Case Study
Modernizing a Pre-War Co-op Without Touching the Walls
9 West 16th Street Coop
Security Cameras · Access Control · Intercoms · Structured Cabling
PAX Security retrofitted a Manhattan co-op's broken legacy Aiphone intercom with an Akuvox smart system and touchscreen apartment monitors -- all over existing 2-wire wiring -- then deployed 11 IP cameras across every floor without damaging a single lobby wall.
The Challenge
What We Were Brought In To Solve
A pre-war Manhattan co-op at 9 West 16th Street had an aging, broken Aiphone intercom system running on outdated legacy 2-wire wiring. Residents had no way to screen visitors, and the building had zero camera coverage across its floors, leaving common areas, the lobby, elevator, and roof completely unmonitored. Any upgrade had to work around the existing wiring and avoid destructive cuts to the finished lobby walls.
The PAX Solution
How We Delivered
PAX Security used an Ethernet-over-Coax adapter to deliver IP connectivity over the building's original 2-wire wiring, then installed an Akuvox 8" touchscreen smart door phone at the entrance with built-in camera and RFID card reader. Seven Akuvox 7" touchscreen monitors were fitted in apartments using custom 3D-printed adapter plates fabricated by PAX -- designed to drop into the existing wall cutouts with no patching or painting required. A full IP camera system was rolled out in two phases: 11 cameras total covering the building entrance (5MP 180-degree), lobby vestibule, hallways, elevator, back balcony, and roof, with all new cabling run without cutting into lobby walls. The roof emergency exit was secured with a Detex push bar alarm monitored over Alarm.com cellular.
Our Process
A Clear Process From First Call to Final Handover
We make security upgrades simple with fast communication, clean installations, and systems that work the right way from day one.
Discovery Call
We learn about your building, goals, pain points, and timeline.
Site Walk & System Design
We assess doors, wiring, entry points, and layout to recommend the right solution.
Proposal & Scope Review
Clear pricing, clear scope, and options that fit your property and budget.
Professional Installation
Clean cabling, coordinated scheduling, minimal disruption, tested equipment.
Training & Ongoing Support
We train your team and stay available through our PAXCare service plans.
The Results
Key Outcomes
- Broken Aiphone intercom fully replaced with Akuvox 8" smart touchscreen door phone using existing legacy 2-wire wiring -- no rewiring needed
- 7 Akuvox 7" touchscreen apartment monitors installed with custom PAX 3D-printed adapter plates -- zero wall damage or patching
- 11 IP cameras deployed across all floors, lobby, elevator, vestibule, roof, and building exterior
- 5MP 180-degree Vivotek camera at building entrance for full-width coverage
- 20 RFID keyfobs issued for keyless building access
- New camera cabling run throughout the building with no cuts to lobby walls
- Roof emergency exit secured with Detex push bar alarm on Alarm.com cellular monitoring
- PAX NVR with 8TB storage for continuous multi-camera recording
Related
Services Used in This Project
From the Knowledge Base
Further Reading
How to Secure a Package Room in Your Apartment Building
Package theft is one of the top complaints in NYC multifamily buildings. Here is how property managers are solving it with cameras, access control, and smart intercoms -- without breaking the budget.
PTZ vs Fixed Security Cameras: Which Do You Need?
Pan-tilt-zoom cameras offer wide coverage flexibility but come with real trade-offs. Fixed cameras are simpler, cheaper, and often the better choice. Here is how to decide.
How to Choose an Access Control System for a Small Business
You do not need an enterprise system to control who enters your business. Here is what small business owners should actually look for -- and what to skip.
Similar Project in Mind?
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