When a condominium property in Arlington, Virginia needed a complete security overhaul, the scope went far beyond swapping out an old intercom. The project covered every layer of the building: the entry intercom, access control at each door, cameras across every common area, and the infrastructure to connect it all. This post walks through what a project like that actually involves, and what property management gains when it is done right.
The Starting Point: Why a Full Upgrade
Most buildings do not need a full replacement all at once. But when the existing system is aging hardware spread across multiple incompatible platforms, partial upgrades create more problems than they solve. At this property, the decision was to replace the entire system with a unified platform built around ButterflyMX. That decision simplified operations for management from day one.
The Intercom Layer
The centerpiece of the upgrade was a ButterflyMX video intercom installed at the main building entry. Residents receive visitor calls on their smartphones regardless of where they are. They can see the visitor on video, speak with them, and grant or deny access remotely. Management gets a complete log of every entry event, with timestamps and images.
That entry log is not a secondary feature. For a 200-unit building, the ability to review exactly who entered and when is a practical operational tool, not just a security checkbox.
Access Control: 12 Controllers, 25 Readers
The access control side of the project covered 12 two-door controllers, 25 door readers, 7 strike locks, and 7 lock boxes. That hardware reaches every controlled entry point in the building: main entries, parking garage access, stairwell doors, common area entries, and mechanical room doors.
The ButterflyMX platform integrates with the access control system so both run off the same management dashboard. Property staff add residents, adjust credentials, and review access logs from one interface. That integration is what makes the day-to-day management practical. Without it, the intercom and the door access run on separate systems that do not communicate.
The controllers were mounted in protected locations throughout the building, and all cabling runs in EMT conduit. EMT is required for commercial work because it protects wiring from physical damage and meets fire code. Every run was planned before any conduit was installed so the paths stay logical and accessible.
39 Cameras and 4 Gateways
The camera count for this project was 39 units, connected through 4 camera gateways. The gateways distribute the network load so no single switch handles more than its capacity can support.
Camera placement was mapped before installation began. The goal is overlapping fields of view so that no zone has a single camera as its only coverage. In a parking garage, that means accounting for columns, vehicle obstructions, lighting conditions at different hours, and the areas between floors where access points create natural chokepoints.
All camera cable runs are in EMT conduit. The infrastructure at this property is built to last for the next decade, not just to pass an inspection.
Ubiquiti Switching and Network Infrastructure
The network backbone for the camera system runs through 2 Ubiquiti 48-port PoE switches. Power-over-Ethernet simplifies camera installation because the same cable that carries video also delivers power. No separate power runs to each camera location.
The switches were sized for the camera count plus headroom for future additions. Specifying the right switch infrastructure up front is one of those decisions that matters at the end of the project when everything needs to come online cleanly.
What Property Management Gains
At the end of a project like this, property management has one platform for everything: visitor management, resident access credentials, door logs, and camera footage. Staff spend less time managing multiple systems and more time on the work that matters.
The entry log from the ButterflyMX intercom, combined with access control event history and camera footage, gives management a complete picture of activity at any point in the building. When an incident occurs, reviewing what happened is straightforward.
If you manage a multifamily property in the DC metro area and want to know what a complete low-voltage upgrade would involve for your building, we offer free site walks with no obligation. We will document what you have, identify the gaps, and give you a clear picture of scope and cost.
For properties in Arlington and the surrounding area, see our Arlington, VA CCTV and access control page. We also serve Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC.
Request a free site walk or call us at 301-363-7347. Innovative Developments LLC is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.