Dear AT,
I'm looking for some good-looking mailboxes to add to our front entry. I'm on our HOA board, and we all agree that we need to have secure boxes for larger parcels, since it's quite a trek to the post office to pick up larger items. It would have to accommodate at least the size of a shoe box.
As you can see from the photos, our individual mailboxes are only large enough for letters and small catalogs. Our magazines get mangled in the process!
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Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
We could have the post office install cluster parcel boxes at no cost but they would have to be outside (and ugly). Rather, we all agree we want to complement the style and era of our building (1949 or late Art Deco if that's a style!) I mean, see how cute our building is? We don't want to mar that with standard issue!
I found 
Ooh! How exciting! Thanks for posting my question.
I might add that we will probably install 3 or 4 of the larger boxes when we find them.
If you look at ALL PICS you'll see where we would install them.
We're a small association... 22 units... but we're very proud and friendly homeowners.
Thanks!
CC
You are going to have to keep in mind that you will have to meet the USPS requirements for any mailboxes that they will be servicing. There are any number of "cheesy" mailboxes from the like of mailboxes.com, but I would think that higher end hardware companies might carry something nicer that meets the requirements. Are you thinking of one for everyone? Or one for each tenant?
You can check here; they're not what I'd call comely, but they're functional and come in a variety of sizes (and are USPS approved)
http://www.saveyourmail.com/category/z.saveyourmail.300_commercial_mailboxes.300_apartment_or_multiple_unit_mailboxes/
D'oh--sorry about that link!
I'm heading up a foyer renovation project for our 16-unit condo and we're searching for the same thing! (We only wish our existing mailboxes were nice vintage ones--they're just cheap replacements put in when the building was going through its skid row phase.) Our boxes are only big enough for one day's letters and no magazines or catalogs, so our steps have become our overflow mailboxes.
One factor I'm finding that complicates replacing multi-unit mailboxes with new ones (let alone new ones with nice styling) is that the USPS regulates their design, and new standards just went into effect in October. These require each unit's box to be at least 12x3x16, and they withdraw approval for top-loading vertical boxes like so many of us have. (The new standards are the first changes since the 70s and they're to account for the kind of problems you and we are both having--greater volume of mail, greater variation in size of mail, more catalogs and magazines; also increased need for security against identity theft and need for ADA compliance.)
As an older building that's not doing a major renovation, you're grandfathered in so technically you don't have to meet the new standards with your replacement mailboxes. (fyi mailboxes that meet the new standards are called "4C"; those that only meet the older standards are "4B/4B+.") But practically speaking, you're still affected by the new regulations because the manufacturers have had to shift to making the new boxes, so while they still have the old ones, what you see is what you'll get--the old designs aren't going to be changed or made more interesting.
The new 4C boxes require a lot of wall depth for installation (17"!), so we don't know yet if we can accomodate them in our foyers, but if we can we'll probably choose something like these:
http://www.auth-florence.com/products/mailboxes/4/1135/
They're very plain in their lines, but they come in different finishes and I think powder-coated bronze will take enough of the modern edge off to make them acceptable in our vintage foyers.
There are also these brass ones, which have an old-fashioned 1940s bank look which could work for you. (The url is super long so you'll probably have to cut and paste.)
http://www.mailboxes.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=Mailboxes&category%5Fname=Brass+Mailboxes&Page=1&FromCategory=Yes&parent_category_name=
If you love your old boxes and your main problem is that there's too much mail overflow, you might consider installing a complimentary set of the new 4C "package lockers", which are basically just a big single mailbox. These can be used for parcels or for overflow mail. If you were required to meet the 4C standard, you'd have to have one of these for each 10 mailboxes--just to give you an idea of how many you might need.
Good luck--I'll follow up if I find anything new!
Thanks ocgirl, but that's what we're trying to avoid - As mentioned above, we want something to complement the style of the building. We can get generic from the post office.
see the style influence by clicking my name for the link.
