The Office, a nine-season mockumentary comedy series, captivated audiences with its hilarious portrayal of office life. While the show was not filmed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where it is set, it managed to stay true to the city's geography. Let's dive into some of the iconic locations featured in the show.
Dunder Mifflin and Scranton Business Park
From the second season onwards, production of The Office was based at Chandler Valley Center Studios in Panorama City, just west of North Hollywood. The studio had two soundstages. Stage 1 served as the permanent set for the office, while the exterior of the Scranton Business Park, featured in most episodes, was located at the building housing Stage 2. This instantly recognizable exterior and parking lot became synonymous with the show's setting.
Image: The Office building
Dunder Mifflin - Season One
Interestingly, the first season of The Office was filmed on location at an actual office facility in Los Angeles. The building had the perfect office area and warehouse that the producers were looking for. Upon rewatching the first season, fans may notice that the building looks nothing like it does in the rest of the series.
Los Angeles Area Locations
While most episodes were filmed in the studio, certain episodes required shooting on location. As the production was based at Chandler Valley Studios in Panorama City, many location shoots took place in and around the greater Los Angeles area.
First Christian Church of North Hollywood
One memorable location was the First Christian Church of North Hollywood, where Phyllis married Bob Vance (of Vance Refrigeration) in season three. This church has also been featured in other famous shows like Young Sheldon, The Fosters, and 7th Heaven.
Image: First Christian Church of North Hollywood
Michael's Condo
In season two, Michael buys a condo, thinking he's getting a 10-year mortgage, only to discover it's a 10-years-fixed, 30-year total mortgage. He lives in the condo throughout his time on The Office, and it becomes a recurring location in the series. The condo is located at 7303 Bonnie Place in Reseda, within a gated community.
Image: The Office - Michael's Condo
Jim and Pam's House
Jim and Pam's house, where Jim grew up and eventually surprises Pam with as a gift, is located at 13831 Calvert Street in Van Nuys. Jim even converts the garage into an art studio for Pam. Fun fact: The production team paid a neighbor a few hundred dollars to briefly turn on a bedroom light for a scene in the episode "Broke," where Michael picks up Pam very early in the morning and unintentionally wakes the neighbors.
Image: Jim and Pam
Darryl's House
Darryl's house, featured in the episode "The Meeting," can be found at 14152 Emelita Street in Van Nuys. If you're curious to see more of it, check out Scott On Tape's video, where he visits the house with the actress who plays Darryl's sister.
Image: The Office - Darryl
These are just a few of the Los Angeles area locations that fans of The Office can explore. Each location adds depth and character to the show, making it even more enjoyable to watch.
New York City Locations
Throughout the series, The Office also took viewers on a journey to the bustling streets of New York City. Let's explore some of the significant locations filmed in the Big Apple.
Dunder Mifflin Head Office
Michael Scott had several visits to Dunder Mifflin's head office in New York City. While the interior scenes were filmed on the show's soundstages, a real office building in Midtown Manhattan, located at 1345 6th Avenue of the Americas, served as the exterior of the head office.
Image: Dunder Mifflin head office
Rockefeller Center
In the third-season episode "Valentine's Day," Michael explores New York City and visits Rockefeller Center. Amidst the hustle and bustle, he mistakenly confuses a passerby for Tina Fey, missing out on the opportunity to meet Conan O'Brien, who was still hosting Late Night with Conan O'Brien at the time.
Image: Rockefeller Center
While in New York City, Michael also indulges in a "New York slice" at his favorite pizza joint, which turns out to be a Sbarro located at the corner of 47th Street and 7th Avenue. Although the specific Sbarro outlet has since closed, there are plenty of food carts in the city where you can grab a tasty bite.
Times Square
During his exploration of New York, Michael takes a walk through Times Square and shares his unique take on its name, explaining it as "the good times you have while you're in it." The busy streets and vibrant lights of Times Square serve as a backdrop for one of his memorable escapades.
Scranton Locations
Although not filmed in Scranton itself, The Office paid homage to the city by referencing many local places throughout the series. Let's explore a couple of these Scranton landmarks.
The Steamtown Mall
The famous "Scranton Welcomes You" sign, featured in the show's opening credits, has found a new home on display in the Steamtown Mall. The mall, which was mentioned numerous times on the show, also housed a small The Office gift shop, and the iconic Dwight Bobble Head could be spotted in the elevator.
Image: Steamtown Mall
The Penn Paper Tower
The Penn Paper Tower, seen in the opening credits, is a recognizable landmark in Scranton. Thanks to The Office's popularity, one side of the tower now proudly displays the "Dunder Mifflin" logo.
Image: The Office Scranton
While Scranton provided the show's backdrop, fans will have to venture beyond the screen to experience the true essence of this beloved city.
In Conclusion
The Office may have come to an end, but its charm and wit continue to entertain audiences worldwide. Exploring the real-life locations that served as the show's backdrops adds a whole new layer of appreciation for the series. From Los Angeles to New York City and Scranton, each location holds its own unique charm and contributes to the show's remarkable legacy.
So, grab your favorite Dunder Mifflin mug, settle in for a rewatch, and let the memories of the show's iconic locations transport you back to the hilarious world of The Office.
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