Modular Building Sets - Rumours and Discussion

[Brick City]

I'm hoping for another two building modular set, like PS or MS. A coffee shop or a grocery store. OR...

A grand hotel, something around the height of TH. That would be amazing!

[Terrasher]

I'm hoping for another two building modular set, like PS or MS. A coffee shop or a grocery store. OR...

A grand hotel, something around the height of TH. That would be amazing!

Yeah... it's been a long while since we've had anything as big as the Town Hall, the Green Grocer or the Grand Emporium.

Where are we on the "political - residential / retail - business" cycle (if it has been proven to exist)? Should next modular be residential and retail?

If so, I could really see a dentist office or a clinic of some sort along with a little apartment.

[BlockLogo]

I'd be very surprised if we ever get another one the size of the town hall or even green grocer with how the last 4 modulars have been trending.

[Dan-147]

I remember the uproar when Town Hall came out. Too big! Too expensive! It was retired prematurely because of (rumored) poor sales.

It seems rather ironical now with so many people buying multiples of the newer sets to make expanded versions. I guess this sort of confirms that no bigger sets will be made since the smaller ones sell twice as well. It does appeal to the creative side of LEGO since each XL version is unique.

It would seem that LEGO does indeed listen to its fans, particularly when they talk with their wallets.

Dan-147

[AnnaBuildsLego]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any estimates as to when we can expect any of the Modulars to be discontinued? I've just really come back from my Dark Ages this year, so I'm unaccustomed to the production-to-discontinuation cycle of these sets; last time I was big into LEGO collecting, Cafe Corner and Green Grocer had just come out.

I was wondering, what set do you think will be discontinued first, and can you estimate when?

I'm a college student struggling to get some savings together (I'll probably be able to save just about 5 euro per week), so I'm anxious about having enough time to buy one of the older modulars before they disappear. It took me months to get my first and only one, the Palace Cinema, so I'm hoping I'll have enough time!

I'm particularly interested in the Pet Shop considering how old it is - should I be very worried and try to hurry up in saving money to get it? Does it being temporarily out of stock on S@H mean anything?

[gotoAndLego]

Its always wisest to pick up the oldest set you can. See if there is a user group near you and try trading your Palace Cinema for the Pet Shop/Townhouse; the Cinema is newer so you will have more time to rebuy it.

The thing is, while I own the Cinema it's fairly mediocre in my eyes; I think Parisian Restaurant and Detective Shop are much cooler and interesting. If money were an issue I would have no problem skipping the Cinema in lieu of the other sets.

Edited April 4, 2016 by gotoAndLego

[Brick City]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any estimates as to when we can expect any of the Modulars to be discontinued? I've just really come back from my Dark Ages this year, so I'm unaccustomed to the production-to-discontinuation cycle of these sets; last time I was big into LEGO collecting, Cafe Corner and Green Grocer had just come out.

I was wondering, what set do you think will be discontinued first, and can you estimate when?

I'm a college student struggling to get some savings together (I'll probably be able to save just about 5 euro per week), so I'm anxious about having enough time to buy one of the older modulars before they disappear. It took me months to get my first and only one, the Palace Cinema, so I'm hoping I'll have enough time!

I'm particularly interested in the Pet Shop considering how old it is - should I be very worried and try to hurry up in saving money to get it? Does it being temporarily out of stock on S@H mean anything?

Yes, I would pick up the Pet Shop first. However, keep in mind that for a few months after the set is discontinued, online retailers like Amazon keep the set at retail price, or lower, depending on if they have a sale or not. It's definitely worth checking out.

[AnnaBuildsLego]

Its always wisest to pick up the oldest set you can. See if there is a user group near you and try trading your Palace Cinema for the Pet Shop/Townhouse; the Cinema is newer so you will have more time to rebuy it.

The thing is, while I own the Cinema it's fairly mediocre in my eyes; I think Parisian Restaurant and Detective Shop are much cooler and interesting. If money were an issue I would have no problem skipping the Cinema in lieu of the other sets.

I wouldn't be able to go ahead with that plan, even though it's clever and probably the best idea - I get very attached to my LEGO, and with this being my first ever Modular and my first set after my Dark Ages, I'm pretty attached to this one. I also specifically bought it first because of it being a cinema, and I love watching movies at the cinema. Essentially therefore, I don't think I'd ever be able to part with it, even if I could just buy a new one later! I'm a bit of a hoarder, I guess.

