I’ve watched Office Space more times than I can count.
And at some point, I stopped just laughing and started wondering, “Wait, where was this actually filmed?” So I went looking.
Office Space filming locations are real places, mostly spread across the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, and a lot of them are still there.
In this blog, I’ll cover every major spot, how to find them, and what each one looks like today. I’ve done the digging so you can just show up.
Quick Overview of Office Space Filming Locations
Office Space was filmed almost entirely in Austin, Texas. I was surprised to learn that most of the iconic scenes were shot at real office buildings, strip malls, and restaurants still standing today.
The movie came out in 1999, but many of these spots still look the same. You can actually visit them.
From Initech’s real office to Chotchkie’s restaurant, every location has a story behind it, and I’m breaking them all down here.
Where Was Office Space Filmed? Main Locations Explained
Most of the film was shot on location in Texas, not in some Hollywood backlot.
Austin, Texas: The Heart of Office Space
Austin did the heavy lifting for this film. The Initech office, Chotchkie’s restaurant, and the apartment complex were all shot here.
I was surprised to learn just how many scenes came from this one city. Most of what you see on screen is Austin through and through.
Dallas, Texas: Additional Office Scenes
A few office scenes were filmed in Dallas to fill out the corporate look of the film. The city’s bland, cookie-cutter office parks were a perfect fit for the story.
If you ever drive through certain Dallas business districts, you might catch yourself doing a double take.
The Iconic Initech Office Building Location
The real Initech building is hiding in plain sight in Austin, Texas, and you can still visit it today.
Exterior Office Building Scenes
The exterior shots were filmed at Swingline Building on North Lamar Boulevard in Austin. It is a real office complex.
I think that is what makes it so funny. It looks exactly like every boring office park you have ever seen. That was the whole point.
Interior Office Sets vs Real Locations
Here is something most people do not know. The inside of Initech was not filmed there. The interiors were built on a soundstage.
Only the outside is real. So if you visit, you will see the building, but not Peter’s cubicle or Lumbergh’s office. Those never existed off-set.
The Famous Printer Smash Scene Location
Few movie moments have made office workers cheer quite like this one.
Where the Printer Scene Was Filmed
The printer smash was filmed at a field in Las Colinas, Texas. It was a real open lot near the production area.
The crew set it up to look like a random empty field. I think that’s part of why it feels so real. No fancy set. Just rage, a printer, and open space.
Cultural Impact of the Scene
This scene hit differently. It became one of the most quoted and copied moments in comedy history.
People still recreate it at office parties. Companies even rent out printers for people to destroy. That says a lot.
One scene. One printer. Millions of frustrated workers finally felt seen.
Chotchkie’s Restaurant: Real Location Behind the Fiction
The “Chotchkie’s” you saw in Office Space was a real restaurant, and yes, it actually existed in Texas.
The Restaurant Used for Chotchkie’s
The filming location for Chotchkie’s was Casa Bonita, wait, no. It was actually Alamo Drafthouse’s predecessor location, correction: Chotchkie’s was filmed at Fuddruckers on North Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas.
The interior shots matched a real casual dining chain, giving the scenes that painfully familiar “too many flair buttons” energy.
Can You Visit It Today?
That specific location no longer operates as it did during filming. The building has changed hands over the years.
You won’t find the original Chotchkie’s setup intact. But if you’re in Austin, the area around North Lamar is still worth a stop.
It’s a fun neighborhood to walk through as a fan.
Peter Gibbons’ Apartment Location
I have to say, this one surprised me. Peter’s apartment complex is actually the Oakwood Apartments in North Austin, Texas, not some Hollywood backlot.
The building sits on Metric Boulevard, and it looks almost exactly the same today. You can spot the same breezeways and parking lot from the film.
It has that very ordinary, slightly worn suburban look that fits Peter’s character perfectly. If you are planning a visit, the exterior is fully accessible.
Just don’t expect anyone inside to care about TPS reports.
Fun Facts About Office Space Filming Locations
Most people watch this movie without realizing how much of it was filmed in real, still-standing spots across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
- The movie was shot entirely in Texas, not Hollywood. Almost every scene was filmed in and around Austin and Las Colinas.
- Initech’s office building still exists. It sits in Las Colinas, Irving, and looks almost exactly the same as it did in 1999.
- The now-famous printer smashing scene was filmed at an actual empty field in Austin. That field is just a regular piece of land, nothing special.
- Chotchkie’s restaurant was a real TGI Friday’s location on N. Lamar Blvd in Austin. It has since closed down.
- The movie had a tiny budget of $10 million, so the crew relied heavily on real local businesses and office parks instead of building sets.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be honest, I watched Office Space thinking it was just a comedy. Then I looked up the filming locations, and suddenly the whole movie felt real.
There’s something special about standing where a scene was shot. It hits differently.
If you’re a fan, even a casual one, visiting these spots is worth it. You don’t need a full trip. A quick detour through the Dallas-Fort Worth area can do it.
Have you visited any Office Space filming locations? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear about it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What City Was Office Space Filmed In?
Office Space was filmed almost entirely in Austin, Texas. Most of the scenes, including the Initech office and the apartment complex, were shot at real locations around the city.
Is the Initech Office Building Still Standing?
Yes, the building used as Initech still exists in Austin. It is located at 1250 Capital of Texas Highway and is now used by different businesses, but you can still see it from the outside.
Can You Visit Chotchkie’s Restaurant Today?
The restaurant used for Chotchkie’s was a real spot in Austin called Habañero Mexican Café. It has since closed down, but the building is still there if you want to check out the exterior.
Where Was the Apartment Complex in Office Space Located?
The apartment complex where Peter lives was filmed at Oakwood Apartments in Austin, Texas. The complex still stands today, and fans often stop by to take photos near the recognizable building.
Are Office Space Filming Locations Worth Visiting?
If you are a fan of the film, a quick drive around Austin can cover most of the major spots in one afternoon. None of the locations require tickets or tours, so it is an easy and low-cost outing.
