Modular Building Sets - Rumours and Discussion

[daniel9x]

Is it too late to chime in on the Town Hall retirement rumors? I have found nothing here in the US to suggest it's coming back... basically the evidence over here just confirms it's likely retirement. Usually shop.lego.com only lists something as "Sold Out" if it's gone for good. I know this isn't always the case, but it's certainly a trend. All the retail Lego Stores (3) in the Atlanta, GA area are out of them. Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us online... nothing. They're priced at ~$300 on Amazon and eBay (50% mark up of MSRP) which I understand is the weakest evidence but still...

Edited November 4, 2014 by daniel9x

[mapimi]

Went to my lego store today, don't know if they are making room for christmas demand, but last time I went they had more choice. TH was not where to be seen when they had 5 copies on the shelves a few weeks ago, and they were all out of Series 12 minifigs. Interestingly enough however they had a few copies of the Winter Village market along with Santa's workshop. I fear TH is gone. For those fearing the disappearance of PS, they still had copies and the seller told me it should be around for a while longer, not that it means much.

[AFOLguy1970]

I think TH is gone as well. Also to clarify, Lego will not necessarily assign the "Retiring Soon" label to an item when it is near the end of its run. FB was gone about this time last year. One day it was in stock, and then it was gone. GE and TH appear to have gone the same route. As for PS, how long it will last depends on if there have been any more production runs. If not, then its days are numbered as well. I think it is fair to speculate that PS will now increase in sales since there are now fewer modulars to choose from. There are always people new to the hobby and just now beginning to discover the modulars. They will learn about the ones that once existed like FB and GG, and will seek to get the ones they still can. Presently, there are only three sold directly by Lego: PS, PC, and PR. It was nice having five available at this time last year, but that is probably unusual. Besides, those things take up a lot of shelf space.

If someone was new to the hobby and they were trying to decide which modular to buy first, I would probably direct them to the PS first.

[Andy D]

I hope the emphasis on the building is minimalized and we get hundreds, if not thousands, of interesting little accessories that I can integrate into my doll collection.

OTW: Your posts really need to come with a caution label. I almost spewed coffee all over my iPad when I read this one.

I really like the idea of a Trampoline Store. And put me in the "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" camp for the DA.

Andy D

[badbob001]

It's a Detective Agency and it's being officially announced within the next two weeks.

And the sub-title: The Case of the Missing Seagull.

[Off the wall]

Went to my lego store today, don't know if they are making room for christmas demand, but last time I went they had more choice. TH was not where to be seen when they had 5 copies on the shelves a few weeks ago, and they were all out of Series 12 minifigs. Interestingly enough however they had a few copies of the Winter Village market along with Santa's workshop. I fear TH is gone. For those fearing the disappearance of PS, they still had copies and the seller told me it should be around for a while longer, not that it means much.

That's an accurate assessment as far as modulars go. TH and GE are history, PS will be around for a while.

[tafkatb]

The Maltese Seagull?

[Herky]

I just watched The Maltese Falcon a couple of weeks ago...very interesting movie as I had not seen it before, would never fly by today's standards as a movie, way too chauvinistic and honestly not a great plot. However, as a building for a modular, I can easily see this being done or the Sherlock Holmes style, which I prefer. If they do SH, they need to do Holmes, Watson and Mrs Hudson in minifig form, plus Toby. You don't have to call them by these names but the characters would be referenced by generic minifigs.

Still waiting though, who knows.

[AirborneAFOL]

Went to my lego store today, don't know if they are making room for christmas demand, but last time I went they had more choice. TH was not where to be seen when they had 5 copies on the shelves a few weeks ago, and they were all out of Series 12 minifigs. Interestingly enough however they had a few copies of the Winter Village market along with Santa's workshop. I fear TH is gone. For those fearing the disappearance of PS, they still had copies and the seller told me it should be around for a while longer, not that it means much.

I went to Lego Store as well today - Mall of America location. They claim to be the highest volume Lego Store in the US - and carry a massive inventory "in the back". No TH. Assistant Manager said it's not on their shelf plan so not getting going to be getting any to restock until at least December (if at all, I assume).

[Paperballpark]

UK stores have apparently been told to limit TH to one per customer, as they will not be getting re-stocked. At least 3 stores have already sold out.

[TheLegoDr]

One could imagine the minifigure line-up will be rehashes again though, just like all of the others. How often do they have a unique torso in the modulars?

[Regimus]

I'm hoping they somehow integrate the galidor theme, would make it a 100% day one purchase!

[PeteM]

UK stores have apparently been told to limit TH to one per customer, as they will not be getting re-stocked. At least 3 stores have already sold out.

I managed to get one from the Cardiff store on the last day of double points, but had to ask for it as it wasn't on the shelf. Always worth checking what they have 'out back' :)

[lightningtiger]

I'm hoping they somehow integrate the galidor theme, would make it a 100% day one purchase!

Galidor !?

