Do You Need a Doorman in New York City?

Doorman condominium and co-op buildings in New York City have become synonymous with luxury, security and convenience. Many people gravitate toward such buildings despite the loss of privacy that comes with living in a doorman building. For those seeking the convenience and security offered by a doorman without sacrificing their privacy, modern video intercom and remote access systems offer the perfect solution.

A doorman’s primary responsibilities include opening the front door, greeting residents and guests, announcing guest arrivals, accepting packages, preventing unauthorized individuals from entering the building, carrying shopping bags, and hailing cabs. In addition, many doormen serve as residents’ part-time therapists, doctors and friends.

While the personal touch and human warmth that doormen provide cannot be replaced, most of the fundamental services offered by a doorman can be replicated by smart building technology.

Doorman Role 1: Opening the front door

Solution: While a typical video intercom system won’t open and hold the door for you, it does allow you to unlock the front door using your phone, key fob, PIN code, or hands-free face recognition. Buildings can also choose to install automatic doors with hold-open features.

Doorman Role 2: Receiving guests and announcing their arrival

Solution: Using a video intercom and remote unlock system, guests can call residents when they’re at the front door, they can be provided with PIN codes, or they can call the virtual doorman to gain access to the building. Further, the use of video calls allows residents to visually verify who is at the door before deciding whether to grant access.

Doorman Role 3: Preventing unauthorized individuals from entering the building

Solution: The security provided by doormen can be replaced with a package of high-security door locks, self-closing doors, and surveillance cameras. With these features, the building entrances remain secured at all times and can only be unlocked by residents or those granted access by a resident or virtual doorman.

Doorman Role 4: Accepting packages and deliveries

Solution: By incorporating a sophisticated video intercom and remote access system, each apartment building can implement its own procedures for granting access to delivery vendors that fit the specific needs and characteristics of the building and the individual. Video intercom calls from delivery couriers can be received from anywhere using any mobile device to visually verify who is at the door. Single-use PIN codes can be generated by residents or property managers, distributed to delivery personnel via phone, email, or text, and expire 5 minutes after initial use. Multi-use PIN codes can be scheduled to restrict access on any day or at any time to ensure access isn’t granted when it’s not necessary. Buildings can also set up a virtual concierge to accept deliveries on behalf of residents.

Conclusion

Doormen offer many conveniences in residents’ day-to-day lives, and there is a reason why this remains a highly coveted building amenity. On the other hand, video intercom and remote access systems can easily substitute the basic roles of a doorman while adding different benefits that may better suit your lifestyle. Prospective buyers of condominium and co-op apartments should carefully weigh the pros and cons when deciding between whether to buy in a building with or without a doorman.