REVIEW: 21021 Marina Bay Sands

[WhiteFang]

Thank you all for taking your time to compose your thoughts and comments which is pretty insightful especially to see a mix of positive and negative comments, but I could largely understand that the main bulk of unhappiness lie on the 10,000 sets of limited edition. Trust me, I am not too pleased to find it to be so limited, because as a Singaporean, I can't find this set in retail stores as of now, and I ought to think that this set is to be produced more so that even my fellow countrymen can also have a chance to own this piece of art.

It's a good-looking building, but not a good-looking set. I wonder why they didn't use trans-black instead of trans-blue for the windows?

Good question and I got no idea, and I am guessing that it is the water reflection by the river.

That set is awesome as the real building it is... but why can't we grab one for us? Why is it a limited edition?

Likewise, I am not sure why it is meant to be marketed as limited edition. Too bad, I can't locate the TLG poll anymore which I thought it might shed some information from there.

WF,

Thanks for another great review!

There seem to be two views of this building:

1. This is an outstanding building in real life. OR

2. This building is a major eyesore.

In any event, it is worthy of an Architecture set because of Mr. Safdie, the architect, and how prominent the building is in downtown Singapore. It looks like an apparition the first time you see it in the distance.

Those of us who are into the Architecture line won't be able to collect this set unless we BL it from Asia, with two sellers available in Hong Kong and Korea at the moment. I finally bought it yesterday because I like the design of the set, and want it for my collection. No, I am not a completist, but I have a lot of respect for the architect, and the design is quite innovative.

It would be nice if it had been marketed as a regular Architecture set so that distribution would be widespread and the average collector would not have to pay at least twice the original price. Not sure what TLG was thinking when they limited it so much.

Again thanks for the review and for making the set period. Architecture is a fascinating art and well worth the fine effort TLG has made to showcase so many outstanding structures.

Thank you very much, legogal! You have the honour and chance to actually see this in real life! It really matters a lot when you are able to see the real thing and put this into perspective. I totally agreed with you that if this set can be marketed as a regular product line in the LEGO Architecture Series.

With all due respect, why do most people on this website feel obligated to suck up to TLG even when TLG makes a blunder? Just asking, no disrespect intended.

Erhm, I take it as a general comment and is not meant to be directed onto the review for this matter. I don't really think that most members here will suck up to TLG for mistakes and blunders. I think in general, it is a matter of individual opinions being presented in either a detailed or a simplistic manner which might misunderstood as a form of herd instinct, I supposed. I do apologies if I have understood wrongly.

Not sure I like this set. I have to say I have not bought any of the range, although some of them look really nice. This one though seems somewhat lacking. Although the actual; building in real life looks great.

The thing that spoils it for me, apart from its excessive blue'ness is that little bit (Looks like a 1X3 possibly a 1X4?) tile hanging off the right hand side, (Or left depending on which way you are viewing it of course.) it is not clear exactly what it is supposed to be and all the photos of the realm structure I cannot see this part of the building as it is obscured by other buildings in front of it. That is not to say it is not there and really that is not the point. It seems as though it is just hanging off the side, almost as if it is too heavy or that the person making the model did not bother to press it down firmly enough. Even in the official box art photographs it looks like it is drooping and about to fall off, as though they just did not care to get it right. I suspect it is in part down to the angle of the photo and that the buildings are set in a sort of arc rather than it is actually drooping, but it just looks awful and silly.

It is a shame really as the series so far has been of quite a good standard and now it has been let down by this droop!

If my memory serve me right, I believe you are referring to the coach stand shelter. Trust me, the outline of this building is very precise especially when I am on the car along East Coast Parkway Expressway (ECP) towards Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). The back of the building show the outline very clearly.

[Off the wall]

For rather obvious reasons, Lego seems to have a much easier time with Frank Lloyd Wright works and Art Deco buildings in general. When you get into buildings where the design involves curves and other angles that aren't 'brick friendly', they seem to wind up with unappealing products like the small Sydney Opera House, the small Eiffel Tower and Marina Bay Sands. I would like to see the Marina Bay sands evolve to a large piece count set like the Sydney Opera House did. That would allow for a more accurate representation of the actual building rather than the small, unflattering version represented by 21021.

[LukeClarenceVan]

Awesome review, thanks. I liked that black and white shot, makes me think TLG should have gone with trans-black instead of blue...

[WhiteFang]

For rather obvious reasons, Lego seems to have a much easier time with Frank Lloyd Wright works and Art Deco buildings in general. When you get into buildings where the design involves curves and other angles that aren't 'brick friendly', they seem to wind up with unappealing products like the small Sydney Opera House, the small Eiffel Tower and Marina Bay Sands. I would like to see the Marina Bay sands evolve to a large piece count set like the Sydney Opera House did. That would allow for a more accurate representation of the actual building rather than the small, unflattering version represented by 21021.

I agreed with you. In fact, I don't think the Marina Bay Sands will stand the chance to have it feature in a larger and more detailed scale. Furthermore, I will think it probably will just stop it there unlike the special Sydney Opera House which is classified under the LEGO Creator Expert theme.

