Key takeaways
- Historic buildings require non-invasive access control solutions that strike a balance between modern security and preservation standards.
- ADA compliance is essential, even for properties built before 1993, and can be achieved with discreet tools like mobile credentials and keypads.
- Cloud-based platforms simplify credentialing, monitoring, and maintenance without the need for intrusive infrastructure.
- Choosing an experienced provider like ButterflyMX ensures your property remains secure, accessible, and historically authentic.
Preserving the character of a historic building while meeting today’s standards for security and accessibility is no small task. Property managers and owners must balance the need to protect residents and visitors with the responsibility of safeguarding irreplaceable architectural details.
This guide explores access control best practices for historic properties, from ADA compliance and building code requirements to choosing non-invasive security solutions that respect a property’s historical integrity.
Whether you manage a multifamily community, a gated estate, a commercial office, or an industrial site with historic designation, the right approach to an access control system ensures your building remains both secure and true to its original character.
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Video Intercoms
Open doors, gates & garages from anywhere.
QR Code Intercom
Smartphone-based visitor access.
Access Control
Fob, key cards, PINs, and mobile apps.
Security Cameras
Visibility throughout your property.
Vehicle Access
Hands-free access for gates & garages.
Package Room
Receive, store, and manage deliveries.
Smart Locks
Connect to all major brands and models.
Elevator Controls
Unlock key-fobbed elevators for anyone.
Front Desk Station
See all your doors and cameras in one place.
What makes access control in historic buildings unique?
Managing access control in historic properties presents challenges that are distinct from those encountered in newer buildings. Property managers must find solutions that enhance security and accessibility without compromising the building’s architectural integrity.
First, security needs must be balanced with preservation rules. Buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places or protected under local landmark designations often face strict limitations on what modifications can be made. This means any access control system has to be installed in a way that protects both the structure and its historic character.
Second, structural limitations make upgrades more complex. Older properties weren’t designed with modern wiring, hardware, or server rooms in mind. Drilling into stone façades, ornate woodwork, or antique brickwork can cause permanent damage. That’s why wireless, cloud-based, and minimally invasive solutions are especially valuable for historic buildings.
Finally, accessibility requirements add another layer of complexity. While the ADA requirements for buildings built before 1993 may allow for some exemptions, property managers must still ensure that entrances, ramps, and access points meet modern accessibility standards. Choosing technology that supports touchless entry, mobile credentials, and simple integrations can help historic properties remain both compliant and welcoming to all.
Best practices for access control in historic buildings
Upgrading security in a historic property requires more than simply installing the latest technology. To preserve architectural integrity while meeting modern security and accessibility needs, property managers should follow a thoughtful, step-by-step approach.
Six best practices for installing access control in historic buildings:
- Conduct a site assessment
- Prioritize non-invasive installations
- Ensure ADA compliance and accessibility
- Integrate access for multiple entry types
- Preserve aesthetics while enhancing security
- Leverage cloud-based management
1. Conduct a site assessment
Before selecting any technology, start with a comprehensive site assessment. This should include identifying current vulnerabilities, understanding preservation restrictions, and mapping out how people move through the property.
Preventive conservation strategies, such as regular maintenance and discreet retrofits, can help minimize long-term damage to the building. Importantly, property managers should partner with certified installers who are familiar with building codes for existing and historic buildings to ensure compliance and avoid costly mistakes.
2. Prioritize non-invasive installations
Historic buildings often cannot withstand invasive construction or major alterations. That’s why wireless, cloud-based access control systems are ideal: they reduce the need for drilling into walls or running new wiring. Non-intrusive solutions like video intercoms and QR code entry systems deliver modern access control without disrupting historic facades or interiors.
For example, the ButterflyMX Video Intercom System or QR Code Intercom offers secure, user-friendly entry while maintaining the original character of the building.
3. Ensure ADA compliance and accessibility
Accessibility is just as important as security. But in historic properties, it must be achieved without erasing the building’s character. When designing ramps, entrances, and other access points, property managers should prioritize solutions that meet ADA standards while preserving key historic details. Electronic keypads and mobile-based entry provide accessible options without requiring visible or intrusive retrofits.
4. Integrate access for multiple entry types
Historic properties often serve multiple user groups, residents, staff, visitors, and delivery drivers, each requiring different access points. Securing just the main entrance isn’t enough. Property managers should ensure vehicle gates, staff entrances, and resident/visitor doors all operate under the same access control system.
