The laboratory from Stranger Things

This is the filming location of the laboratory building from Netflix's sci-fi horror series "Stranger Things".

In the show, it is called the Hawkins National Laboratory. However, in real life, it is the Emory Briarcliff Campus in Atlanta, Georgia.

All of the exterior scenes of the facility were shot at this location in Druid Hills.

The lab features extensively throughout the series, as it is the place where a child test subject named "Eleven" unintentionally opens a gate to a hellish dimension called the "Upside Down".

During the first episode of Season 1, Eleven manages to escape the complex. Shortly afterwards, she is discovered wandering around in the woods by three teenage friends called Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, and Dustin Henderson.

After meeting the young girl and taking pity on her, Mike decides to bring her back to his house and hide her from the authorities.

During the first season, the lab is run by Dr. Martin Brenner, who conducts mind experiments with children (MKUltra).

Although it is claimed that the Hawkins National Laboratory belongs to the U.S. Department of Energy, it is likely that an intelligence agency such as the CIA is the real owner.

Further information is available in the "Photos" section below.

Photos

Photos of the laboratory and other related images.

Hawkins National Laboratory

Episode 1, Season 1 - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers

The laboratory first appears in the premier episode in Season 1.

In Stranger Things, it is situated in a fictional town called Hawkins, Indiana.

The Gate

Episode 9, Season 2 - The Gate

Hawkins National Laboratory contains the "Mothergate", which is a portal to an alternative dimension called the "Upside Down". 

This dimension is a carbon copy of Hawkins. It is filled with humanoid predators, flying creatures, spores, and dangerous vines.

Aerial image

This is an aerial image of the complex, which is currently owned by Emory University.

Before Emory University acquired it, it was a psychiatric hospital called the Georgia Mental Health Institute.

The hospital operated between 1965 and 1997, when it was forced to close due to rising costs. Shortly afterwards, Emory purchased the property for $2.9 million.

Dr. Martin Brenner

This Google Street View image of the southern side of the complex was taken in August of 2016 — one month after the first season of Stranger Things was released.

In the series, the lab is operated by Dr. Martin Brenner (inset), who heads up the MKUltra project.

Season 2

Episode 1, Season 2 - MADMAX

The building at the start of Season 2.

Google Earth

This 3D aerial image of the Emory Briarcliff Campus was taken from Google Earth.