MetTel, NY Telecom Firm, Among Three New Tenants at Bell Works

Interior of Bell Works atrium space, Holmdel, NJ

HOLMDEL, NJ—Somerset Development says it has entered leases with three companies at the Bell Works mixed-use development in Holmdel, NJ, including the New York City-based communications solutions provider MetTel , which last month was designated as a recipient of Grow NJ tax incentives predicated on its signing a lease at the redeveloped Bell Laboratories property. As previously reported by GlobeSt.com, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority granted MetTel about $400,000 in tax credits for a 10-year term. Another firm, Matawan-based iCIMS , a software services company specializing in applicant-tracking software for human resources professionals, was granted $3.8 million over 10 years, but has not yet announced a signed lease at the iconic birthplace of digital technology. Beginning later this year, MetTel will occupy 26,000 square-feet at the complex, which will serve as an expansion from its New York headquarters and a gateway to other major markets on the eastern seaboard. The company will be joined by fellow new lessees etherFax and Springboard Public Relations , which will share a 2,500-square foot space. “Given our technology and telecom specialization, Bell Works offered an ideal office environment to expand our business and attract top talent,” Domenick Cilea, president of Springboard , tells GlobeSt.com exclusively . “The building has vast history and is symbolic of New Jersey’s innovation and worldwide technology contributions. We are excited to be a part of this building’s evolution.” “This trio of new occupants, highlighted by an established New York City-based firm, speaks to the momentum that we’ve seen with businesses establishing roots here in Holmdel,” says Holmdel Mayor Eric Hinds . “It’s a testament to this unique environment’s appeal for modern, growing companies on either side of the Hudson River.” MetTel , a provider of customized, integrated and managed communications solutions for enterprises, will join a growing technology ecosystem at Bell Works . The company will occupy space alongside cloud-based business management and fleet management solutions company WorkWave , national audiovisual company McCann Systems and publicly traded multi-platform technology firm NVIDIA Corporation , all of which signed leases for their own spaces over recent months. “Given MetTel’s corporate mission stems from innovation and the Bell Works space in Holmdel is paving the way for a new generation of work places, we’re excited to officially become part of the community,” says Marshall Aronow , CEO of MetTel . “We’ve seen significant growth over the past year alone, including opening offices in Washington, DC, and Providence, RI, and this office will be home to forty employees by the end of the year. The new location will provide ample space for our growing customer service, network operations and support teams.” Under Somerset’s $200 million redevelopment plan for Bell Works , businesses will be connected around a pedestrian “street” within the building’s existing quarter-mile long atrium. The open promenade area will connect tenants and visitors to a range of dining and entertainment venues, health and wellness services, renovated office space and educational facilities, a hotel and conference center for both employees and visitors. The space is also designed to host community, cultural and business events ranging from art exhibitions and farmers’ markets to industry conferences. “ MetTel is just the latest example that our unique approach to revitalizing Bell Works is attracting the best and brightest in the technology arena,” says Somerset Development president Ralph Zucker . “With an impressive and ever-expanding roster of tenants, we are transforming this property into a premier destination for a growing community here in New Jersey.” The Garibaldi Group’s Jeff Garibaldi , president, Kyle Mahoney , associate vice president and Tara Keating Freeman , vice president, represented Somerset Development in the leases as Bell Works’ exclusive office leasing agency. Garibaldi also represented MetTel, etherFax and Springboard Public Relations in their agreements. “More and more employers are searching for venues that will combine their needs with employees’ desire for a walkable, urban-style setting,” says Jeff Garibaldi . “For them, Bell Works is the perfect fit.” MetTel, etherFax, Springboard and other recent arrivals join a number of commercial tenants already occupying the complex, including Spirent Communications , an international telecommunications firm, Acacia Communications , a recognized optical transmissions manufacturer, and Suttons International , a worldwide logistics company. Previously, Somerset announced a lease agreement with Symbolic IO , a data storage company which recently emerged from “stealth mode” to launch its innovative product offering this spring. The building is also home to vi Collaboration Hub , a coworking space and networking group for technology companies and innovators in the region. Vi is occupying building’s first pre-built units, which are fully furnished and designed by New York City-based NPZ Design . Originally constructed between 1962 and 1964 by world-renowned modernist architect Eero Saarinen , the building is revered for its role in spurring the development of some of the world’s foremost inventions and research concepts. In an exclusive video interview with GlobeSt.com last year, Somerset’s Zucker called the property “the Jerusalem of technology.” In its 40-plus year history as the research headquarters for Bell Laboratories, Lucent, and Alcatel-Lucent , the building housed a total of seven Nobel Prize winners, who conceived theories for the laser, the Big Bang theory, cellular technology, the transistor, and more. Somerset Development selected the internationally renowned Alexander Gorlin Architects to serve as the lead architect for the redevelopment. The firm, which specializes in a wide range of projects including historically significant, adaptive reuse developments, is overseeing the execution of programming and restoration for Bell Works’ public and common area spaces. ALM Real Estate Media, the parent of GlobeSt.com, will be holding its 2016 RealShare New Jersey Conference at Bell Works on September 14. More information on the conference is here. In addition to the redevelopment of the former Bell Labs facility, the approved plan for the site allows for residential, recreational and open space uses outside the building, including the development of up to 40 single-family homes and 185 age-restricted townhomes, as well as a field house for sports. Toll Brothers , the country’s leading developer of luxury residential communities, is in contract with Somerset for the purchase of land outside the building to construct the development’s residential component. Situated along Crawfords Corner Road, Bell Works is approximately one mile from Exit 114 of the Garden State Parkway . Its central New Jersey location provides easy access to points north and south. Correction, 7/7/16: An earlier version of this story omitted mention of the RealShare New Jersey Conference being held at Bell Works on September 14.