On the exclusive Davis Islands of Tampa, FL, you’ll find a collection of historic structures, including the stunning Palace of Florence. One of the first buildings ever constructed on the islands in 1925, the Palace is modeled after the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. This gem of Mediterranean Revival architecture boasts a dramatic four-story battlement tower, 12 foot ceilings, and a roof garden. Currently serving as 28 residential apartments, this classic property now has modern tenant needs and lists their electronic entrance system as a key selling point.
Surveillance Technology, Inc. (STI) recently replaced the building’s traditional telephone entry system with a Cellgate Watchman W461 video system at the main entrance door. This upgrade puts their residents in control of visitor management with this apartment video intercom system, as there is no central reception area on site. The innovative technology allows residents to view live streaming video of their visitors, speak with the guest by voice, and grant access from the resident’s smartphone or landline. With the visitor’s touch of a button, the system can automatically call up to 6 contacts with the video app and 3 voice-only numbers. This Cellgate solution is able to detect voicemail and move to the next number on the list. These features decrease the chance of a stranded visitor, compared to most competitor systems that call only one number per directory listing.
With a 7.5″ color touchscreen and slim housing, this Watchman model is aesthetically pleasing and easy for visitors to navigate. The home screen can be configured with options including a directory, access code, and guest QR code. This final feature allows residents to proactively assign a 24-hour QR code to expected visitors, which the guest can hold up to the video screen for easy entry upon arrival. STI has used cellular technology to connect this system to a main controller. Access is informed by a database of residents, which can be updated by property managers.
The Palace of Florence is owned by Gaspar Properties, Inc., a boutique real estate firm specializing in historic preservation. The Palace is just one of several apartment buildings they own on Davis Islands and in nearby Hyde Park, making them an ideal local partner with Surveillance Technology, who hopes this is the first of many partnerships with Gaspar.
