Bricklinking Modular Buildings

[Sammael]

I need about 100 parts to finish my Cafe Corner... and things are starting to get crazy expensive. The 1x2x3 white panels for windows are insane... remaining doors are insane... not sure if I should stick to the original parts or use substitutes.

[antp]

As said a few times on this thread, original panels have no interest in the CC, as you can achieve a very similar result with newer (reinforced) panels, or a much better result with the current 1x2x3 windows that didn't exist back then.

For the doors, that's up to you to either pay the price or take other ones more or less similar (either opening the other side, with other design, or even 1x4x6 instead of 1x4x5 but then requiring several other changes).

[talos]

I would substitute anything that has been improved with time, all the old door and window choices especially. I think the look is maintained or improved by doing that. Its still going to cost a lot anyway!

[Oafley Jones]

Earth Blue is Lego's name for BL's Dark Blue. You can see it in this color list: http://www.peeron.co...lors excellent

Thanks JetBlackSVW

[ReplicaOfLife]

Only thing I lost was the character line that goes around on the first floor level really. I think it looks fine with it all the same color though.

You could have replaced the bricks that are tan in the original building with another common color, e.g. dark bluish grey. That would provide some more contrast to the facade.

Anyway, nice build :)

[talos]

You could have replaced the bricks that are tan in the original building with another common color, e.g. dark bluish grey. That would provide some more contrast to the facade.

Anyway, nice build :)

I might just do that change. I have the parts in LBG...I think it looks quite grand as-is for now. I just got the right parts for the fire escape...will add those. I had to really squeeze it into my layout, my table is officially too small now! Not sure if I build a Cafe Corner, if it will fit...I am fast outgrowing my Lego Room...

[Lego Conductor]

Last year I Bricklinked the Green Grocer and was so pleased with the experience. However at that time I said I wouldn’t Bricklink Café Corner! Well…..now got about 70% of the pieces for the Café Corner! When I did the Green Grocer I had about 30% of the pieces on hand (thank you Haunted House) and the price on the 1x2 Sand Green brick with groove were rising fast, so didn’t want to wait. With this Café Corner I am starting from scratch. I did substitute the panels with 1x2x3 windows and panes. Rest is pretty close to original model. What prompted me was the availability of the New Dark Red slopes in the Elves line. The rest of the rare pieces weren’t too bad (white skis, earth blue arches, etc.) only the white 2x4x3 windows did some serious damage to the wallet. Like $50 usd for 5 used ones! Couple more orders and will start to build.

[antp]

That window can be replaced by the hollow stud version, i.e. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=60598 instead of http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4132

Then you have to use http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=60608 as panes instead of http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4133 but I suppose that the result would be similar enough considering the price difference...

[talos]

That window can be replaced by the hollow stud version, i.e. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=60598 instead of http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4132

Then you have to use http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=60608 as panes instead of http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4133 but I suppose that the result would be similar enough considering the price difference...

I'm planning on making these same substitutions, makes sense, price wise, and the look is maintained.

[TheLegoDr]

Those dark red slopes are also available in the Pet Shop, so they have been done a few times before. It seems people forget that set.

[ItsaBRICKS]

Those dark red slopes are also available in the Pet Shop, so they have been done a few times before. It seems people forget that set.

True, but this Elves set is significantly cheaper than Pet Shop ($50 vs $150) so hopefully more will be bought and parted out.

[Hemlock Falls]

I just recently bricklinked the finishing 40% of GG, it costed me about $160 on top of what I paid for the incomplete set. Not bad.

I was wondering if anyone had any idea how much CC would cost (within like $50-100 variance) to bricklink from scratch?

[ecmo47]

DSC01101 by ecmo47, on Flickr

As said a few times on this thread, original panels have no interest in the CC, as you can achieve a very similar result with newer (reinforced) panels, or a much better result with the current 1x2x3 windows that didn't exist back then.

For the doors, that's up to you to either pay the price or take other ones more or less similar (either opening the other side, with other design, or even 1x4x6 instead of 1x4x5 but then requiring several other changes).

Concur with the above. In the picture, the top level is built with Part #60593 with glass (#60602). The bottom level is built to the original Instruction with part #2326b. As you can see, #605093 has about the same frame thickness as 2362b so blends together very well. Looks MUCH better than using part #87544 which has the reinforced sides. You will have to make a few small mods to the structure since the window now sits parallel to the wall vice perpendicular.

Edited March 20, 2015 by ecmo47

[talos]

I have started my version of a Cafe Corner, and first change I have done is to add a door from the cafe area to the back. I am wondering why they didn't do that on the original. It seems logical that a cafe would have a back door. I want to incorporate some sort of interior too...should be fun..I need to look at what others have done.

[Lego Conductor]

Well down to the last 5 pieces needed. Everything else is on hand or on its way via Bricklink, Brickowl and BnP. But good lord are those last 5 costly. Average of $9 usd for the Bley 2x2 Lower Turn Plate (4258479) and $20 usd for the Bley 4x5 Right Shop Door (4258477). So thats $60 usd to go. Already spent about $450 usd, so much better than the eBay route for sure. Look forward to building in a couple of weeks!