As for the set itself, I agree it's a bit mediocre, but I still like it very much. The first floor is wonderful and I modded it ever so slightly to add a few more goodies to the concessions stand, whereas the second floor is certainly a bit of a let-down. I left all of the stickers off of the set (except for the main sign with the Minnie Figure movie listing) and I think that lets the set breathe a bit more. Overall I very much like the Palace Cinema, but it does need some heavy modding on that second floor.

When I bought the Palace Cinema, I also looked at the Pet Shop because I decided, like you said, to look at the oldest sets. I bought the Cinema first purely because I felt attached to the idea of my town needing a cinema if it was going to accurately reflect what I wanted in a town.

I wasn't particularly mad about the Pet Shop at the time - mostly because it's also a bit empty on the inside. However, now I'm going to aim to try to save up for it, because of it being very old and because I could deck out the apartment interiors with my own mods. Hopefully it won't discontinue soon. If it holds out until the end of the year, I'll certainly be able to pick it up.

Yes, I would pick up the Pet Shop first. However, keep in mind that for a few months after the set is discontinued, online retailers like Amazon keep the set at retail price, or lower, depending on if they have a sale or not. It's definitely worth checking out.

Oh, that's cool! Interesting, hopefully that should buy me some time. Thanks!

Edited April 4, 2016 by AnnaBuildsLego

[Slowthrill]

I just came back from the dark age myself. After watching the lego movie. Lurked for a month and collected a good amount of bricksites to understand the AFOL thing a bit more and research the lego world.

One of them is http://retiringsets.com.

This site made me decide to pick up pet store and start there. Building it as we speak, me and my gf. It seems the site is quite accurate! ;)

Edited April 4, 2016 by Slowthrill

[Brick City]

I feel like the most successful Modular buildings have been the sets that have loads of detail, and have unique and fun builds. The Bay window in Pet Shop and the intricate façade on the Parisian Resterauntcome to mind. The 2017 modular should have some sort of "wow!"factor behind it. The next Modular should use ordinary bricks in an extraordinary way. That's what keeps me coming back to the modulars.

Edited April 4, 2016 by Brick City

[Actor Builder]

I'm going to predict that the new Egg Piece from the Angry Birds sets will be a main component in architectural detailing for the next modular.

[Brick City]

I'm going to predict that the new Egg Piece from the Angry Birds sets will be a main component in architectural detailing for the next modular.

That wouldn't surprise me. Most modulars take an unusual piece from other sets (like the unikitty tails from DO) and use them in a new way.

[BlockLogo]

The Brick Bank used the Nexo shields and the scroll bricks in pretty nice ways. Were there any of the new 1x1 pyramid pieces in there?

[AnnaBuildsLego]

I just came back from the dark age myself. After watching the lego movie. Lurked for a month and collected a good amount of bricksites to understand the AFOL thing a bit more and research the lego world.

One of them is http://retiringsets.com.

This site made me decide to pick up pet store and start there. Building it as we speak, me and my gf. It seems the site is quite accurate! ;)

Oh cool, thank you for this! This is incredibly helpful, I'm definitely going to be keeping an eye on that website!

How is the Pet Shop? Hope you and your GF love it!

[mapimi]

Hello to all

I'm going to change the subject slightly and wonder what you guys think:

Is it time for the modular price to go up to allow for the older modular size with the playability and interior details of the newer ones?

I know lego tried with TH and that sales were considered a failure but since then :

-Lego has added many larger sets which start way higher then modulars

-The modular price has also gone up. BB here in Europe is only 10/20 € cheaper than TH was

-The modulars are getting smaller which is starting to have effects on the uniformity of the modular block. The concept of modularity is also in question with expansion not always an option (especially with BB and DO)

I know I wouldn't mind seeing this mixture if the downside is paying a bit more every year.

But perhaps I'm the only one

[Brick City]

Hello to all

I'm going to change the subject slightly and wonder what you guys think:

Is it time for the modular price to go up to allow for the older modular size with the playability and interior details of the newer ones?

I know lego tried with TH and that sales were considered a failure but since then :

-Lego has added many larger sets which start way higher then modulars

-The modular price has also gone up. BB here in Europe is only 10/20 € cheaper than TH was

-The modulars are getting smaller which is starting to have effects on the uniformity of the modular block. The concept of modularity is also in question with expansion not always an option (especially with BB and DO)

I know I wouldn't mind seeing this mixture if the downside is paying a bit more every year.