Seriously back on topic, I have been told that the PR in Oz might become available at all independent retailers soon......usually the latest release is exclusive only to one department store chain. So maybe there might be a fresh one meaning DA waiting in the wings ?

[Herky]

feel free to slap my hand if this is out of turn, but I was looking at Lego Ideas today and see the History Museum is less than 1000 away from 10K needed with 174 days left https://ideas.lego.com/projects/46720

If anything I hope TLG takes notice of this modular and spins it in the next few offerings as an official set, in any case, it is currently the most supported Idea on the site

Edited November 6, 2014 by Herky

[Off the wall]

The history museum is outstanding. I wonder what would be cut from the Lego Ideas version if it went into production. Any idea how many pieces it is in its current form? I have to admit that it also has the type of interior details that I consider real value and worth paying for.

[eurotrash]

Any idea how many pieces it is in its current form? I have to admit that it also has the type of interior details that I consider real value and worth paying for.

From the Lego Idea Updates tab the builder says "After several months of re-design I have managed to reduce the piece count to 2700". That seems doable to me as a Lego Product, but that may be without the rear wall (it's not very clear on that point)

Either way it'd be an impressive addition to the range.

[Off the wall]

From the Lego Idea Updates tab the builder says "After several months of re-design I have managed to reduce the piece count to 2700". That seems doable to me as a Lego Product, but that may be without the rear wall (it's not very clear on that point)

Either way it'd be an impressive addition to the range.

Thanks. Similar piece count to TH if they can keep it at 2700. I'd pay $250US for it as shown in Lego Ideas (provided the rear wall was included).

[Andy D]

Thanks. Similar piece count to TH if they can keep it at 2700. I'd pay $250US for it as shown in Lego Ideas (provided the rear wall was included).

Gotta have a rear wall! Without a rear wall it's a "doll house".

Just MHO YMMV

Andy D

[Jern92]

Gotta have a rear wall! Without a rear wall it's a "doll house".

Just MHO YMMV

Andy D

I personally don't mind the swing-open dollhouse style offered by the Haunted House and the Simpsons House, but any buildings without backs, logical access to all floors and a sensible amount of space inside just bug me. If I buy anything without a back, I'd have to modularise it before adding it to my city.

Thanks. Similar piece count to TH if they can keep it at 2700. I'd pay $250US for it as shown in Lego Ideas (provided the rear wall was included).

It looks like it does have a back wall from all the pictures included in the page. The interior shot was taken by halving the building lengthwise, and you can see the back walls there

[KringlesBricks]

With the IDEAS Museum, it defiantly has some nice interior pieces; but, I have to say it certainly needs more color in it for me. With it all being in tan pieces inside and out, it seems bland and colorless even with the architectural designs incorporated in it.

I'd like to see something with a lot of color like the Pet Shop and PR; those sets really sold me on getting them...brightening up the city.

[Gongoro73]

With the IDEAS Museum, it defiantly has some nice interior pieces; but, I have to say it certainly needs more color in it for me. With it all being in tan pieces inside and out, it seems bland and colorless even with the architectural designs incorporated in it.

I couldn't agree more. The facade needs at least a second colour.

[Andy D]

I personally don't mind the swing-open dollhouse style offered by the Haunted House and the Simpsons House, but any buildings without backs, logical access to all floors and a sensible amount of space inside just bug me. If I buy anything without a back, I'd have to modularise it before adding it to my city.

Swing open is OK, be no back is a non-starter.

Andy D

[Off the wall]

With the IDEAS Museum, it defiantly has some nice interior pieces; but, I have to say it certainly needs more color in it for me. With it all being in tan pieces inside and out, it seems bland and colorless even with the architectural designs incorporated in it.

I'd like to see something with a lot of color like the Pet Shop and PR; those sets really sold me on getting them...brightening up the city.

I think that's a valid criticism. While the buildings don't need to all look alike, there's a certain style that one associates with the modular series. Color and texture are two of those style components. While the texture is fine on the museum, it could use a little more color.

I've recently done a couple of MOCs. One is a train terminal lobby building and one is a Mini Cooper dealership. Both were done solely with medium gray, dark gray and white pieces. While I'm happy with the results, they don't blend in easily with the rest of my modulars.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Off the wall

[AFOLguy1970]

From the Lego Idea Updates tab the builder says "After several months of re-design I have managed to reduce the piece count to 2700". That seems doable to me as a Lego Product, but that may be without the rear wall (it's not very clear on that point)

Either way it'd be an impressive addition to the range.

If they needed to further reduce the piece count, they could always nix one of the two dinosaur skeletons. I like both designs, but TLG might find two to be somewhat redundant.

If the museum becomes a set, hopefully it will not be a very limited run ala Mars Rover or Research Institute where you better have your $250 on day 1 or risk never having the chance to own it. I hope it will be around for at least the average lifespan of a typical modular. This is of course assuming it gets the green light. So far, there has not really been an big ticket item from Cuusoo/Lego Ideas. This, or something like the Lord of the Rings Minas Tirith would establish a new precedent.