Awesome review, thanks. I liked that black and white shot, makes me think TLG should have gone with trans-black instead of blue...

Thanks! I am glad the monochrome image is liked by others.

[Off the wall]

WhiteFang, good review. I like the actual building and I think Singapore should be proud to have it as one of their landmark structures. As for the Lego interpretation of it, well, I think you know how I feel about that. :-)

[WhiteFang]

WhiteFang, good review. I like the actual building and I think Singapore should be proud to have it as one of their landmark structures. As for the Lego interpretation of it, well, I think you know how I feel about that. :-)

Thanks! This set itself is special to me because seeing my own country's building being featured in my favourite hobby, really means much to me, as explained in my reviewing coverage.

As for TLG interpretation, yes, it is crystal clear of your sentiments! I just hope you will still enjoy this entire series despite of the blunder.

[Vee]

You know what, I have a new theory. This is a hotel, right? So, what if they PAID a huge amount of money to Lego to develop a set for them? That would explain the very limited release because the hotel demanded that it would be only available in its country. Now someone from the hotel has all 10000 sets and they can sell them for a very high price and recover whatever they paid to Lego and still have the advertisement that they were looking for.

I like conspiracy theories...

[Herky]

That's funny Vee, good outlook...living in St Louis, I keep hoping for an Arch, they do have one at our science center done by Tucker, it's a good 18" high and would make a good creator set along the lines of the opera house, but they could do that one much cheaper. I like the idea of this hotel done on a bigger scale, it would look much much better. I am somewhat a completist too so frustrating I keep trying to get the lower priced ones on ebay, but alas none yet. Someone has it in the US ebay site for $999, I just had to chuckle at that price at this point.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Herky

[Dhulliath]

I actually quite enjoyed this set, and viewing the building during my brief stay in Singapore. I spotted the set by chance at Legoland in Malaysia, just last Tuesday. There was a full shelf of them, going for 300 Ringgit each. Happy to be one of the probably few Canadians with this set.

[CopMike]

You know what, I have a new theory. This is a hotel, right? So, what if they PAID a huge amount of money to Lego to develop a set for them? That would explain the very limited release because the hotel demanded that it would be only available in its country. Now someone from the hotel has all 10000 sets and they can sell them for a very high price and recover whatever they paid to Lego and still have the advertisement that they were looking for.

I like conspiracy theories...

Well, it was the winner in the yearly Inspire & Vote 2012, which LEGO have done twice through the http://architecture....-us/inspire-us/ which isn´t up & running for the moment. Here´s some more info.

Picture with the 10 suggestions up for vote 2012.

[Steve309]

Well, it was the winner in the yearly Inspire & Vote 2012, which LEGO have done twice through the http://architecture....-us/inspire-us/ which isn´t up & running for the moment. Here´s some more info.

Picture with the 10 suggestions up for vote 2012.

Great review. In hoping I can get one of these sets. But in Canada may be tough. Or just expensive.

However this is what bothers me most. It won a world wide vote. Why make it limited in sets produced and only available in select parts of Asia. But leaning tower of Pisa which lost. Gets a world wide release.

And where is habitat 67. That won too.the Eiffel Tower from that first list got produced.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Steve309

[Legogal]

I actually quite enjoyed this set, and viewing the building during my brief stay in Singapore. I spotted the set by chance at Legoland in Malaysia, just last Tuesday. There was a full shelf of them, going for 300 Ringgit each. Happy to be one of the probably few Canadians with this set.

Wow! You were sooooo lucky to find this set at Legoland Malaysia, and $100US is a real bargain price! I looked for it in Singapore and at that Park in early October and just missed it. I would have purchased ten of them to bring home if they had been available then. (Mine came from Rophan in Hong Kong on BL for $125 plus shipping.) The least expensive I can find now is for $133us on BL in Taiwan. The seller has no completed transactions….yet.

All:

Not sure why so few were produced, but it seems that each Legoland Park needs to sell a couple of sets that are based on something found only in that part of the world. And this set is perfect for Legoland Malaysia. That is where it should be sold. And also in the gift shop of the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Visitors to each Park should be able to purchase such a set or two to remember the Park by and to add value to their visits. It is fine with me if they sell the set only at that specific Park and at the location on which the set is based. And maybe they should listen to Otw and not make them official Architecture sets, but rather Legoland Park sets.

Fortunately I am not a completist or my family would be starving to death if I spent all the grocery money on LEGO! Many Architecture sets have been available on eBayUS at around half price if you don't mind a smashed box, etc. (I rarely keep boxes, so it is fine if they are smashed.)

Maybe TLG learned something from the limited release of this set: how to piss off so many potential collectors. Anyway life is too short to be mad or angry, so go build something or spend some time with a friend or your family, and BE HAPPY like most of the Danes are. According to recent happiness studies, they generally rank at the top.

[Vee]

Well, it was the winner in the yearly Inspire & Vote 2012, which LEGO have done twice through the http://architecture....-us/inspire-us/ which isn´t up & running for the moment. Here´s some more info.

Whoa! Winner over all of those masterpieces, a hotel?

