Why doesn't LEGO make skyscraper sets ???

[Brick Miner]

this thread was inspired by Ales54 comment in his city evolution thread...

It's a good way to build skyscrapers Section8, but I don't like those building so much (maybe because they are not in the european culture...)

i've recently become fascinated with the idea of building skyscrapers from LEGOs... i know a lot of people have done it, but i in the past, i've always stuck to what i liked as a kid, history inspired themes.

believe it or not, i was actually re-inspired by the Wayne Manor MOC in the haunted houses thread.

its funny, cause when i look at my other interests in life (outside of LEGO), and i don't see any pirates, islanders, cowboys or indians (there is a little ancient egyptian interest)... but what i do see is an interest in modern architecture and city planning/layout. strange hu ??? but i don't really care for transportation or police station or hospital architecture... where are the cool things... like towering high-rises ???

so i ask, why doesn't LEGO make skyscraper sets ???

is it because (as alex mentioned) that type of architecture doesn't encompass all the cultures that it is marketing to ????

is it because the sets would be too expensive ???

open discussion.

- BrickMiner

[Kikuichimonji]

The reason is pretty simple: kids won't like them. Skyscrapers have a playability factor of 0. That, and I guess they would end up pretty expensive since they'd use lots of bricks.

Don't forget that Lego's main market still consists of kids ;-)

[snefroe]

because they're boring and not attractive to kids... personally, i don't see why people like them, really. they very often are only impressive in terms of size, but usually lack any interior and aren't a huge challenge in terms of building, compared to copying a classic building like a cathedral

[xwingyoda]

Personnally I love those very much ;-)

I discovered NYC as a very young kid and ever since I am hooked on those, especially after seeing the Empire State, the Chrysler Tower and the "RIP" WTC

And don't forget, I was raised in front of the Eiffel Tower which is not a tower per se but its still pretty high !!

To come back to your question BM, I fully concur with Kiku !! I would add pricing as another determinent factor ;-)

The only way this can be done is doing it as a kind of "UCS" set !! UCS in its size and price, but more or less MF size (doors and windows): I uggested this already: a UCS of the most famous monuments and that can be achieved in MF scale !!

*yoda*

[highlandcattle]

Personnally I love those very much ;-)

I discovered NYC as a very young kid and ever since I am hooked on those, especially after seeing the Empire State, the Chrysler Tower and the "RIP" WTC

And don't forget, I was raised in front of the Eiffel Tower which is not a tower per se but its still pretty high !!

To come back to your question BM, I fully concur with Kiku !! I would add pricing as another determinent factor ;-)

The only way this can be done is doing it as a kind of "UCS" set !! UCS in its size and price, but more or less MF size (doors and windows): I uggested this already: a UCS of the most famous monuments and that can be achieved in MF scale !!

*yoda*

I would love to see somebody do that make a Town/City skycraper that lego would actually be able to sell!

[Brick Miner]

The only way this can be done is doing it as a kind of "UCS" set !! UCS in its size and price, but more or less MF size (doors and windows): I uggested this already: a UCS of the most famous monuments and that can be achieved in MF scale !!

yes, the UCS don't seem to be targeted for kids, and have little playability factor (no minifigs !!!). that is why i could see dismissing those two reasons, and look for another more prominent conclusion.

as for the price... hmmm... i was thinking LEGO could handle it like the BSB and then SES. like they could have one on the market at a time, then replace it with 1 new tower every 2-3 years... but that is probably only something that could happen in a market like we had 15 years ago.

skyscrapers would bring me to town, and that is the bottom line ;-)

i have always been a fan of the architectural movement, and i think it

[Minifig Lecturer]

Skyscrapers attract planes.

[alex54]

Happy to inspirate a new topic!

Seriously, like said Xwingyoda and Kiku, the first reason TLC will not give us some skycrapers is the price. A UCS series would be find, but a minifig line would probably not be a success with the kids. And even if the european culture doesn't have the same regard with those skycrapers, that couldn't influence TLC decisions. Just look the Nick sets example :'-( , we can't buy them in Europe (even if we know those two show!) or the Dino attack/2010, TLC knows how to target its markets.

