Utah’s first modular apartment complex set to open in January

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Utah’s first modular apartment complex was set today, marking another step toward providing transitional housing for more individuals.

Approximately two years ago, Irontown Modular and The Other Side Village agreed to collaborate on a modular apartment complex, in an effort to provide more low-income housing at a higher quality. Modular buildings are constructed in a factory, before being moved and assembled on site.

According to Irontown Modular, which has been working in modular building for 40 years, the modular building process saves time, is more sustainable, and keeps costs down in comparison to traditional building.

Photo Credit: Kelly Wiebe//KTVX

Construction began on this apartment complex in a factory in January of 2025. The modules are being stacked this week, and it should open for occupancy in January of 2026, just 12 months after the project was started.

The apartment building features 32 two-bedroom apartments and will be four stories. It will also have community gathering spaces and an elevator.

Human Impact

The Other Side Village works to provide transitional housing for individuals in their addiction recovery program and will be using this new apartment complex “to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness and addiction into stable, purposeful living.”

The complex will be called a Prep School and will reportedly provide housing that emphasizes accountability, while encouraging residents to prepare for independent living and develop life skills where necessary.

This complex has also been an exciting project for Irontown Modular to work on.

“It’s going to be a really good thing to change lives for individuals. Us being the builder or the factory building these units is a very special thing,” Valgardson said, “We don’t always get to participate in high human interest projects like that. So, we’re very excited as a company to be part of it.”

“We’re excited to get those homes occupied,” Valgardson added.

Building Process

The modular building has reduced the time that building an apartment complex typically takes, reportedly taking seven months of site construction rather than the usual 18 months.

“Modular isn’t just faster, it’s smarter and greener,” said Kam Valgardson, the president of Irontown Modular. “In the factory, we track and reuse every leftover piece of material. Nothing gets rained on, stolen, or wasted. When resources are this expensive and valuable, efficiency becomes a form of stewardship.”

“This project is similar to a site-build project in cost, but the time savings reduce the cost of the whole project…this will be an $8 million project,” Valgardson added.

Reportedly, this project also went well, with experienced builders and designers working on it. Valgardson did say that they hope to continue to reduce the time and cost necessary for modular builds.

“We always want it to be a little faster and a little less expensive. Every time we’re trying to shave it off,” He said, “As we do more of these projects, the cost will come down.”