Watch CBS News

Seen At 11: Luxury Lockdown Rooms Hiding In Plain Sight

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- We all want to feel safe at home, but how far should we go to ensure that security?

CBS2's Dana Tyler took a look at a new building trend that involves fortified rooms hiding in plain sight.

Alan Wilzig is a former bank owner who lives in high style -- and with high security.

"I never had a threat against me or a reason to have one. It was done out of an abundance of concern," he said.

Wilzig is talking about his fortified TriBeCa townhouse. There's bullet-proof glass on the exterior.

"It's a ballistic polymer," he added.

And of course, a safe room.

"The walls have two layers of Kevlar sheeting, the same material they use for bullet-proof vests; a security peep hole, you're seeing 180 degrees; a 1,700 pound door...five deadbolts," Wilzig said.

And all of that is incorporated into the design of his bedroom.

The panic room has come a long way since the 2002 of the same name.

"You don't have to make it look like a bunker. It's just certain things they do to the room to secure it," said security expert Joe Giacalone.

Giacalone said the newest high-end panic or safe rooms are designed to be hidden in plain sight.

"It just depends on how much money you have," he said.

About $48 million will buy you an exquisite West Side triplex with one distinctive feature.

"Panic rooms; we have three on each floor," said Brian Chan.

Two of them are powder rooms, there's been no sacrifice in design for the bullet-proof doors, ultra heavy hinges and multiple locks, and then there's the closet.

"I'm struggling cause it's heavy," Chan explained.

The door weighs several thousand pounds, including its secure lock.

Tom Gaffney installs safe rooms and said he's busier than ever in spite of the high cost of high-style security.

"It can go from $200,000 to $1 million; depends on the size of the room, depends on the ballistic, forced entry level," Gaffney said.

Gaffney's business has come a long way from installing bullet-proof glass in check cashing stores. Now it's designer bullet-proof doors and state of the art walls, not to mention the latest in bullet-proof glass.

"For a lot of people, it's a sense of security. They may have it and never use it, but it's there," Gaffney said.

There are more affordable and accessible safety measures that can be taken as well, including home alarm and surveillance systems for inside and outside.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.