McNab Invests in ModnPods to Scale SEQ Modular Housing
McNab has taken a strategic investment stake in Gold Coast-based modular manufacturer ModnPods, positioning the partnership to industrialise housing delivery across South East Queensland through a co-developed proprietary medium-rise modular system.
McNab joins QIC, the Arc31 family office of Cathie Reid AM and Stuart Giles, alongside ModnPods founder Christie and the broader leadership team as investors in the business.
ModnPods will continue to manufacture its established range of modular homes including single storey dwellings, duplexes and terrace housing, which remain a core part of the company’s production pipeline.
McNab chief executive Kunjan Ganatra said “independent data confirms Australia’s housing undersupply is structural rather than cyclical, with systemic supply constraints unlikely to ease without productivity reform”.
“Labour shortages and cost volatility will continue to challenge traditional construction delivery models. At McNab, when we see sustained systemic pressure in the market, we respond with strategy and investment—and this partnership is a clear example of that.”
The move follows two years of joint investment in modular design development, global research and Queensland compliance frameworks—work that Ganatra said had overcome the design and regulatory barriers that have historically constrained modular construction, particularly in the medium-rise segment.
“Together McNab and ModnPods have co-developed a proprietary medium-rise modular system and, by investing in ModnPods, we are now poised to industrialise housing delivery in Queensland while creating local jobs and unlocking faster, more certain project outcomes.”
Ganatra said the investment went beyond a passive financial stake. Rather than simply taking an equity position, McNab gains direct operational access to a manufacturing platform spanning social and affordable housing, build-to-rent and residential projects.
Medium-rise solutions are now part of that capability, alongside ModnPods’ established range of single homes, duplexes, terraces and low-rise housing.
He said modular construction represented an additional delivery pathway rather than a replacement for conventional methods.
“Modular construction enables us to deliver homes faster and with consistent quality, while expanding the types of projects we can support,” Ganatra said.
“Importantly, this sits alongside our traditional construction model—the two approaches are complementary and together expand our ability to deliver housing at scale.”
ModnPods chairman Stuart Giles welcomed the partnership amid strong market demand for faster, more certain delivery models across social and affordable housing.
“ModnPods has built its reputation delivering high-quality modular homes, and those markets remain incredibly important to our business,” Giles said.
“This partnership allows us to continue growing those core areas while also developing the capability to deliver larger projects over time.
“Having McNab come on board brings significant operational capability, a wealth of delivery experience and valuable industry relationships — combined with our established manufacturing facility and technical expertise, this positions us to expand in response to growing demand.”
QIC Private Equity head of Asia Pacific Crystal Russell said the partnership reflected growing conviction in modular construction as a scalable response to Queensland’s housing supply challenges.
“QIC has a clear mandate to invest in innovative local businesses that can lift productivity and deliver meaningful impact for Queenslanders,” Russell said.
“There is no greater economic and social impact than delivering more housing, and vertical modular solutions are proving increasingly important to addressing structural supply constraints.
“Partnering with an established national contractor of McNab’s calibre provides ModnPods with the operational capacity to elevate their product offering and scale to a multistorey model.”
Modules will be manufactured locally on the Gold Coast, supporting regional employment through factory-based construction and enabling a more diverse workforce.
The investment follows recent momentum for ModnPods, including a contract to deliver 29 affordable modular homes across North Stradbroke Island for the North Stradbroke Island Aboriginal and Islanders Housing Co-Operative.
“This investment reinforces our long-term strategy to modernise construction, drive productivity reform and ultimately deliver homes faster for Queenslanders,” Giles said.
The Urban Developer is proud to partner with McNab and ModnPods to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.
