Somerset Development aims to turn the once glorious Bell Labs headquarters into a mixed-used town center, Fortune reports.
Designed by Eero Saarinen in the late 1950s, the two-million-sf, steel-and-glass building was one of the best-funded and successful corporate research laboratories in the world.
According to Fortune, President of Somerset Development, Ralph Zucker, swooped in when he found out that a deal to sell the headquarters to Preferred Real Estate Investments, which was planning on demolishing the site, crumbled.
Because there isn’t much demand for massive office buildings, and Zucker has no interest in turning it into a museum, he is planning instead to convert the iconic structure into a vibrant town center filled with restaurants, shops, and offices.
“An urban oasis in the middle of the suburbs,” Zucker told Fortune. “As well as a monument to American ingenuity.”
Read the full story on Fortune.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Dec 1, 2016
Initial work on mixed-use development, The Parks at Walter Reed, is underway
The D.C. development is the product of a partnership between Hines, Urban Atlantic, and Triden Development Group.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 1, 2016
One of Canada’s largest media companies dives into real estate development
Rogers moves forward on M City, a multi-building, multi-year project in a Toronto suburb.
Office Buildings | Nov 15, 2016
Under Armour unveils phase one of 50-acre Baltimore headquarters
The campus will be located in Baltimore’s $5.5 billion Port Covington redevelopment project.
Mixed-Use | Nov 10, 2016
Terraced mixed-use development planned for Shanghai’s urban city ring
The development will be highly accessible and provide ‘humanism’ to the area.
Mixed-Use | Nov 8, 2016
Blue Star Accelerator program seeks to help early stage businesses in the technology, sports, and entertainment industries
Applications for the program are currently being accepted.
High-rise Construction | Nov 1, 2016
Winthrop Square will give rise to Boston’s second tallest building
The building will become the tallest residential tower in the city.
Mixed-Use | Oct 31, 2016
New Frank Gehry project on Sunset Boulevard moves forward with a few compromises
Among the compromises, the 8150 Sunset Blvd. project will see its tallest residential tower reduced by 56 feet.
Mixed-Use | Sep 27, 2016
10 Design wins competition to design huge mixed-use development in China
China Resources Land, New Fenghong Real Estate Development, and China Resources Trust have designated 50 billion yuan for the construction of the development.
High-rise Construction | Sep 12, 2016
Bangkok’s tallest tower is also one of its most unique
At 1,030 feet tall, MahaNakhon Tower’s height is only outdone by its arresting design.
Mixed-Use | Sep 9, 2016
Rolled book scroll-inspired mixed-use project from Aedas planned for Chongqing, China
With a bookstore at the heart of the development, the project looks to exemplify an ancient Chinese proverb that says “knowledge brings wealth.”
