Access, Service, and the New Shape of Residential Living
How virtual operations are changing what people expect from the places they live. There’s a small moment that defines how a building feels. A delivery shows up while someone is out, a visitor stands at the door unsure of what to do, or a resident realizes they left their keys upstairs. These moments pass quickly, but they influence how people experience where they live. For years, that experience depended heavily on whether a building had a full-time doorman. That innovation gap has always been clear. Some buildings offered a constant presence at the entrance. Others relied on intercoms, missed calls, and a level of guesswork that came with that approach. The difference affected more than convenience. It shaped expectations around access, security, and daily routine. Colin Foster, founder and chief innovation officer of Virtual Service, saw that gap early. Living in New York, he noticed how much of the residential experience came down to who was present at the door and who wasn’t. Full-time staffing brought consistency, though it also came with costs that many buildings couldn’t carry. That tension led to a different line of thinking. The role of a doorman extended far beyond opening a door. It involved recognizing patterns, handling unexpected situations, and maintaining a sense of awareness across the building. Once that became clear, the question changed. The goal focused on how to carry that level of service into buildings where full-time staffing was out of reach. In 1997, before PropTech became an industry norm, that thinking led to the introduction of VIRTUAL DOORMAN, a system that combined technology with live, remote operators. At the time, there was no middle ground between basic intercom systems and a staffed front desk. Virtual Service created one by connecting access infrastructure, centralized software, and trained operators into a single operational system. That structure continues to define how the platform works today. Where Access Becomes a System Residential real estate buildings run on consistent movement. Residents come and go, deliveries arrive throughout the day, and vendors show up with or without notice. Each interaction creates a moment where access needs to be managed clearly and consistently. An intercom can connect a call, and a camera can capture an image. Those tools serve a purpose, though they stop short of making decisions. That’s where Virtual Service positions its model. The system brings together video intercoms, access control hardware, and centralized software, supported by live operators who follow building-specific protocols. That combination allows each access event to be handled in real time. Visitors can be verified, and unexpected situations can be addressed without delay. The process stays consistent because it’s built into the structure of the system itself. Over time, that consistency shapes how residents interact with their building. There’s a clear point of contact, documentation of activity, and a sense that someone is paying attention, even when no one is physically at the door. A Wider Reach Across Residential Buildings Virtual Service has expanded across multifamily portfolios and residential communities, serving tens of thousands of residents throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, to name a few. The system has maintained client retention in the high ninety-percent range, with partnerships that have continued for decades. That reach reflects a broader change in how buildings operate. Services once limited to high-end properties are becoming more widely available. Smaller buildings, mid-sized developments, and mixed-use properties can now offer a level of access management that previously required full-time staff. Visibility improves, communication becomes more structured, and access events are recorded and easier to track. The building begins to function with more clarity across each interaction. The Quiet Change in Expectations The most interesting part of this model shows up in ordinary situations. Packages arriving late in the evening or someone popping up without notice aren’t exactly strange occurrences. But they test how well a building handles the unexpected. With a managed system in place, those moments feel more controlled. Someone responds, a decision is made, and the situation moves forward without incident or confusion. That consistency becomes part of the experience of living in the building. Author: Spencer Hulse, Journalist verified by MuckRack’s editorial team
Marking 30 Years of Virtual Doorman, the Operational System that Sets the Standard of Excellence for Customer Driven Multifamily Building Access and Support
Virtual Service marks its 30th anniversary—celebrating its role in defining an industry and creating an operational system that merges cutting-edge technology and innovation with human connection. Virtual Doorman set the industry standard for multifamily (cooperatives, condominiums, apartment buildings) and private residence building security, access and management without losing the human touch. Its clients include multifamily portfolios and residential communities for tens of thousands of residents across the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Virtual Service has a client retention rate consistently in the high ninety-percent range and long-standing partnerships spanning decades. Colin Foster, founder and chief innovation officer of Virtual Service, brought a major differentiating perspective to the security monitoring industry. With the launch of Virtual Doorman, he was uniquely able to apply his expertise in interactive video to the security monitoring industry—and taking it many steps further. He addressed a fundamental gap in residential buildings: secure building access and resident support without the need for an onsite doorman. The mission, then and now, is to make residential buildings safer, smarter and more efficient—without losing the human