[Withacee]

I just recently bricklinked the finishing 40% of GG, it costed me about $160 on top of what I paid for the incomplete set. Not bad.

I was wondering if anyone had any idea how much CC would cost (within like $50-100 variance) to bricklink from scratch?

We built it from scratch through Bricklink, and paid between 200 and 250 Euros (roughly $220 to $280).

Mind you, we only buy new parts, and only from Dutch sellers (to cut down on shipping cost).

Cafe corner was around the same amount, so was Market street.

PS For Market street, a few parts (like the door mentioned above) was substituted for a more commonly available one.

Also, a few parts were substituted by newer versions (which basically look the same).

Edited March 28, 2015 by Withacee

[Hemlock Falls]

We built it from scratch through Bricklink, and paid between 200 and 250 Euros (roughly $220 to $280).

I really doubt that I can gather all of the pieces for Cafe Corner for $220-280, sounds a little low.

I would guess more like $400-450-500, i guess.

[ecmo47]

^ especially when 20x2362b's (White Panel 1 x 2 x 3 - Hollow Studs) will run you about $100.00.

[stevkir]

^ especially when 20x2362b's (White Panel 1 x 2 x 3 - Hollow Studs) will run you about $100.00.

There you just replace them with the newer style windows and skip paying those crazy prices.

[Withacee]

I really doubt that I can gather all of the pieces for Cafe Corner for $220-280, sounds a little low.

I would guess more like $400-450-500, i guess.

Well, I checked, and it was definitely under $300. As I stated, we did replace a few parts with newer ones, like the roof slopes and the skis above the door, and we replaced the door with a different one.

There you just replace them with the newer style windows and skip paying those crazy prices.

Ah yes, we did that too. We're purists, my wife and I, but not to that extend.

Mind you, in total we did pay an extra 50 to 100 Euros or so.

But that's because we built in an interior!

Edited March 29, 2015 by Withacee

[Hemlock Falls]

Well, I checked, and it was definitely under $300.!

Well, that's good to hear.

I think I might have to try it soon.

[Lego Conductor]

In regards to the price for Bricklinking the Cafe Corner I've currently spent just around $500 usd. The only substitution I did was to replace the 20 white wall panels (4585448) with 20 white window frames 1x2x3 and 10 transparent window panes. All other parts are original. Only wished it cost me $300 or less!

[talos]

I have gotten about 2/3 of the way through building my CC, I have made several substitutions, the biggest would be the windows so far. I am quite happy with the 1x2x3 glassed in frames. Its like the designer said, if those were available when it was first done, he would of used them. I have built in an interior of the cafe, mainly to have something to do while I wait for more specific parts! I am trying to devise floor plans for the upper two levels. So far, the 1st floor (2nd level) has 2 rooms and a bathroom, and a reception desk area. Not laid out the top floor yet, since it currently doesn't exist!

I haven't found many photos of others layouts, mainly just for the cafe. Does anyone know where to find any more photos of how they did theirs? I need to get onto google I guess.

[SFmuscle73]

I have gotten about 2/3 of the way through building my CC, I have made several substitutions, the biggest would be the windows so far. I am quite happy with the 1x2x3 glassed in frames. Its like the designer said, if those were available when it was first done, he would of used them. I have built in an interior of the cafe, mainly to have something to do while I wait for more specific parts! I am trying to devise floor plans for the upper two levels. So far, the 1st floor (2nd level) has 2 rooms and a bathroom, and a reception desk area. Not laid out the top floor yet, since it currently doesn't exist!

I haven't found many photos of others layouts, mainly just for the cafe. Does anyone know where to find any more photos of how they did theirs? I need to get onto google I guess.

I am currently working on my Café Corner. I have combined two Café Corners side by side and its about 85% complete. As an example, the Ground Floor is open across the two models and creates one large Café. But getting back to your original question, the hardest part about doing a layout across for the 2nd & 3rd floor hotel is that the windows do not line up in elevation, so the floor plans will vary - for better or worse. I also made a modification for the 2nd & 3rd floors and I squared of their inverted back corner such that is has a similar effect as the backside of the Grand Emporium. By squaring off that back corner, I gained more interior space for hotel use. I am currently working on the flat roof above the dark red slope bricks and as I have made some serious modifications - it's been a challenge! Once I finished the model I will be posting my first AFOL pictures ever - probably three months out or so.

[vidarf]

I built the green sand blue grocer a few days ago. Still waiting for some parts, but most of it is finished. I substituted sand green with sand blue, the dark blue arches over the shop windows with light blue (compliments the sand blue nicely) and used a lot of 1x2,4,6 in stead of 1x8 in light bluish gray. Very happy with the look of it!

Now on to the other modulars. I intend to do a lot of substitutions there as well; no need to go 100% purist when the prices of some parts are as they are (in my opinion at least).

Still need to make interior in the SBG (sand blue grocer) upper floors, and am pondering whether I should do something to the pet shop brown building as well.

I could buy some of the modulars in completed sets, but I actually find the hunt for parts very amusing. And in the end, I will end up spending about the same as a complete set - but I can spread it over time. I print out parts lists and have the parts in different bags, and when I order stuff I can go bulk on parts that are used widely.

Do not ask me for a quote on the "SBG" - I have no idea! :)