Overview
Meadowstone Apartments partnered with Grand Rapids Tech to deploy a modern, property‑wide access control and networking upgrade spanning eight residential buildings. The goal: create a reliable, secure, and scalable ecosystem that improves resident experience, strengthens community security, and sets the foundation for long‑term smart‑property capabilities.
This project combined enterprise‑grade access control, WiFi 7 infrastructure, high‑availability power systems, and cloud‑managed network architecture to deliver a future‑proof solution sized for hundreds of daily users.
The Challenge
Meadowstone Apartments needed a unified security and networking system across new and existing buildings. Key requirements included:
- Replacing outdated intercom and lock hardware
- Adding secure, credential‑based access for residents
- Expanding wireless coverage across indoor and outdoor common areas
- Linking all buildings via a central UniFi cloud‑managed environment
- Simplifying management for onsite staff while enhancing resident convenience
The complexity increased across older buildings where retrofits required carefully routed direct‑burial cabling, recessed utility box installations, and integration with varied construction styles.
Our Solution
1. Enterprise Network Core
To anchor the entire property network, Building E—serving as the MDF—received an enterprise‑class rack and controller stack, including:
- UniFi UDM Pro cloud gateway
- 24‑Port UniFi Pro Max PoE Switch
- 1500VA CyberPower Rackmount UPS
- 12TB Western Digital Purple Pro surveillance‑grade storage
This ensured high throughput, clean power, and centralized device management for all buildings on site.
2. WiFi 7 Coverage (Indoor + Outdoor)
To support residents, intercoms, and access systems, we deployed a mix of:
- UniFi U7 Outdoor APs for long‑range, weatherproof coverage
- UniFi WiFi 7 Pro APs for high‑density indoor spaces
This created a seamless, high‑speed wireless mesh capable of supporting hundreds of simultaneous devices.
3. Property‑Wide Access Control Expansion
Across all buildings, we installed a modern, cloud‑managed access control environment built around:
- UniFi Enterprise Access Hub (Building E)
- UniFi Access Door Hub Mini (15 units for other buildings)
- UniFi Access Reader G3 Flex units for secure NFC, keypad, and mobile credential entry
- UniFi Intercom Terminals (17 units) for resident/visitor communication
- Electric strikes and keyed lever locksets for 12 new door installations
All hardware supports multi‑credential access (PIN, NFC card, mobile app, and Apple Touch Pass), giving residents a modern, frictionless entry experience.
4. Low‑Voltage + Electrical Work
Our team handled all low‑voltage cabling, termination, testing, labeling, and device mounting according to TIA‑B and NEC standards, including:
- Direct‑burial outdoor Cat6 between buildings
- 18/2 runs for electronic strikes
- New recessed utility boxes in six older buildings
- Coordination with a licensed electrical subcontractor for new outlets at each utility box location
This ensured long‑term reliability and clean installations across diverse building ages and layouts.
5. Resident Safety & Power Continuity
To guard against outages and ensure building access stays online, each building received:
- Slim‑profile CyberPower UPS units
- Centralized battery banks for the Access Hub in Building E
This reduces downtime and preserves access operations even during utility interruptions.
Training & Handover
Grand Rapids Tech provided:
- On‑site staff training
- System documentation
- Remote‑management setup within the UniFi ecosystem
Staff can now monitor entries, update permissions, and manage intercom calls from a central, cloud‑based dashboard.
The Results
With this project, Meadowstone Apartments now benefits from:
✔ Modern, resident‑friendly access control
Cloud‑managed, smartphone‑compatible systems enhance both security and convenience.
✔ Uniform security across all buildings
Older structures are now brought up to the same standard as new construction.
✔ Property‑wide WiFi 7 coverage
Outdoor and indoor connectivity dramatically improves resident experience and supports future smart‑building upgrades.
✔ Centralized management
Property staff can view logs, change permissions, and manage intercoms instantly from anywhere.
✔ Future‑ready infrastructure
High‑bandwidth fiber‑backed network hardware and clean power architecture set the foundation for years of scalability.
Project Snapshot
- Buildings Served - 8
- Access Control Devices Installed - 30+ (Intercoms, Readers, Door Hubs)
- Network Hardware - UDM Pro, Pro Max Switch, WiFi 7 Indoor/Outdoor APs
- Power Systems- Rackmount UPS + 8 slim UPS units
- Completion - Delivered per estimate