connection that defines compassionate, great service and builds trust. Virtual Doorman does not just dispatch alarms to the authorities, they use live 2-way video, as if they were actually onsite, to assess the situation: accepting packages and deliveries, granting access remotely for residents and guests and responding accordingly—it truly is technology for easy living. In 1997, when Virtual Doorman was introduced, there was no scalable solution between basic intercom systems and full-time doorman staffing. By combining technology with live, remote operators, Virtual Doorman became the trailblazer of virtual concierge and remote access control systems establishing a new approach to building access—defined by real-time verification, accountability, operational consistency and human touch. Foster stated, “We set out to find a way to enable buildings to offer the same services as a traditional doorman—but at a fraction of the cost—one that was less intrusive yet consistent and dependable. Our residents have great peace of mind knowing that there is a person they can connect with 24 hours a day, not just an email or text—and building management knows everything is under control.” Developing the earliest prototypes by hand, Foster installed test units in neighborhood buildings and perfected the system through trial and error. Long before cloud computing or remote monitoring was mainstream, Virtual Doorman developed a fully functioning offsite operations center. As the category of proptech increasingly shifts toward AI, Virtual Doorman continues to emphasize a hybrid approach—combining technology with human oversight to deliver consistent, accountable outcomes in real-world conditions. Matthew Barnes, executive vice president, explained, “At the start, Virtual Doorman set out to solve a known daily problem and we created a product everyone entering the category has emulated, but has never been able to replicate, or surpass—it is based on our focus on human connection and technological leadership.” Rather than positioning the milestone as a retrospective, Virtual Service is using its 30th anniversary to reinforce its role as a category leader. Not just the provider of Virtual Doorman but a platform capable of supporting multiple building operations solutions through integrated technology and live oversight. Residents feel secure, buildings operate smoothly and owners have confidence in how access is being managed. “At this juncture, we are most proud not of a single moment but rather the consistency of execution over time,” Foster explained. “We’ve spent decades refining a system that people rely on every day, without thinking about it—we are trusted. We built and operate a model/system that continues to shape the industry.” Over the past three decades, Virtual Doorman has been refined through millions of real-world interactions, shaping standardized protocols, training systems and operational processes. By tracking emerging technologies and always looking to the future, Virtual Doorman retains its competitive edge in an industry they jumpstarted in 1997. Author: Mann Publications
The Future Is Now: Colin Foster Of Virtual Service On How Their Technological Innovations Will Shake Up The Tech Scene
Buildings are not controlled environments. They are communities. The best technology adapts to them instead of forcing them to adapt to it. Asa part of our series about cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, I had the pleasure of interviewing Colin Foster. Colin Foster is the Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Virtual Service and the creator of VIRTUAL DOORMAN®, the pioneering remote building-wide entry and access management platform for residential buildings. Long before “PropTech” became an industry category, Foster recognized that technology, live human judgment, and building operations could be integrated to deliver a new model of access, security, and resident service. Since founding the company, Foster has led the development of a platform that combines installed access infrastructure, video intercom technology, centralized software, and trained live operators to help buildings manage visitors, deliveries, vendors, residents, and real-time access events. Foster is widely regarded as the creator and trusted authority in the category. His work has helped redefine how residential buildings think about staffing, access control, resident convenience, and operational efficiency — moving the industry beyond simple intercoms and into a more intelligent, service-driven model of building management. Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path? The idea for VIRTUAL DOORMAN came from a very real, very everyday frustration. I was living in New York City and saw a clear divide between buildings that had full-time doormen and those that did not. In many ways, that one feature changed the entire experience of living in a building. A doorman provided convenience, security, accountability, and a sense that someone was paying attention. But for many buildings, especially smaller and mid-sized properties, the economics simply did not work. Staffing a front desk around the clock was expensive, and many buildings could not justify or sustain it. At the same time, I could see that technology was advancing quickly. Cameras, access control systems, telecommunications, and remote connectivity were all improving. But no one had really connected those pieces into a managed service that could replicate many of the practical functions of a traditional doorman. That was the opening. The question became: Could we take the most valuable parts of the doorman experience — human judgment, controlled access, visitor assistance, package support, and building oversight — and deliver them remotely through technology? That question became the foundation for VIRTUAL DOORMAN. It was never just about creating a video intercom. It was about building an operational model that combined technology with trained people and real building protocols. