720 Modular keeps stacking success in the Maritimes
The company’s experts say the method is beginning to take off and they are preparing to expand their model beyond PEI.
Things are often easier the second time around.
This holds true in construction. The experts at 720 modular are making significant progress on the second six-storey building that make up phase two of P.E.I’s Malpeque apartment project.
They’ve already completed an 82-unit seniors’ apartment and this winter they successfully craned all modules into place for a 63-unit family-oriented building. And that’s despite getting hammered with some classic maritime weather.
Craig Mitchell, VP of Operations for 720, says the full craning process took about 22 days, a bit longer than expected as rain and high winds slowed things during the critical process.
“The main thing for us in modular construction is making sure that the modules remain weathertight during craning,” he explained. “Go slow to go fast. Take your time and do it right. This will absolutely improve the schedule at the back end.”
Over the past few years the company has honed its approach for the region, upskilling its team of partners and quarterbacking projects. For Malpeque, they’ve taken lessons learned from phase one and applied them to phase two.
“When you are talking about the efficiency of modular and how things can speed up with the same team and that repeatability model, building two for us was an example of that, not only lessons learned but being more efficient,” said Ferguson.
They also learned to adjust expectations while working in Maritime weather, focusing on closing up modules quickly and efficiently rather than trying to maximize how many can be set.
“With our methods, we are reducing the risk of exposure to mother nature,” said Ferguson. “In a traditional project build, we’d be on site for 24 months rather than the 4 to 6 months it takes on a modular project after modules land.”
Canada is only just starting to catch up to what Mitchell and Ferguson have been doing for decades. While major government programs are starting to create more demand for modular builds, experts are few and far between.
“There’s only a handful of us across Canada who are actually doing the size and scale of a Malpeque-type building,” said Mitchell. “We’ve got the experience and the lessons learned.”
Malpeque is part of a growing body of successful case studies that help make a compelling case for broader market adoption of modular construction. PEI has been a way for 720 to prove their own model: Partner with local builders and suppliers, provide guidance on the intricacies of modular construction, get some experience under the belt for these teams, and gain trust by executing project after project.
“PEI is an early adopter. They’re ambassadors in Eastern Canada for modern methods of construction,” said Ferguson, who added that they can now utilize these experienced teams to springboard into other nearby markets.
Despite there being only a handful of experienced modular experts in the nation, Ferguson and Mitchell are bullish on the approach. Their 2026 work pipeline is already filling up and they expect positive case studies to continue stacking up, something that could create a more compelling case for the private sector.
“Let’s face it, we need the private sector on board as they build 95% of all homes in Canada,” said Mitchell. “Let us show you what modular is all about. Let’s form partnerships, let’s start scaling up housing in this country.”