Amid the hustle and bustle of Ybor, you’ll find a stylish multi-use property setting the standard for how Tampa residents can live, work, and play in the city. From the stately and sleek ground-level entrance, an elevator whisks you from the heart of 7th Avenue to a rooftop cigar lounge and bar, with residential apartments on the floors in between. Each of these components warrants a unique approach to video surveillance, which Surveillance Technology, Inc. (STI) was able to provide.
On the upper floor, the surveillance package is tailored to the commercial operations of Sterling Cigar Lounge and Bar. In addition to elegant seating throughout the interior, Sterling’s broad front balcony is a popular spot to view the city’s famous Gasparilla activities and various parades throughout the year. A rear patio also required coverage. Following this installation, all general seating areas are covered by fixed 2.8mm 4K turret style IR cameras. STI also implemented a signature setup for retail spaces, arranging a varifocal camera directly over each cash register. This placement ensures the cameras can’t be beat by obstructing the camera’s view with your body. Sterling is more than a place to smoke a quality cigar and enjoy a delicious cocktail. It’s a place to unwind and connect. Surveillance Tech has equipped Sterling’s owners to manage the practical side of protecting their guests and assets without distracting from the ambience of luxury and comfort.
Surveillance Tech paid special attention to the crown jewel of the property – the humidor. A key asset in any cigar bar, the humidor requires equipment designed to perform in a warm and humid environment. STI has installed systems in every environment, some exposed to hurricane conditions and others inside industrial freezers. This wasn’t even their first humidor! If you’ve ever spent a summer day in Florida, you know that even the cameras on the misted open-air rooftop patio have to withstand formidable heat and humidity.
Centro Ybor is arguably the cigar capital of the United States, where this property offers a distinctive twist with cigar-friendly lodging. Available to rent on Airbnb, each apartment includes an outdoor patio where smoking is permitted and can be stocked from the lounge, setting this location apart as one of the most smoker friendly lodging options in Tampa. Hosting short term rental guests enhances the need for quality surveillance. In the second and third floor residential areas, two cameras have been placed in each hallway. Cameras located at intersections use fixed 2.8mm lenses to capture anyone entering or exiting the corridor via the stairwell. Turret style 4K IR cameras have also been strategically placed in the private main lobby and in the elevator lobbies on each floor.
Surveillance Tech installed one 16 channel H.265 4K DVR, and another with 8 channels, to support the client’s existing CCTV cameras, along with additional modern equipment. This particular stretch of 7th Ave has charm and architecture reminiscent of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, with properties connected as part of a continuous stretch of buildings on the block. Located in the center of the main thoroughfare, there are no exposed sides to this property, leaving only the front and back to protect with security cameras. STI selected several fixed lens bullet cameras for broad shots of the exterior, including traffic around the property, deliveries, patrons, and nearby pedestrians. Each camera can emit 60’ of ambient LED light, sufficient to provide 24/7 color footage, even after dark. While these are excellent for nighttime security, rest assured the IR cameras also see color in the day.
STI was engaged on this project during the build, which is a best case scenario. They laid over 1,700’ of cable for this job, which is easier and less costly while construction is underway, as opposed to running cable after completion. If you are considering a security camera system for a business that hasn’t opened yet, consider engaging Surveillance Tech as soon as possible.
Sterling property managers can view all footage in real time from two large 4K monitors on site, or from anywhere in the world using remote access via an app on any device. Surveillance Tech clients always appreciate the ability to view and store their security camera footage on the cloud. If you’re looking to secure more than one location, reach out and let us show you how to monitor multiple properties at once on a single, unified platform.