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career? One of the most interesting parts of this journey has been watching an idea that initially sounded unusual become an accepted part of the residential real estate landscape. In the early days, when we described the concept of a “virtual doorman,” people would often pause. Some immediately understood it. Others needed to see it in action. There was skepticism because the traditional doorman model was so deeply ingrained in cities like New York. People understood a person standing at a desk. They did not yet understand that a trained operator, connected through the right technology, could manage access and provide service from a centralized location. The most interesting stories have come from buildings where the system proved itself in real life — not in a sales presentation, but during actual day-to-day operations. A delivery arrives when no one is home. A resident is locked out. A visitor is confused. A vendor shows up unexpectedly. A suspicious situation develops at an entrance. Those are the moments when people understand the difference between a device and a managed service. Over time, the industry started to catch up to the idea. Today, “remote access,” “virtual concierge,” and “PropTech” are common terms. But when we started, we were creating the playbook while also proving that the model could work. That has been one of the most rewarding parts of the career: seeing something that began as a practical solution become a category. Can you tell us about the cutting-edge technological breakthroughs that you are working on? How do you think that will help people? The most important breakthrough we are working on is not one single device. It is the integration of multiple layers of technology and service into one managed building operations platform. VIRTUAL DOORMAN combines three critical elements: The breakthrough is in the way those layers work together. A camera by itself does not solve a problem. An intercom by itself does not manage a building. An app by itself cannot apply judgment. But when you combine connected hardware, software, and trained human intervention, you create a much more intelligent operating system for residential buildings. This helps people in very practical ways. Residents get more convenience. Property managers get more visibility and documentation. Building owners can reduce reliance on expensive staffing models. Vendors and delivery personnel can be managed more efficiently. And buildings that could never afford a traditional 24/7 doorman can still offer a higher level of access management, resident service, and security. How do you think this might change the world? I think it changes the world by changing expectations around access, safety, and service in the places people live. For decades, certain building services were available mainly to luxury properties with the budget for full-time staff. If you lived in a smaller building, a walk-up, a mid-market rental, or a condominium without a doorman, you often had a very different experience. You might miss deliveries. You might have less control over vendor access. You might rely on outdated intercoms or keys. The building might have limited visibility into who came and went. Remote building operations can make a higher standard of service available to a much broader range of properties. That is a meaningful shift. It means technology can extend
Virtual Doorman Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence
The Operational System that Sets the Standard of Excellence for Customer-Driven Multifamily Building Access & Support Virtual Service marks its 30th anniversary — celebrating its pioneering role defining an industry and creating an operational system that merges cutting edge technology and innovation with human connection. VIRTUAL DOORMAN® set the industry standard for multifamily (cooperatives, condominiums, apartment buildings) and private residence building security, access, and management without losing the human touch. Its clients include multifamily portfolios and residential communities for tens of thousands of residents across the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Virtual Service has a client retention rate consistently in the high ninety-percent range and long-standing partnerships spanning decades. Colin Foster, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Virtual Service, brought a major differentiating perspective to the security monitoring industry. With the launch of VIRTUAL DOORMAN®, he was uniquely able to apply his expertise in interactive video to the security monitoring industry – and taking it many steps further. He addressed a fundamental gap in residential buildings: secure building access and resident support without the need for an onsite doorman. The mission, then and now, is to make residential buildings safer, smarter and more efficient – without losing the human connection that defines compassionate, great service and builds trust. VIRTUAL DOORMAN® does not just dispatch alarms to the authorities, they use live 2-way video, as if they were actually onsite, to assess the situation: accepting packages and deliveries, granting access remotely for residents and guests, and responding accordingly – it truly is Technology for Easy Living. In 1997, when VIRTUAL DOORMAN®, was introduced there was no scalable solution between basic intercom systems and full-time doorman staffing. By combining technology with live, remote operators,VIRTUAL DOORMAN® became the trailblazer of virtual concierge and remote access control systems establishing a new approach to building access— defined by real-time verification, accountability, operational consistency and human touch. Foster stated, “We set out to find a way to enable buildings to offer the same services as a traditional doorman – but at a fraction of the cost— one that was less intrusive yet consistent and dependable. Our residents have great peace of mind knowing that there is a person