Vivid Society NY

by KMR

The Apple TV+ series Severance was shot at a range of impressive locations, mainly in New York and New Jersey, with some spots in Canada for its second season. These authentic settings are vital in creating the unsettling, dystopian atmosphere of Lumon Industries and the fictional town of Kier.

The Bell Works building in Holmdel, New Jersey, is the most recognizable location, serving as both the exterior and interior of the Lumon Industries headquarters. Designed in 1958 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, this modernist building was once home to over 6,000 engineers and researchers as part of the Bell Labs Holmdel Complex. Its sleek glass facade and expansive, symmetrical design perfectly convey the sterile, imposing feel of the show’s corporate environment. After undergoing renovations in 2013, it was transformed into a mixed-use space for startups, but its extensive corridors and retro-futuristic ambiance made it an ideal substitute for Lumon. The Bell Works building is open to the public, for more information: https://bell.works/new-jersey/explore/

In New York, the Hudson Valley served as the setting for many of Kier’s pivotal scenes. Mark Scout’s tranquil suburban neighborhood was captured at the Village Gate Townhouses in Nyack, Rockland County, roughly 27 miles from New York City. This contemporary residential area, constructed between 1986 and 1993, exudes a somber, secluded atmosphere that matches the show’s mood. Close by, the Wurts Street Bridge, also known as the Kingston–Port Ewen Suspension Bridge, located in Ulster County, is featured as Mark drives home. This steel bridge, dating back to 1921, was undergoing restoration during filming, contributing to the feeling of a deteriorating, controlled environment.

In the Hudson Valley area, Beacon was used for downtown scenes, with storefronts such as the Beacon Building on Main Street transformed into the Hall of Records. In Kingston, Season 2 featured a car chase on Cornell Street, and storefronts on Broadway were altered, like “Kier Uniforms Co.,” in March 2023. The vintage Phoenicia Diner in Ulster County became Pip’s Bar and Grille, while the Hudson House in Nyack was used as a date location for Mark and Alexa.

In Season 2, the production team explored more natural environments beyond the office setting. Episode 4’s Outdoor Retreat Team Building Occurrence (ORTBO) was filmed at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, roughly two and a half hours north of New York City. Locations such as Sam’s Point, Lake Minnewaska—with its waterfall—and Peterskill offered snowy woods and rough landscapes, providing a stark contrast to the sterile interiors of Lumon. Furthermore, scenes depicting the fictional “Salt’s Neck” were shot in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, along the Bonavista Peninsula. This included towns like Bonavista, Keels, and Port Union in May 2023. The rugged, remote coastal area contributed a stark, weathered atmosphere to Harmony Cobel’s backstory.

The filming extended to various New York locations, including the Pietro Drive neighborhood in Yonkers and soundstages for certain indoor scenes. The combination of mid-century architecture, corporate campuses, and stark natural landscapes unifies these sites, amplifying the show’s eerie storyline. From the stifling symmetry of Bell Works to the haunting allure of Minnewaska, these settings serve as more than mere backdrops—they become integral characters in the narrative.

For more information on LUMON: https://lumon.industries/

For more information on the show: https://tinyurl.com/severancetheshowonapple

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