[Brick Miner]

doesn't it seem wrong that they are displayed on the box art backgrounds, but are never realized as sets ???

and what is the construction crane actually building ??? does it have to be so tall if its just building gas stations :-D

- BrickMiner

[skinkfem]

and what is the construction crane actually building ??? does it have to be so tall if its just building gas stations :-D

- BrickMiner

i hope you`re not dissing the tower crane, then i must qualify you as an heretic and purge you with fire.

(kidding)

i intend to use the crane to assemble the monorail track (at least for now) since half the towns transports

cant pass under something less than 20 bricks high.

and to stay on topic.

it would be great to have an official sky scraper, minifig size but labelled as an ultimate collector series

or if thats to much of a fuss then perhaps an online only version.

then theres always factory to consider i assume. but so far ive only seen backdrop models and nothing aqtually

playable. i would build one myself but i cant stand that program. im still stuck on that slave market im

building and that design was very simplistic.

[Brick Miner]

i hope you`re not dissing the tower crane, then i must qualify you as an heretic and purge you with fire.

(kidding)

no, not dissing it... i love it... it just seems to have no purpose with no towers for it to build ;-)

then theres always factory to consider i assume. but so far ive only seen backdrop models and nothing aqtually playable. i would build one myself but i cant stand that program. im still stuck on that slave market im building and that design was very simplistic.

yes, this seems to be the only way to go (digitally) with skycraper design... im considering restaring a design in Ldraw (i started one about 5 months ago, but deleted the file, it sucked). i mean, to go at a skyscraper with just raw bricks would be expensive... (just like its really life counterparts) a project that size needs a blue print to keep costs down ;-)

- Brick Miner

[phoinix]

there are so many beautyful buildings in this world that lego could release as a collector and you guys are talking about sky scrapers?

are you telling me you would rather see something like this

than this?

or this?

what we need is some beauty in our cities and not some huge annatractive glass tower!

[oo7]

In this thread we're discussing why lego doesn't make skyscrapers, and Xwingyoda not only pointed out that Lego could make UCS skyscapers but he said that he loves them becuase of NYC. Must I remind you that Lego has produced not only "UCS" Skyscrapers, but NYC UCS skyscrapers?

[Mr. Lego-builder]

I would definately love to see skyscrapers. But I think the reason why LEGO would not make them is that:

1) The low appeal and as it can be seen from some of the replies in this thread that many people think of it as just a block of transparent LEGO pieces. Unless there is alot of action/playability involved, the target audience (children) would not want to buy them.

2) The High Price. If you examine all of the CITY or town models in the past years, none of them can be considered quite as skyscapers, and the prices weren't sky-high either. If LEGO would make these skyscapers, it would have a high piece count and this will drive up the price by quite a bit. And do not forget about the box, it a small set already have oversized boxes, imagine what a skycraper set would have as a box in terms of size...

And lastly, I think the pictures that are provided do not make a good comparison. The are many other better (both in design and functionality) skyscapers built by AFOL's than the one shown, as well as differences in the other two models as well, if you try to find models of the same structure.

Just my 2 cents.

[takuto20]

What about modules? I envision a basic construction with identic exterior (windows) and customizable interior. I imagine they would release a floor every 6 months ort maybe every year. I would buy floor 1 in 2007 (bank + starbucks), then floor 2 in 2008 (office + gym), then floor 3 in 2009 (apartments) and then top floor (lounge bar with a view + terrace) in 2010. Then one could be put on top of the other, voil

[Peoples_General]

Lego can create a Sky Scrapper set! Make it either an apartment builing or a small office type building with many uses such as different floors for different companies, not to mention a high-rise hotel. Lets say the "sky scrapper" is a 10-storey building... here's several examples of what it can be.

For example:

Apartment - why not? Im sure the Lego minifigs would need a place to live right? Being a form of house, it should have some playability. Each floor can be occupied by different people, families, and what not. Put in an elevator or two along with a staircase. These can fit in a set built on two 32x16 baseplates.