With solutions like the ButterflyMX Vehicle Access Control and Front Desk Station, you can create a comprehensive security framework that streamlines entry management across all access points.
5. Preserve aesthetics while enhancing security
One of the biggest challenges in securing historic buildings is blending modern technology with timeless architecture. To achieve this, wiring and devices should be concealed whenever possible, and hardware should complement, not detract from, the building’s design.
Sleek, minimal solutions such as the ButterflyMX Keypad provide discreet yet effective access control, making them an excellent choice for retrofits in historically significant properties.
6. Leverage cloud-based management
Onsite servers and heavy infrastructure rarely align with the limitations of historic properties. Cloud-based management platforms allow property managers to issue credentials, monitor activity, and adjust permissions remotely without requiring a dedicated server room.
This approach reduces long-term maintenance costs while avoiding large-scale structural changes that could compromise a building’s historical integrity.
Discover how ButterflyMX Access Control works:
Evaluating solutions: historic building restrictions vs. modern security
When upgrading access control in historic properties, managers must navigate a complex set of restrictions. Historic landmarks often come with strict guidelines that limit the types of modifications allowed. For example, you may be prohibited from altering exterior facades, drilling into original stone or brickwork, or replacing materials that define the building’s historic character. Interior alterations can also be restricted, particularly in lobbies, staircases, or other architecturally significant spaces.
These requirements make it essential to balance security upgrades with preservation standards. Property managers must select systems that deliver modern convenience, such as mobile credentials, visitor management, and remote monitoring, while ensuring installations remain discreet and reversible. Cloud-based, non-invasive solutions like video intercoms or keypads help strike this balance, protecting the building’s integrity while enhancing safety for everyone who enters.
How to choose the right access control provider for historic buildings
Not every access control provider has experience working with historic properties. Choosing the wrong one can create unnecessary headaches or costly mistakes. When evaluating providers, start by looking for those with a proven track record of navigating historic property restrictions. They should understand how to install systems without damaging original materials or violating preservation guidelines.
It’s also important to select a provider whose solutions integrate seamlessly with other building systems, such as cameras, intercoms, and visitor management platforms. This ensures that your property’s security is both comprehensive and easy to manage, even across multiple entry points.
ButterflyMX offers non-invasive, cloud-based access control solutions specifically designed to balance preservation with modern convenience. From video intercoms and keypads to vehicle access and front desk management, our platform helps property managers protect history while securing the future.
Questions to ask your provider:
- Have you worked with historic or landmarked properties before?
- How do your systems comply with preservation standards?
- Can your solutions integrate with my existing intercoms, cameras, or management software?
- What options do you offer for non-invasive or wireless installations?
- How do you handle ADA accessibility requirements in older buildings?
Access control for historic buildings FAQs
- What design details should be considered when adding an accessibility ramp to a historic property?
- What is preventive conservation of historic buildings?
- What are some ways to preserve old buildings?
- What are the methods of historic preservation?
What design details should be considered when adding an accessibility ramp to a historic property?
When adding a ramp, property managers should follow ADA guidelines for slope and width while selecting materials that blend with the building’s architecture. For example, stone, brick, or metal railings that match existing features help preserve the property’s historic character. Whenever possible, ramps should be placed in discreet locations that do not compromise the appearance of prominent facades.
What is preventive conservation of historic buildings?
Preventive conservation involves proactive maintenance and non-invasive upgrades that extend the life of a historic property. This can include repairing small cracks before they expand, sealing surfaces against weather damage, or installing wireless access control systems that don’t require drilling into original walls. The goal is to reduce deterioration while minimizing physical intervention.
What are some ways to preserve old buildings?
Preservation strategies include performing regular maintenance, choosing non-invasive retrofits, and adopting modern systems that protect without altering historic features. For example, cloud-based access control and video intercoms add security without bulky hardware. These approaches maintain the building’s function while respecting its original design.
What are the methods of historic preservation?
There are four main methods of historic preservation:
- Preservation. Maintaining and repairing existing features with minimal change.
- Rehabilitation. Updating buildings for modern use while retaining historic elements.
- Restoration. Returning a property to a specific time period in its history.
- Adaptive reuse. Repurposing an old building for a new function, such as converting a warehouse into multifamily housing.
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