O’Scanlon, DiMaso Move Legislative Offices Into Bell Works

HOLMDEL, NJ — The newest tenant at Bell Works has just been announced: State Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso opened their new constituent offices on the third floor this week.

Bell Works was built between 1962 and 1964 by world-renowned modernist architect Eero Saarinen. Throughout the '60s, '70s and '80s, it was the original headquarters for Bell Laboratories, Lucent and Alcatel-Lucent. The building housed a total of seven Nobel Prize winners, including those who conceived theories for the laser, the Big Bang theory, cellular technology, the transistor radio and more.

Now, the incredibly historic facility is a fast-growing "metroburb" set amidst Holmdel's rolling countryside.

O’Scanlon and DiMaso, both Republicans representing Legislative District 13, will utilize their shared Bell Works offices as a new, centralized headquarters for their constituent services. The offices will be supported by five legislative staff members.

Both state representatives were elected to new positions in 2018. Senator O’Scanlon is a former Assemblyman and member of the Joint Budget Oversight committee, while Assemblywoman DiMaso is a former member of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and mayor of Holmdel Township.

“We’re thrilled to make Bell Works our new home as we represent our constituents in District 13. Being able to share this inspiring space alongside private-sector technological giants and innovative co-working offices can’t help but inspire our creativity,” said O’Scanlon. “It also serves as a spectacular public space for our constituents. We are incredibly thankful to the community here at Bell Works and Somerset Development for being so welcoming, and look forward to making this our home for years to come.”

Ralph Zucker is the CEO of Somerset Development. A few years ago, he set out on the ambitious plan to renovate the aging Bell Labs facility and reinvent it as Bell Works, a thriving hub for technology companies, private businesses, the Holmdel library, the Holmdel Montessori school, a high-end hair salon and a hotel.

“Having been involved with Bell Works since my time as Mayor of Holmdel, moving to this iconic, reimagined building represents an amazing opportunity for my office," DiMaso said. "There are multiple spaces and services within Bell Works that will allow us to hold new events for our residents. While many doubted the vision Ralph and Somerset Development put forth, they have been able to make Bell Works into an incredible destination that I am honored to be a part of."

Prominent tenants at Bell Labs now include: Guardian Life Insurance, a NYC-based insurance giant, anchor tenant iCIMS, a leading provider of innovative Software-as-a-service (SaaS) talent acquisition solutions company, and WorkWave, a cloud-based business management and fleet management solutions company.

Bell Works also has a publicly accessible ‘pedestrian street,' offering a host of dining, retail, and community resources, echoing the experience of a vibrant urban downtown.

Bell Works has also started construction on a 200-room hotel on the building’s roof. Overlooking Bell Works’ sprawling grounds, the hotel will include an infinity pool, expansive lounge area, restaurant and rooftop bar.

Top photo from inside the Bell Works atrium, by Carly Baldwin/Holmdel Patch