Video Intercom for 12–24 Unit Condo Building

Typical building profile

This solution is based on a common type of North Shore building:

12–24 residential units in 3–4 floors.
One main entrance door with intercom and mail area nearby.
Back or side door for residents and deliveries.
Small garage or parking area (optional).

Many such buildings still use old audio-only intercoms, buzzer panels, or even simple code locks and keys. Residents do not see who is at the door, directories are outdated, and it is hard to manage access for delivery drivers and service vendors.

Goals of the new intercom system

When boards and property managers call us for this type of building, they usually want to solve several problems at once:

Residents want to see who is at the door, not just hear.
Calls should reach residents on indoor monitors, phones or both.
The system must reliably unlock the door when residents press the button, with clean integration into existing locks or new access control.
Property managers need a simple way to update the directory when residents move in or out.
Everything should be stable in Chicago weather and look good on the front door.

Our design focuses on clear everyday use: residents, guests, delivery drivers and service vendors should all understand how to use the system without long manuals.

System components in this example

Main video door station

At the front entrance we install a vandal-resistant video door station with:

Wide-angle camera with proper lighting for faces at the door.
Directory for 12–24 units, with clear apartment or resident names.
Call button and clear status indicators (calling, in conversation, door open).
Integration with electric strike or maglock on the main door.

In many cases this is a device from our Video Intercoms & Entry category – chosen for Chicago climate and daily use.

Indoor monitors and mobile apps

Residents can answer calls in two ways:

Wall-mounted indoor monitors inside units – simple and reliable, great for residents who prefer not to use apps.
Mobile apps for smartphones – ideal for residents who are often away, travel frequently or prefer to answer from anywhere.

For many buildings we mix both options: some residents use monitors, some use apps, some choose both. The building does not have to force a single model.

Door lock and access control integration

The intercom must safely unlock the main door when residents press the open button. We typically:

Replace or adjust existing locks to work with an electric strike or maglock suitable for the door and frame.
Integrate with an Access Control System so residents use fobs or cards instead of keys.
Set up clear fail-safe/fail-secure behaviour according to building needs and fire egress rules.

In some projects, the intercom directly drives the lock; in others, it triggers the access control controller, which logs events and enforces schedules.

Cameras near the entrance

We almost always add at least one dedicated camera watching the entrance area:

Wider scene than the intercom camera, to see how people approach.
Reliable recording on an NVR or VMS server.
Better low-light performance compared to many built-in intercom cameras.

This camera usually comes from our Security Cameras category and records to a device from Recorders & Servers.

Network, PoE and power

All intercom components and cameras need stable network and power. For this type of building we typically provide:

A dedicated PoE switch for the intercom, cameras and access control panels – sized with future growth in mind.
Proper cabling from the entrance to the equipment location (telecom room, electrical room or rack).
UPS and surge protection from our Power & Protection category.

A stable backbone means the board and manager do not see “random” outages every time weather changes or someone plugs in a new consumer router.

Step-by-step project workflow

A typical video intercom project for a 12–24 unit building goes through predictable steps:

Initial conversation. We discuss the building, current intercom situation and goals: video, apps, access control, cameras.
Site visit. We inspect the main entrance, wiring paths, telecom room, door hardware, power and existing cabling.
Design and proposal. You receive a clear design with hardware list, placement diagrams and pricing for equipment and labour.
Board review. For HOAs and condos we often join board meetings to explain the system and answer questions directly.
Installation and wiring. We mount door stations, run cables, install locks and prepare the network and power.
Configuration & testing. We program units, test call flows, check video quality and verify door unlock behaviour.
Resident onboarding. We provide clear instructions for residents on how to use monitors, apps and door release.
Documentation & support. The building gets diagrams, device lists and access to support for future changes.

Common questions from boards and managers

Do residents need smartphones to use the system?

No. Indoor monitors alone are enough to use the intercom comfortably. Apps are an option for residents who want them, but not a strict requirement.

What happens if the internet goes down?

It depends on the chosen platform. In many systems, local audio and video calls between door station and indoor monitors continue to work even without internet. App notifications and remote unlock may be affected until the connection is back.

How do we update the directory when residents move?

Managers or board members receive access to a simple interface (web or app) where they can change names, unit numbers and call destinations. We train you on this during handover.

Is this solution right for your building?

If your building in Chicago North Shore has around 12–24 units and you are thinking about upgrading an old intercom, this example is very close to what you will likely need. Details will change – each property is unique – but the main idea stays the same: clear video at the door, reliable unlocking and simple management.

To discuss your specific building, send us:

Address or city/area.
Number of units and floors.
Current intercom and door situation.

Use the Contact page, and we will respond with next steps and a proposal for a site visit or remote review.