Aiphone Video Intercom Upgrade for a Bronx Apartment Building

Tucked into a residential block in the Bronx, this multi-family apartment building recently traded its entry system for a modern, video-based intercom setup. The upgrade gives residents face-to-face verification before buzzing anyone in, gives building management a reliable tenant directory, and adds a second layer of access control at the interior vestibule door.

A Multi-Family Building With a Classic Lobby

Like many prewar apartment buildings across the Bronx, this property pairs decades-old character, including vintage mosaic tile work in the entry lobby, with the practical needs of a modern, multi-tenant residence. A posted sign directing deliveries to the building's rear service door is a reminder that buildings like this one run on daily routines: packages, visitors, staff, and residents moving through a handful of controlled entry points every day.

For a building like this, the entry system has to do more than open a door. It needs to verify visitors, manage a full tenant directory, hold up to constant exterior use, and give whoever answers the call a fast, clear way to see who's outside before granting access.

The Solution: Aiphone GT Series Video Intercom

Lobby Entry: Aiphone GT-DMB-N

At the main entrance, the system is anchored by an Aiphone GT-DMB-N , a vandal-resistant video entrance station built for the GT Series multi-tenant intercom line. It's a stainless steel, all-in-one unit combining a wide-angle camera, a digital display and directory, a 10-digit keypad for direct dialing, and an NFC reader for hassle-free directory updates. The camera captures a 170-degree field of view, and the panel is rated to handle New York's outdoor temperature swings, from well below freezing to well above 100°F.

The directory system supports up to 500 tenant entries, so it scales easily for a building of any size, and updates to the tenant list can be made without reprogramming the whole panel.

In Every Apartment: Aiphone GT-1C7

Inside each unit, residents answer calls on an Aiphone GT-1C7 video tenant station. Its 7-inch color display shows live video from the entrance camera, with pan-tilt-zoom control so residents can get a full look at who's at the door before deciding whether to let them in. The station supports hands-free or push-to-talk communication, and includes a dedicated button to reach the building's concierge or superintendent directly.

Each station mounts flush to the wall for a clean, low-profile look that fits into any apartment's interior.

Layered Access Control at the Vestibule

Beyond the video intercom, the building's interior vestibule door adds a second, independent layer of security: a Rosslare proximity card reader. Where the lobby's GT-DMB-N handles video-verified entry from the street, the Rosslare reader controls who can pass through the inner vestibule door with an authorized access card, giving management a way to separate general street-level entry from controlled building access.

What This Means for Property Managers and Tenants

• Residents get live video verification before opening the door to anyone
• Building staff and management get a scalable, easy-to-update tenant directory
• Two independent layers of access control separate street entry from building access
• A modern system that respects the building's original architectural character

This installation shows how a video intercom upgrade can modernize security and tenant experience without disrupting the character of an older NYC building. If your property is due for an intercom or access control upgrade, reach out to Parker Custom Security to talk through the right system for your building.