Mancini•Duffy Tapped to Create “Living” Interior Master Plan for Somerset Development’s Two Million Square-Foot Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ

Cohesive Vision for Adaptive Reuse of Historic and Architectural Landmark 

Mancini•Duffy, a leading architectural and interiors practice, has been retained by Somerset Development to create a master plan for the interior design of Bell Works that will provide cohesion for the iconic adaptive reuse development in Holmdel, New Jersey.  Christian Giordano, Principal and President, Director of Architecture at Mancini•Duffy, working with lead redevelopment architect Alexander Gorlin Architects, will spearhead the initiative, which will serve as a guiding blueprint for future developments, leasing practices, overall building renovations and tenant development plans at Bell Works. Mr. Giordano is joined by Alan Dandron, Principal, and Bill Mandara, Principal, also of Mancini•Duffy, who lend a combined 60 years of expertise to the assignment.

Formerly named Bell Labs, the Bell Works facility is currently undergoing a $100-million adaptive reuse redevelopment, the eventual result of which will be a modern, mixed-use complex. Originally designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen in 1962 as the headquarters of Bell Laboratories, the complex was constructed over a two year period, between 1962 and 1964, and was upgraded in 1982. In its new iteration, Somerset’s vision includes a pedestrian promenade within the building’s existing atrium that will serve as the central gathering space while connecting tenants and visitors to a host of dining, entertainment, and health and wellness services. The new property will also feature high-end retail and restaurants, high-quality office space, state-of-the-art health and wellness facilities, educational space, and a hotel with a conference center.

In addition to the creation of an interior master plan for the historic complex, Mancini•Duffy will also be reconfiguring the building’s various cores and infrastructure to accommodate the most efficient layouts for use by corporate tenants. The Garibaldi Group and M. Wilk Consulting serve as the exclusive office and retail leasing agents for Bell Works, respectively.

“It’s an honor to bring such a historic building designed by a truly iconic architect to the next stage of its life cycle. We are eager to begin work on the facility and play a vital role in its transformation,” said Giordano. “This extensive space has a fascinating past and even brighter future, and its presence will offer a great many opportunities to the businesses in and around Holmdel, which also happens to be the area in which I spent my formative years.”

Mancini•Duffy will also be involved in the building’s future, providing architectural services for tenants including visioning and programming, test fits, design development, construction documentation and construction administration. The firm has been retained to present area block outs and renderings to assist in attracting future tenants to the finished space.

Somerset Development selected internationally recognized architecture firm, Alexander Gorlin Architects, to serve as the lead architect for the redevelopment of the facility. The firm, which specializes in a wide range of projects including historically significant, adaptive reuse developments, will oversee the execution of programming, re-branding and restoration for Bell Works’ public and common area spaces.