How can I lock the elevator to my new condo?

[glippy]

I have to agree this sounds like a bit of a non-issue. What's the difference if it's an electronic key to an elevator door that an elevator repairman can get through, or a mechanical key to a stairway door that far more people can get through?

If you're really concerned I'd go with a motion detection/burglar alarm/security camera setup rather than trying to figure out how to alter the elevator. Unless of course you keep $500k+ in cash sitting around the house. In that case I'd hire an armed guard.

[calmloki]

Here's a Chinese gentleman's response to an attempt to enter his home. Gotta be a young reporter, because the F word is used to a tiresome extent, rather than as humorous punctuation. Great clanking brass ones.

Badass of the Week: Yang Youde

[walkinwood]

A friend of mine has the same set up, but he has a door (a real door) that he can close & lock.

When the outer elevator doors open, instead of walking right in, you would be facing a regular door with a dead bolt. He usually leaves the door open - it opens all the way (180 degrees) and lays flat against the wall, so it is out of the way when not in use. But when he leaves for vacation, he closed & locked that door.

He is in NYC and has not had any incidents of unwanted people walking into his home.

[chris2008]

The real door behind the elevator door would be my option, too.

Please check with your insurance if the elevator system is regarded as proper protection of your properties. My former boss had the same key system that you describe and learned from his insurance (in Germany) that theft would not be covered if somebody manipulated the key system. So he went for the door behind the elevator door.
Insurance rules might be different where you live, but better make sure.

If someone comes as far as the elevator and has the ability to manipulate your elevator door, he would probably not spend valuable time to break your real door lock but would just manipulate the elevator door to another unprotected appartment.

[travelover]

I stayed at a B&B in Quito that was on the 4th floor. They had a locking door behind the second door system for security, so that must be the way to do it .

[Brat]

What Walkinwood said is the solution.