they can connect with 24 hours a day, not just an email or text – and building management knows everything is under control.” Developing the earliest prototypes by hand, Foster installed test units in neighborhood buildings and perfected the system through trial and error. Long before cloud computing or remote monitoring was mainstream, VIRTUAL DOORMAN® developed a fully functioning offsite operations center. As the category of proptech increasingly shifts toward AI, VIRTUAL DOORMAN® continues to emphasize a hybrid approach—combining technology with human oversight to deliver consistent, accountable outcomes in real-world conditions. Matthew Barnes, Executive Vice President, explained, “At the start, VIRTUAL DOORMAN® set out to solve a known daily problem and we created a product everyone entering the category has emulated, but has never been able to replicate, or surpass – it is based on our focus on human connection and technological leadership.” Rather than positioning the milestone as a retrospective, Virtual Service is using its 30th anniversary to reinforce its role as a category leader. Not just the provider of VIRTUAL DOORMAN® but a platform capable of supporting multiple building operations solutions through integrated technology and live oversight. Residents feel secure, buildings operate smoothly, and owners have confidence in how access is being managed. “At this juncture, we are most proud not of a single moment but rather the consistency of execution over time,” Foster explained. “ We’ve spent decades refining a system that people rely on every day, without thinking about it – we are trusted. We built and operate a model/system that continues to shape the industry.” Over the past three decades, VIRTUAL DOORMAN® has been refined through millions of real-world interactions, shaping standardized protocols, training systems, and operational processes. By tracking emerging technologies, and always looking to the future, VIRTUAL DOORMAN® retains its competitive edge in an industry they jumpstarted in 1997. About Virtual Service: Founded in New York City, Virtual Service is the originator of VIRTUAL DOORMAN®—a technology-enabled remote concierge and access service which it has delivered to residential and mixed-use buildings for 30 years. The company provides a fully managed, access control platform that combines installed hardware, cloud-based software, and live operator services to deliver secure, efficient building operations nationwide at scale. Virtual Service owns U.S. Trademark Registration No. 3,730,369 VIRTUAL DOORMAN® for building access control and concierge services.With a long-standing track record of innovation, Virtual Service continues to invest in advanced technology, building security, and industry education as it expands its national footprint.
Virtual Doorman Hires Former Client to Drive NYC Multifamily Growth
New York City — January 12, 2026 Virtual Doorman, a New York–based provider of virtual concierge and access control solutions for multifamily and mixed-use properties, announced today the hiring of Justin Verret as Sales Executive, as demand grows among NYC building owners for technology-driven alternatives to traditional on-site staffing. Verret brings more than 20 years of experience in property management and real estate operations and joins the company as a former longtime client. Prior to Virtual Doorman, he served as Senior Account Manager at Blue Woods Management Group, overseeing a portfolio of more than 700 residential units and managing building operations, compliance, capital projects, vendor relationships, and long-term financial planning. His appointment comes as multifamily owners and managers across the NYC metro area face rising labor costs, staffing challenges, and increased expectations around building security and resident experience. “What makes Justin’s hire unique is that he used Virtual Doorman every day as a property manager,” said Colin Foster, President of Virtual Doorman. “He understands firsthand what building operators need because he was responsible for delivering it. That perspective is invaluable as more owners look for smarter ways to operate their buildings.” Licensed in multiple states, Verret’s background spans residential and commercial property management, leasing, and portfolio operations. His experience working closely with boards, landlords, and residents positions him to advise owners evaluating virtual concierge and access control solutions. “As a property manager, I relied on Virtual Doorman to help improve operations and resident satisfaction,” said Verret. “I believed in the service as a client long before I joined the company. I’m excited to help other building owners navigate the same operational challenges I faced.” In his role, Verret will focus on partnering with property owners and management companies throughout New York City and the surrounding metro area to implement Virtual Doorman’s solutions. Welcome Justin!
Virtual Doorman: Remote Doorman Service of the Year for 2025
Virtual Doorman, winner of the 2025 Remote Doorman Service of the Year award, is a pioneering solution redefining building security and resident services. Founded by Colin Foster, the company offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional doormen by combining smart technology, real-time operators, and AI-driven tools to handle deliveries, guest access, and security monitoring. Unlike conventional staffing, which can cost hundreds of thousands annually, Virtual Doorman reduces expenses by up to 80% while enhancing convenience and safety through features like its proprietary app, customizable guest management, and AI-powered analytics. A Brooklyn case study demonstrates how the system improved tenant satisfaction, cut operating costs by 40%, and boosted lease renewals. With its blend of innovation and practicality, Virtual Doorman is transforming residential living into a more secure, efficient, and resident-centered experience. Click here to read the full article.
