employees of the mysterious Lumon Industries undergo a procedure that "severs" their consciousness, creating two distinct identities: one for work (innies) and one for the outside world (outies).
Lumon's headquarters, with its unsettlingly pristine hallways and eerie corporate atmosphere, is a character in its own right. And if you're a true fan, you can see it in person—just head to New Jersey.
The building used for Lumon’s exterior and lobby scenes is Bell Works, located in Holmdel, New Jersey. Originally designed by architect Eero Saarinen, it opened in 1962 as the research hub for Bell Labs, where scientists worked on groundbreaking technologies like microwaves and cell phones. After being abandoned in 2007, the space was revived in 2013 by developer Ralph Zucker, who transformed it into a bustling commercial hub.
Now, Bell Works has become a pilgrimage site for Severance fans. Zucker told Curbed that while the building has also appeared in American Horror Story and Emergence, Severance has drawn an unparalleled number of visitors.
“I have heard that we have a lot more people coming in and taking pictures of themselves in the space," Zucker shared. "We have a whole team that works on social media, and they’re inundated.”
So, if you're eager to step into the world of Lumon Industries—without the risk of being severed—Bell Works awaits.