720 pioneers modular housing for the Maritimes

720 Modular has broken new ground on the East Coast, successfully delivering the region’s first complex, multi-storey modular housing projects.

For 720’s Founder and CEO Troy Ferguson and Project Development Partner Craig Mitchell, it wasn’t just an opportunity to create desperately needed homes for vulnerable people — it was a chance to act as ambassadors for the entire modular sector. The pair showcased how modular construction can rapidly deliver housing with efficiency and precision.

The opportunity came at a time when the modular industry was looking to diversify. With a slump in the oil and gas sector, demand for multi-unit commercial modular buildings had plummeted so Ferguson decided to pivot toward the growing demand for Canadian housing. The company was born in 2020 and was quickly engaged by the Canadian Mental Health Association in PEI and local stakeholders because of its experience delivering complex modular projects across the country.

Building local

As the first project of its kind in the region, 720 brought its west coast expertise to Prince Edward Island, a region that has been hit hard with housing shortages. All they needed was a willing team. 

“In modular construction in general it’s all about the strength of the team and the strength of the partners and so what we really wanted was a good collaborative team that was willing to try something new,” said Mitchell, who began connecting with companies. “They were all willing to give modular a try.”

Through 720’s progressive design-build delivery model, early feasibility discussions were translated into actionable modular solutions. The process began by evaluating site constraints, the target population, and the required unit mix. From there, 720 engaged its architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and site partners in a collaborative planning process that emphasized constructability, speed, and community integration.

“We’re bringing our design-build experience to a new market that really has never done modular,” said Mitchell. “It was an opportunity for us to teach.”

Staying on track

You can’t control everything on a construction project — some variables can threaten to derail budgets and timelines. Fitzroy was no different. But 720’s modular approach enabled the team to mitigate risk and maintain certainty for the client.

Partway through permitting, additional funding from the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CHMC) allowed the project to add a fourth floor with minimal delay, thanks to the flexibility of modular design. Permits were re-submitted and approved within two months.

Foundation work was completed before winter, while modules were built in a factory during the colder months. Once the weather cleared, 36 modules were craned into place over just seven days — including a rain delay — transforming an empty lot into a four-storey building in one week.

“Local residents had never seen this before,” said Mitchell. “There was just an empty lot but in a week there was a four-storey building. People were amazed.”

After erection, finishing work — including siding, electrical, and basement completion — took five more months. The full project, from contract award to occupancy, was completed in 14 months, just slightly beyond 720’s internal 12-month goal. Mitchell noted this was still a strong result for a first-time collaboration among a new consultant team, contractor, and owner.

“As builders, we talk a lot about product and process, but at the end of the day, it’s about people,” said Ferguson. “To know that our work is contributing to a safe, supportive space for women and vulnerable individuals is humbling. Our team takes that responsibility seriously, and we’re proud to be building not just homes, but opportunities for stability, dignity, and community.”

Rather than being a one-off, 720 hopes the Fitzroy project will serve as a positive case study that showcases the potential of modular construction when done right.

Leveraging experience

Ferguson and Mitchell have spent decades in modular construction, amassing a wide range of experience. Ferguson is a successful entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in modular housing, shelters, forestry, and hospitality in Canada and the U.S.

Mitchell has worked as an ambassador for modular for almost 30 years, leading numerous offsite manufacturing and on-site construction projects, specializing in affordable housing and multi-storey commercial developments.

Now, as they enter the back half of their careers, both want to put that experience to good use. 720 specializes exclusively in modular multifamily housing. Unlike many builders who retrofit modular into conventional processes, they’ve developed a process to leverage the advantages of modular, from concept to completion. 

“Modular is a process and you need a shepherd to guide the process,” said Ferguson. “That’s what was missing in the industry. And as a result, you got some poor case studies. Traditional site-build construction teams just didn’t have that offsite knowledge and the ability to look through a lens that could tie it all together and that really is what we have brought as a value proposition to the Maritimes, and the construction industry.”