Virtual Doorman Offering Free, Expanded Services for All Customers During COVID-19 Emergency
Mann Publications Mann Publications “We have been closely monitoring the situation and want to make sure each and every one of the thousands of people we serve feels safe and protected during this time,” said Colin Foster, founder and chief innovation officer of Virtual Doorman. “We are aware this crisis has deep ramifications into how we conduct our daily lives and we hope that through the offering of free upgrades to our packages and expansion of our hours we will be able to bring additional safety and security not only to our customer base but also to their building’s existing personnel.” As the COVID-19 crisis magnifies, Virtual Doorman is committed to continuing to offer services that under this particular crisis are not only convenient but, in some cases, absolutely necessary. Virtual Doorman’s personalized service uses integrated digital CCTV, cameras, video intercoms, access control devices, and remote operators at its Doorman Command Center. The company’s services include building security; building access for residents, deliveries, and guests; as well as virtual concierge services. Virtual Doorman’s Command Center has evolved into one of the most advanced technical operations in the nation. The company’s first national emergency crisis came during Hurricane Sandy in New York in 2012. As other remote doorman companies struggled, Virtual Doorman’s Command Center in Florida provided constant and uninterrupted service throughout the emergency. Today, many Virtual Doorman customers have found a “silver lining” because they were uniquely prepared to handle the current situation. Social distancing is not easy for buildings with traditional doormen and onsite staff. Buildings that were forward-thinking and already had technology in place have been able to continue providing critical services while keeping everyone safe and the building running smoothly. These buildings have found Virtual Doorman to be helpful as the company has been able to cover shifts so doormen and supers can stay safely at home. “Virtual Doorman’s team of remarkable professionals is used to going the extra mile,” added Foster. “We are tremendously proud of our team and are deeply thankful for their dedication and support as we expand our services and look to provide additional comfort and relief to our clients during this trying time. Although our software is known for being best-in-class, we believe what sets us apart is not our technology but the people behind it.” Virtual Doorman has been developing and perfecting its suite of remote doorman services since it was founded twenty years ago. continue reading
Virtual Doormen: Deliveries in the Age of Virtual Staff
The Cooperator New York | By A.J. Sidransky go to this website Online services have revolutionized everything – but especially shopping. Virtually anything you want is now at your fingertips, and virtually everything can be delivered. Online versions of every service, from food delivery to furniture to pharmaceuticals, can arrive at your door without you ever leaving the comfort of your bedroom. Online services are revolutionizing the building service industry as well. Gone are the days of the post office box, when residents of non-doorman buildings had to rent an address at the local post office to receive packages, or have everything sent to their office, then had to drag it all home on a crowded subway packed with irritable commuters. Services such as Butterfly MX, Academy Makilbox, Cyberdoorman, and Virtual Doorman, just to name a few, are making life easier for residents of limited service buildings. How Does it Work? Obviously, having near-anonymous personnel coming and going in residential buildings requires a great deal of thought – not only to logistics, but also to security. For most delivery systems, security is provided through a web based information management platform that streamlines communications between residents, building managers, and a command center in the form of an interactive web portal. The main entry point to a client building is equipped with an alarmed card-access lock, a two way audio communication module and a video camera, which in turn is connected to a digital video recorder (DVR). Whenever a package arrives, the delivery person initiates a contact with the command center through the portal. The courier is instructed to go to a storage room, also under electronic surveillance. The command center unlocks the door to the storage room and verifies that the courier leaves the package and doesn’t take anything from the package locker. The courier is monitored until he or she has left the building, and the resident is notified of their delivery by the command center by phone, email or text, whichever they have chosen for notification that a package has arrived and can pick up the package when they arrive home. No muss, no fuss, no Christmas tip. Smartphone Apps Some companies like provide users with an app for their smartphone that provides the user to opportunity to control their deliveries from anywhere. They can open and manage doors from any location. For example, according to their website, “ButterflyMX transforms any smartphone into a mobile video intercom system. Once the intercom has been installed in the building and the app has been downloaded, “Visitor calls from the intercom will come through the app as a video call wherever you are, so you can view the visitor before granting access to the building.” ButterflyMX’s system also provides for virtual keys, messaging options, and digital timestamps. These systems cost between $5,000 and about $7,000 to install, depending on specifications, building size, and other variables. Greg Cohen, President of Impact Management, a co-op and condominium management firm with offices in Manhattan, Westchester and Long Island, says a number of their clients in limited service buildings are using these types of systems and describes yet another iteration. “I saw the concept a few years ago on Shark Tank. It’s called doorman.co. It doesn’t cost the co-op anything. The recipient has packages shipped to doorman.co, and they deliver the package to the resident at a more convenient time. The company delivers late into the evening. The user pays a small fee per package.”