And DN, yes, I've talked to the USPS - and as long as we can lock the boxes and provide them access - it's totally doable
Rather than one per tenant, we think 3 or 4 oversized boxes will accomodate most of us on a daily basis.
It'll be just like the cluster boxes in most apt buildings... where the carrier leaves a key to the parcel bin... then the key stays int lock for the carrier to retrieve the next day. It's standard procedure.
But if we went with the homely cluster boxes we'd have to put them outside - or they'd make us put it further inside the building where there is secured access. We don't want to deal with that...and it sounds like they'll accomodate your wishes if you foot the bill.
Thanks Diana... I was composing when you posted...
Hmm. I may have to talk to the post office again to evaluate the new standards.
Maybe we can install the parcel boxes in the laundry room but I doubt they'd like that being divided into two areas.
We'll keep looking.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Keep em coming.
I've also thought about checking an architectural salvage place to see what we can find.
Not that I haven't already said enough about mailboxes, but if all you really need is a secure place for parcels and extra mail, one idea we've had is to get a couple of the new 4C parcel lockers and have them built into a freestanding wood case. We haven't run it by the post office yet, though, so we're not 100% sure they'll allow it. There are plenty of metal freestanding parcel boxes out there, though, so we think it's at least possible.
I hope I didn't confuse the issue talking about the new regulations--old buildings like ours are grandfathered in so we're not required to get new-style boxes unless we want them. Our main problem right now is that the old-style boxes are all the same size as what we have already, so replacing them won't solve our space problems.
A Swedish "Post" mailbox is perfect for two to three apartments to share. They measure 14" tall x 9" wide x 4" deep and cost $49. But their look (and size) are the most impressive! Have a look here:
http://www.mailboxnet.com/wall/swedish.html
I'm Swedish and have always kept my eye out for one her in the states, only recently finding one at an Andersonville Swedish Market for only 25 bucks.
It's the perfect size for me and my downstairs neighbor to share, plus we have our respective companies also on the label. On average, it fits three-four magazines, a bunch of bills, and a whole-lotta clutter mail no problem. Today all of the aforementioned was in it, plus a huge amazon-book-order package, which only meant the lid wouldn't close!
I got it for exactly the same reason you have and both I and my neighbors are fully pleased. Only problem is making sure the Chicago Postal workers pay attention to the label >:(
OH! Martin, that's cute!
It would be great, but we're looking for something to fit parcels... you know the boxes they'll take back to the post office if you're not home.
Maybe I'll see if someone can customize.
thanks for all suggestions.
ok. one more try.... still with the same "Swedish" theme only this time with locks! yay!! (tho i'm sure still not what ur looking for :(
http://www.mailboxnet.com/locking/mb470mb471.html
but when you say a parcel box they'll take back to the post office, I think of the large, handled, white, corrugated boxes that say "Property of the US Post Office" and I can't for the life of me think of a mailbox which can handle those!@! ;)
good luck!
Oh. I understand your confusion now.
What I mean to say is that... the post office will not leave a package for a resident if it is not secure. (security against theft and identity theft) So anything over the size of a magazine goes back to the post office and we have to trek miles away to retrieve it.
Consider the box of new checkbooks, a package you ordered from Amazon.com... the birthday present your friend sent you from out of state.
We need some parcel boxes, that lock, that will hold something the size of a shoe box (or bigger) but shoe box sized would cover a lot of random parcels... so that we don't have to constantly drive out of the way (our post office could not be more inconveniently located - and some of us don't have cars. Public transportation isn't even close to perfected in Denver - that would probably be a 1.5 hour trip!!!) to pick up what could have been left when the carrier brought it by.
Does that clarify?
gotcha! totally clarified!!
the last one i suggested maybe fits the bill: it's got a lock and it's 16x11x5 which is pretty big (i think it's bigger than the one you mentioned earlier) - plus it's still pretty cute (and rectangular - who doesn't love rectangles!?!)
i linked to it again in my name.
that;s it for me... good luck!