By Stephen Appezzato
TINTON FALLS – Encouraged by the success of Bell Works in Holmdel, developer Inspired by Somerset Development (Inspired) recently announced plans to create another “metroburb,” located off Hope Road in Tinton Falls in the Commvault building.
The cybersecurity and data protection company built the 276,900-square-foot facility but decided to sell it after the move to pandemic-era remote work left the building partially empty. It will undergo a significant transformation under the Bell Works brand.
The real estate developer plans to turn the space into a mixed-use hub, offering flexible office spaces, collaborative coworking areas and a range of community-centered amenities.
“Having already developed in the Fort Monmouth area, acquiring this property to create a more intimate version of Bell Works is a natural next step for us,” said Ralph Zucker, president of Inspired, in an announcement of the building purchase. “Since the space was previously closed to the public, we look forward to collaborating with Commvault to reconfigure it, allowing residents of Tinton Falls and surrounding areas to enjoy the building’s extensive offerings, just like its tenants,” he said.
Responding to questions, a spokesperson said Inspired anticipates renovations will take five to six months. The project includes transforming the existing cafeteria into a food hall and modifying some spaces to accommodate retailers. The facility is expected to open to the public and begin tenant move-ins this fall.
The Commvault headquarters, which opened in 2014 as part of ongoing redevelopments on Fort Monmouth, was built to accommodate the company’s growth. It features modern infrastructure and an array of employee amenities, like open-concept workspaces, a fitness center, a cafeteria and outdoor areas. While the sale price of the building was not disclosed, according to media reports, a deal to sell the space last year, which fell through, was valued at $40 million.
Zucker said the company’s vision for the property aligns with the success of the Bell Works metroburb model, a concept that blends work, living and leisure in a community-driven environment.
“The design of Commvault’s headquarters is a perfect fit for the vision and ethos of the metroburb,” he said.
Reportedly, Inspired plans to preserve much of the building’s original design while introducing a flexible office model, modern amenities and community-centric public spaces. A key component of the redesign will be the addition of “ready-to-wear” office suites, which will be available for both short- and long-term leases, as well as coLab, which Inspired describes as a collaborative workspace membership program.
“Spaces of this caliber are often few and far between, especially in more suburban areas, which is why we look forward to entering the market with workplaces designed to inspire creativity and boost productivity,” said Sean Donohue, managing director of coLab.
According to Inspired, leasing of spaces in the building has already begun. Commvault will also remain a significant tenant, leasing about 75,000 square feet of office space.
The redeveloped campus will feature a range of amenities and small businesses, similar to Bell Works in Holmdel, including a variety of local restaurants, a Bell Market, a coffee shop, retail spaces and a health club.
In a release, Charles Terefenko, Tinton Falls borough administrator, said the borough is excited to see the “iconic property” retain its purpose as a hub for innovation under Inspired’s stewardship. “The Commvault headquarters is a landmark in Monmouth County, having played a significant role in our region’s business landscape,” he said. Citing Inspired’s “proven track record,” Terefenko said the borough is confident the building will “continue to serve as a vibrant center for both businesses and the community.”
The acquisition and redevelopment of the Commvault headquarters is the latest in a series of high-profile developments in the area by Inspired, which focuses on mixed-use and adaptive reuse projects. In 2023, it began construction on a three-story, 22-unit mixed-use development in downtown Long Branch on the former Inkwell Coffee House site. In 2024, Inspired started constructing its eight-story condominium development along Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park near the Wonder Bar.
The article originally appeared in the February 6 – 12, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