One Door Closes, A Virtual One Opens
Mann Publications | By Mahzabeen Alam Imagine walking into your building and a voice calls your name. You look around you, but there’s no one there. It’s your virtual doorman greeting you. No, there isn’t a hologram of a man or woman in concierge uniform, but instead a camera on the wall being monitored by remote personnel. Since the inception of virtual doormen almost two decades ago, many New Yorkers have been enjoying this perk. With the rise of technology, companies like Virtual Doorman, Cyberdoorman, and ButterflyMX are creating alternative methods to surveillance and concierge services. Luxury buildings, such as those in East Williamsburg, Woodside, Astoria, and the West Village are turning to remote services to offer security and safe delivery of resident packages. So, what does it mean to have a remote doorman? They essentially function like this: when a package arrives, the delivery person first makes contact with the command center and is directed to a locked storage room where they leave the package. The remote doorman carefully monitors the courier’s activity until he or she leaves the building, ascertaining the safety of the packages. But are remote doormen really revolutionary, or should we stick to the motto, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” Consistency and Surveillance For starters, it depends on what kind of condo/co-op building you’re trying to represent. The busy and bustling New Yorker might not be too bothered with substituting a physical doorman with a virtual one. The promise of privacy and non-judgmental looks as residents walk in with their grocery haul offers more than just physical security. Therefore, there is a sense of peace and freedom that a physical doorman can’t offer. Not only can residents rest easy knowing their packages have been delivered safely, but they can also appreciate the absence of someone watching their comings and goings. Then there’s the cost of rent. For those looking to save up for a vacation or perhaps already have a healthy spending habit, saving a few hundred bucks on rent would be a burden off their shoulders. Labor costs are high, and, in addition to the annual wage, New York etiquette requires doormen to receive regular tips. In the past, there have been threats of doormen going on strike over fair contracts. However, remote doormen eliminate this concern and allow tenants to put a nice extra chunk into your savings. And the perks continue: instead of being hired by building managers, remote doormen are simply recruited by security companies like Virtual Doorman, which offers stability not only for residents, but for the doorman as well. Residents wouldn’t have to walk down to the lobby one day only to find their doorman had been laid off the night before or impulsively decided to quit, leaving the building without security or a package delivery service. The Human Touch news The paradox with smart technology, such as the remote doorman, is that it can also be fragile at times. One technological malfunction can result in a total system shutdown, resulting in lost security, as the remote doorman is not there to reassure concerned residents. Power outages ranging between minor street-long ones to the infamous Summer 2003 blackout can be detrimental to all the amenities and security that remote doormen provide. Moreover, it wouldn’t take just a power outage to take down the system, but also internet disruptions. Something as minor as a loss of connection between the command center and the remote doorman can result in getting locked out of the building with no alternate way in. With how fickle technology can occasionally be, it would be uncertain as to how long residents have to wait to get in. This certainly wouldn’t be an issue with a physical doorman, who could take the place of a complex technological system. Besides offering support during blackouts, physical doormen provide something that a remote one can’t: a human touch. Beyond handling packages with a careful hand that random delivery people may lack, they take stock of tenants’ needs. In a city like New York, where we are constantly surrounded by people and yet barely acknowledge one another, doormen offer a way to be present. They are more than just a person opening the door for you or informing you of a package delivery—they are a friendly neighbor, a comrade who offers safety and lends an actual helping hand. The exciting new developments that percolate in apartment buildings can add to a comfortable and secure living environment, but, at the end of the day, it’s up to you as a manager to decide what makes your building complete.
Virtual Doorman: Real Savings.
Entrepreneur Regal Real Estate has selected Virtual Doorman (VDM), the remote doorman service bat provides traditional doorman services remotely, to offer services in four of its Manhattan properties, namely: 21 Maiden Lane, 33 Union Square, 9 East 16th Street and 112 Fulton Street. Regal ultimately plans to install VDM throughout its entire 22-multifamily building New York City, portfolio.