IP VIDEO INTERCOM
Comelit IP video intercom in New York: the world’s largest App-based installation.
After the record-breaking projects of Stuyvesant Town & Peter Cooper Village in Manhattan, the Comelit Group achieved another milestone in the Big Apple.
At Parkchester Condominiums, in the Bronx, the world’s largest IP video intercom system entirely based on an App has been completed: 171 buildings, 12,271 apartments and about 48,000 residents, all now managing access in a smart, secure and sustainable way directly from their smartphones.
Built in the 1940s as a “city within a city” to offer comfort and green spaces to commuters traveling to Manhattan, Parkchester is now one of the largest residential communities in the United States. Famous for its tree-lined avenues, terracotta sculptures and red-brick buildings, it is managed by Parkchester Preservation Management.
Buildings
Apartments
Residents
The installation challenge: modernizing a massive system
In September 2024, a modernization plan for Parkchester’s intercom infrastructure was launched.
The old wiring had become obsolete, and installing new intercoms would have required years of work and significant investment. A faster, more efficient, and sustainable solution was needed: an App-based IP video intercom system.
Comelit’s IP technology eliminates the limits of traditional wiring while ensuring high performance even across long distances.
Comelit IP video intercom systems are ideal for large-scale residential complexes, as they support unlimited connected users and simultaneous video intercom calls from multiple door entry panels without compromise.
The Comelit proposal: innovation, sustainability, and lifetime licenses
Comelit USA stood out from competitors thanks to an innovative and sustainable approach: a contract including lifetime mobile App licenses and the option to answer via traditional phone calls.
In just nine months, all 171 buildings were equipped with Ultra Touch entrance panels, 1456B gateways, and lifetime Comelit App licenses.
The installation, carried out by Total Security, created a system managed entirely through the App and integrated with the property management software for intuitive, centralized control.
Ultra Touch entrance panels
Installed at the entrances of all 171 buildings, feature a customizable HD touch interface and a digital directory for simple, intuitive access management. Among the advanced features is remote tenant name editing.
Comelit App
Each resident has a lifetime license for the Comelit App, allowing remote access management with total security. Through the App, residents can receive video intercom calls, open doors, monitor entrances, and enjoy superior comfort and safety.
Emergency panels
Installed in strategic locations to enhance pedestrian safety, each unit includes an emergency button that instantly connects users to the Parkchester Department of Public Safety concierge stations. Thanks to Comelit’s IP technology, audio and video communication is always clear, stable, and immediate.
Concierge Switchboards
Comelit concierge stations enable access control, building monitoring, and direct communication with the Department of Public Safety.
They integrate with other security systems, offering customized concierge services and centralized management for the entire community
The benefits of IP video intercom for Parkchester residents
The advantages of the new Comelit IP video intercom system were immediate.
Thanks to App-based management, residents can see visitors and open doors from anywhere.
For those not using smartphones, it’s possible to answer a traditional phone call and dial *9 to authorize access.
Adoption was rapid: over 75% of residents now use the App daily, appreciating its convenience and security compared to the previous analog system.
Safety first
Each Ultra Touch entrance panel includes a dedicated “Security” button connecting directly to the Parkchester Police Department, equipped with three Comelit concierge stations to manage emergency calls.
The system is scalable and customizable: new pedestrian Emergency panel installations are already underway, allowing immediate connections with the Department of Public Safety.
Not only physical security, but cybersecurity too
Cybersecurity was also crucial in the client’s decision, given the strong focus on data protection.
Comelit was chosen for the reliability of its solutions: all residents’ emails and phone numbers are stored locally within each building’s gateway, protected by strict cybersecurity standards.
It’s a closed network, not accessible remotely ensuring maximum data protection.
A smart record
With Parkchester Condominiums, Comelit strengthens its presence in New York and sets a new international benchmark for smart video intercom technology.
This project brings Italian technological excellence to one of the largest residential communities in the United States, confirming the Group’s leadership in IP App-based video intercom systems.
Expert insight – Comelit USA: