WorkWave Officially Moves Into Bell Works, Its New Home

HOLMDEL, NJ — Something historic is happening at the Bell Works site in Holmdel: Companies are moving in. Thanks to collaboration between private businesses, local government and site owner Somerset Development — plus a steady diet of hefty tax breaks from the state — more and more businesses are choosing to set up shop at the former Bell Labs behemoth.

Bell Works' first major commercial tenant moved in Wednesday. WorkWave, LLC hosted an official office ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of their new space, with Holmdel Mayor Greg Buontempo, Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos (R) and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) president Tim Lizura all in attendance. Several smaller tech firms have operated out of Bell Works for a few years now, but WorkWave is its first major, large-scale employer.

WorkWave, which provides cloud-based software solutions, now runs out of a 72,000-square-foot space at the former Bell Labs site. They have the option to expand another 72,000 square feet in the coming years. Their office includes meeting and collaboration spaces, quiet areas for unwinding and even a recreation room with basketball hoops, ping pong tables and gaming areas.

WorkWave was granted a $15.7 million tax break from the EDA in return for moving into Bell Works. In return, the company said it would create 247 new jobs and retain 154 jobs that were at-risk of leaving New Jersey. The total headcount of WorkWave employees at Bell Works is currently 222.

“WorkWave is ecstatic to finally move to our new home at the iconic Bell Works facility,” said Chris Sullens, WorkWave CEO and president. “The tech hub atmosphere is vibrant, and is the perfect place to continue to grow and attract talented employees who are looking for a creative and inspiring work environment without the hour-plus-long commute.”

Holmdel and the state of New Jersey are eager for more companies to follow suit. iCIMS, Inc., a software services firm that currently operates in two locations out of Matawan, was approved for a 10-year, $38 million tax credit by the state, provided they relocate. Earlier this spring, the state also OK'd a 10-year, $4 million tax credit to Manhattan Telecommunication Corporation, if the company moves into Bell Works. They were formerly weighing a move to Utah.

Next up, the Holmdel public library will also be relocating to the Bell Works complex, and should be in its new, 17,000-square-foot location before the year is over. Jersey Central Power and Light has also announced plans to relocate its headquarters from Red Bank to Bell Works next summer; they've already partly moved in. And Toll Brothers started construction on 225 units of luxury housing at Bell Works as well. At least five other smaller companies have already signed leases at Bell Works, most of them technology companies.

Looking for a job? WorkWave will host its next Career Fair on June 22, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. in their new home. More information and registration is available at bit.ly/careersworkwave.

Bell Works is the former Bell Labs complex, the 2-million-square-foot building — the length of three football fields — that once housed Bell Labs, AT&T and Alcatel Lucent.

Photo credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bell_Labs_Holmdel.jpg/Wikimedia Commons