That just made my conspiracy theory (CT) even better because this "contest" was fixed from the beginning, just a sham to explain their "choice". Not to mention the weird decision to make a limited release out of a worldwide contest...

... Fortunately I am not a completist or my family would be starving to death if I spent all the grocery money on LEGO! Many Architecture sets have been available on eBayUS at around half price if you don't mind a smashed box, etc...

I bought the Farnsworth House from ebay just because the price was too good to pass, shipping included (and I like the set too). I was kind of worried that it would be a scam but it was not. The set arrived in a rather good condition.

[rollermonkey]

Vee, the problem with your conspiracy theory is that these were sold through the Korean S@H and TRU in at least a few countries.

Someone is definitely losing out on possible $$$ here, though.

Definitely weird that the 'winner' of the poll got the limited release, but there have been 'losers' that got released worldwide. There's your conspiracy, Vee!

Edited December 30, 2013 by rollermonkey

[Vee]

Note that you said "were", not "are being"...Isn't this set still a non-retired set? And for how long, how many?

They needed a way to make it not look what it really is so they offered a few of them for a few days in a few locations...

Conspiracy theory it is!

[WhiteFang]

I actually quite enjoyed this set, and viewing the building during my brief stay in Singapore. I spotted the set by chance at Legoland in Malaysia, just last Tuesday. There was a full shelf of them, going for 300 Ringgit each. Happy to be one of the probably few Canadians with this set.

I heard it was only recently made available in LEGOLAND Malaysia. Even though the SRP over at the LEGOLAND Malaysia is higher than in Singapore, I am still glad that you managed to pick it up and make your trip worthwhile in the park.

Well, it was the winner in the yearly Inspire & Vote 2012, which LEGO have done twice through the http://architecture....-us/inspire-us/ which isn´t up & running for the moment.

Awesome, CopMike! Thank you for sharing the poll image with us! I wasn't able to find it earlier since it was pulled off from the site.

[rollermonkey]

Note that you said "were", not "are being"...Isn't this set still a non-retired set? And for how long, how many?

They needed a way to make it not look what it really is so they offered a few of them for a few days in a few locations...

Conspiracy theory it is!

"Were" because it is selling out everywhere it has been available within a couple days of it's arrival. Thus far it's been bought in Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. I bought mine off eBay from a seller in Taiwan and another bought it from a seller in Japan. Non-retired doesn't necessarily mean it isn't extremely limited availability. Furthermore, a few of us (including me) contacted MBS directly, and they have been out of stock, too since mid-December.

In any case, plenty have been bought outside the Marina Bay Sands gift shop, enough that you need to modify your conspiracy theory.

:P

Now... If MBS is secretly all of the eBay sellers offering these up for $150 and up...

[Vee]

Why do you want to spoil my conspiracy theory? You are mean! :laugh:

I like thinking that Lego is an evil company, that makes me less likely to buy their expensive toys that drains my wallet.

[Herky]

I think the theory still stands, cause Taiwan and Japan are east Asia and really it's not far from Singapore to Taiwan (my wife is from there and have been to Taiwan a few times now, flight to Singapore is short and cheap) so they could have relatives or business there and gotten them.

Seeing the pics of the choices, since Pisa was made, it was likely the ringer for that group, but the vote went to MBS instead, maybe Lego (the evil Lego) said aaarrrrrgggghhhh in their best pirate line mode and said fine, you didn't pick our ringer, then we will set it at...LIMITED RELEASE muwhahhahaha and too bad for all you collectors!

That said, I would like to see the first 10 as well since this seems like the second 10 from the comments. I can't imagine making Sagrada, St Basil's or the GG Bridge...the Bridge would be cool, but you would have to add an Alcatraz to go along with it...the rest are definitely blocky structures so it fits.

[Steve309]

That said, I would like to see the first 10 as well since this seems like the second 10 from the comments. I can't imagine making Sagrada, St Basil's or the GG Bridge...the Bridge would be cool, but you would have to add an Alcatraz to go along with it...the rest are definitely blocky structures so it fits.

http://cdn.archinect.net/images/514x/0s/0spgyb6g5d39s9za.jpg

There is the first 10. Habitat 67 won

[Vee]

Found a bigger one, using your small one...

http://toysnbricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LEGO.com-Architecture-Microsite-2012-Vote-Toysnbricks.jpg

[CopMike]

I'd personally would like to see this topic being more about the set and less about the limited situation put together with "threats" of not buying any more Lego.

Feel free though to start a thread in the Embassy forum where you can argue for this and I'll bring that info to TLG.

The instructions are availiable for download on S@H, so everybody can build there own. Some pieces seems a bit rare though.

[Legogal]

Mike,

Ditto!

Thanks for the building tips! With a few substitutions, we should be able to build it.

I applaud TLG for introducing this set because curves can be frightfully difficult to get right.

Happy New Years fellow Brickers!

[Vee]

... put together with "threats" of not buying any more Lego...

I don't remember reading here about anyone "threatening" not to buy any more Lego because of this one so-so limited release set.

[CopMike]

I like thinking that Lego is an evil company, that makes me less likely to buy their expensive toys that drains my wallet.