ANC announced the installation of the final modular units at the Canadian Helen Keller Centre’s (CKHC) new residence and training facility at 150 Eighth Street in Toronto. This new housing project will deliver 56 affordable and accessible homes in Toronto’s west end, providing a safe and inclusive living environment for individuals who are DeafBlind and others with general disabilities.

The final five modules, completing a stairwell on the side of the building, were recently craned into place, completing a multi-phase installation that began only weeks ago. Once complete, the new facility will provide accessible housing and services for individuals who are DeafBlind, offering a fully inclusive and supportive environment in the heart of Etobicoke.

“This is a milestone moment—not just for the project, but for what it represents in terms of speed, precision, and community impact,” said Andrew Neill, President and CEO of ANC. “By fabricating modules off-site while preparing the foundation and steel structure on-site, we’ve been able to compress the construction timeline from a traditional 20–24 months to just over a year.”

Modular construction brings key advantages to urban infill projects like the CHKC development. By manufacturing modules off-site in a controlled environment, ANC was able to maintain high-quality standards while streamlining the construction process. This approach allowed for parallel workstreams—foundation and steel structure on-site, module fabrication off-site—resulting in a much faster build and reduced on-site activity.

Construction began in October 2024 and remains on track for a 12-month delivery. The accelerated schedule means future residents and service providers can move in sooner—an essential outcome given the urgent demand for accessible, supportive housing.

The CHKC project is part of a growing portfolio of modular and hybrid construction builds completed or underway by ANC across sectors including residential buildings, commercial spaces, academic institutions, and support buildings for industrial applications. The company continues to explore advanced techniques—such as Void Form technology for taller structures in seismic or extreme weather zones—that offer further efficiencies and performance benefits.

“Timely access to accessible and supportive housing is critical for people who are DeafBlind,” said Jennifer Robbins, Chief Executive Officer, CHKC. “This new facility at 150 Eighth Street will provide 56 affordable, accessible homes and dedicated space for essential services. The accelerated construction timeline means we can begin supporting residents and delivering programs sooner, which is essential given the current demand.”

ANC will continue to share project progress as final interior work and exterior finishing continue through the remainder of the year. The Canadian Helen Keller Centre’s new facility is expected to open its doors in late 2025. 

For more information on ANC, visit www.ancgroup.ca.