But perhaps I'm the only one

I honestly think that a good way to keep the price the lower would be selling half-modulars. I think that it would get high demand, but still satisfy, as I could get two modulars For the price of one of the newer modulars. They retail for around $160 in the US, so that could work out well.

[Brick City]

Sorry, I meant two of the half-modulars would cost the same as 1 CC modular.

[BlockLogo]

That doesn't seem likely. It worked with the pet shop but wouldn't have with the detective's office or bank.

[Withacee]

The Brick Bank used the Nexo shields and the scroll bricks in pretty nice ways. Were there any of the new 1x1 pyramid pieces in there?

I don't remember if those pieces were released before or after the Brick bank, but they were definitely not in this modular.

Great piece, hopefully available in more colours soon.

[AFOLguy1970]

The trend right now is to raise the price and/or decrease the overall size in favor of adding interior detail. For something to now be the size of Town Hall, the structure would now be well north of $200, possibly even going above $300 (see Ghostbusters HQ).

Half modulars would help to some degree, however I would think they would be greater than half the cost of a full sized modular. You would also be limited to using them for residential and small business settings. Larger public spaces would not fit into a half modular.

Unfortunately, if you want a nice large and detailed modular, it is going to cost you. You either get to pay a lot of money for one set, or you would have to buy multiples until you can recreate the size you want as many have already done.

[DavidD]

I need your opinion! I'm building the Grand Emporium 10211 from scratch (Briclink purchases) and all I have left to buy are the 76 windows I'll need. The problem I'm facing is the cost of the dark green 1x2x2 and 1x2x3 windows are too expensive for my budget (~$3-$4 USD!) so I'm considering alternative colors. I've assembled most of the building and placed black, white, and tan windows to see how they look. I had originally thought black would be the solution but I think it competes too much with the black banisters on the corner so have rejected that idea. I already have 22 white 1x2x3 windows so white would be the most economical choice and it matches the first floor windows which are outlined by white plates, but I'm just not sure. I am leaning more to tan but think the building may look too monochrome and bland with tan. Another possible option is red brown since that color is reasonably priced but I don't think that would work. Sorry, I don't have the ability to include pics to help you consider but would really appreciate other opinions. Thanks, David

[Humdrum]

I need your opinion! I'm building the Grand Emporium 10211 from scratch (Briclink purchases) and all I have left to buy are the 76 windows I'll need. The problem I'm facing is the cost of the dark green 1x2x2 and 1x2x3 windows are too expensive for my budget (~$3-$4 USD!) so I'm considering alternative colors. I've assembled most of the building and placed black, white, and tan windows to see how they look. I had originally thought black would be the solution but I think it competes too much with the black banisters on the corner so have rejected that idea. I already have 22 white 1x2x3 windows so white would be the most economical choice and it matches the first floor windows which are outlined by white plates, but I'm just not sure. I am leaning more to tan but think the building may look too monochrome and bland with tan. Another possible option is red brown since that color is reasonably priced but I don't think that would work. Sorry, I don't have the ability to include pics to help you consider but would really appreciate other opinions. Thanks, David

I believe there's a topic on this forum which offers LDD files for the various modulars. Download the one for GE and modify it to fit your needs :)

[gotoAndLego]

Change the color of the banisters.

[AnnaBuildsLego]

Apparently I might be able to get a Pet Shop pretty soon! I don't have the money right now to pay for it, but my awesome mother is offering to buy one just because it looks like it's very close to retiring. Shout out to my mom, who is awesome.

Anybody have ideas/easy tutorials for some ways to spruce up the interior of the apartments? I was thinking of making it my project when I get the set to deck the interiors out with improved kitchens, bathrooms, living room areas. Does anybody have any ideas for little mini-builds or ways to mod the Pet Shop apartments?

[Vindicare]

Yeah... it's been a long while since we've had anything as big as the Town Hall, the Green Grocer or the Grand Emporium.

Where are we on the "political - residential / retail - business" cycle (if it has been proven to exist)? Should next modular be residential and retail?

If so, I could really see a dentist office or a clinic of some sort along with a little apartment.

I was just looking into this. It seems though that the pattern has been interrupted by 10246 Detective's Office, where we previously had 10197 Fire Brigade & 10224 Town Hall- gov't buildings. Not to mention 10251 Brick Bank has as well... I think that pattern may have gotten abandoned.