1st floor = lobby level with offices and maintinance

2nd floor = where the single college guy lives

3rd floor = where the single college girl lives

4th floor = where a married couple lives

5th floor = where a married couple with 1 child (baby) lives

6th floor = where an elderly couple lives

7th floor = where a family of 2 children (small, short legs) lives

8th floor = where a family with 2 children (teens, regular legs) lives

9th floor = where the art-student lives

10th floor = where the business man lives

roof-level stairway access, can be used by anyone...

----------------------

Office Building - you have 10 floors... on a building constructed on top of two 32x16 baseplates, so that you can have hinged bricks on the side for it to open. You can make elevators in here too.

1st floor = street level lobby

2nd floor = restaurant

3rd floor = cafe, and small shops

4th floor = Clinic

5th floor = City-Maintinance/Construction offices

6th floor = Racers offices

7th floor = Airline offices

8th floor = Octan offices

9th floor = Train offices

10th floor = Ships offices

roof-level helicopter landing pad

----------------------

Hotel - again, 10 floors.... the first several floors will have the playability. Again, built on top of two 32x16 baseplates.

1st floor = street level lobby

2nd floor = small shops and cafe

3rd floor = restaurant

4th floor = exercise/fitness room and spa

5th floor = in-door swimming pool

6th floor = two hotel rooms

7th floor = two hotel rooms

8th floor = two hotel rooms

9th floor = hotel suite

10th floor = hotel suite

roof-level helicopter landing pad

[Sting]

People's General's Idea is good, but I think less floors with a less generic look would be cooler.

For example, The Police Station in 6398, if Designed a little different, and obviously without all the police themed stuff, would be a REALLY cool Office building. Office Buildings go along with homes and other small businesses that gave Lego character.

Having Police, Fire, and Hospital themes every few years gives no life to Lego system. Whats the point in having a fire station with no one to save, hmm?

The Port that is coming out (any pictures of that yet???) is sounding pretty cool though!

[Kahgarak]

Having Police, Fire, and Hospital themes every few years gives no life to Lego system. Whats the point in having a fire station with no one to save, hmm?

Exactly what i was thinking earlier today.They should make a set with a burning building.Neeeeeeeeeeeed trans orange flame pieces... 8-

[takuto20]

Okay! So what do you guys think about this?

See bigger picture here: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/takuto20...605_576x768.jpg

I told myself I should make it on my own in order to show you all my idea (and show TLC how it is done...) but then when I was halfway I realised I needed more pieces. Do you see what set is this MOD inspired from?

[Brick Miner]

Okay! So what do you guys think about this?

the modules idea is ok... but i like kahgarak/sting's concept the best so far...

to make the scrappers interesting for kids, just make one in the fire-fighting line... that would be sufficient enough for me *y* *y* *y*

Exactly what i was thinking earlier today.They should make a set with a burning building.Neeeeeeeeeeeed trans orange flame pieces... 8-

[GravyTrain]

Personally I wouldn't mind sets of mini-scaled Skyscrapers that came with, you didn't guess it, GIANT MONSTERS! Not only would this please the people that want buildings, but the Creatures fans as well! Then you could have a city with tiny streets and cars and everything with loads of monsters battling it out! Maybe use some mini military models as well! Maybe have the buildings be destructable or something too, maybe have a set with a transforming building! So many ideas!

This, IMO, would be awesome.

-chugga chugga chugga chugga

[Brick Miner]

well, now that is an interesting take on the skycraper theme... RAMPAGE !!! :-D :-D :-D

in fact, taking that one step further... it could be like the new AquaRaiders line... giant mutant brick-built zoo animals on the loose !!! :-D

- BM

[Zaktan of the Shadows]

It would be big. And expensive. Who's gonna buy it?

-ZotS

[brickchic]

Must I remind you that Lego has produced not only "UCS" Skyscrapers, but NYC UCS skyscrapers?

Problem is they're not minifig scale and so they aren't properly compatible with town or city sets.

[Section8]

It would be big. And expensive. Who's gonna buy it?

-ZotS

Might I remind you that the UCS Star Destroyer and Death Star are both VERY expensive, yet they sell. And there were and are many sets in all themes that had a high price, such as the monorails, technic sets, trains, etc.

The skyscraper doesn't have to be huge, something on the scale of 6398 Police HQ. Reconfigured, it could be a few stories taller and not take up as much area.