The big news that came out this past weekend is the unofficial reveal of the #10246 LEGO Modular Detective’s Office. I’m saying unofficial because so far we only got a couple of blurry images, but what we can see looks exciting! The set should be officially revealed this weekend, so we should get better images soon. But let’s take a look at what we got. 🙂
The #10246 LEGO Detective’s Office is the latest in the highly popular LEGO Modular Buildings line. The series is especially a favorite of adult LEGO fans, as they contain very interesting building techniques and also make great display sets. As you will notice from the logo in the upper right corner, it is part of the LEGO Creator Expert Builder line – these are large sets that are particularly geared towards older LEGO fans. (Also interesting to note the new logo for LEGO Creator Expert Builder.)
As far as the building itself, we have a pool-hall in the bottom left, with a small detective agency on top. On the right there is a barbershop with a two-story apartment on the second and third floors. With the small and cramped spaces and different colors and textures the whole setup has a “shady-side-of-town” feel to it, which we haven’t seen in the LEGO Modular Buildings line before. From the viewing angle at the front of the box the set looks a bit too busy and shabby, but all of that is on purpose, highlighting the randomness of the whole construction, compared to the more deliberate and clean architectural style of the previous LEGO Modular Buildings. If you are a little worried that all this is a bit too much, look at the small pictures on the right-side of the box. I know it is hard to make them out, but if you blow them up a bit you will see them better (you can also click on the pictures for a larger version). The whole setup looks really good when you look at it straight on from the front, and also the back-view is really phenomenal! In fact I kind of like it better than the front!
If you look at the back of the box you can see how the #10246 LEGO Detective’s Office compares to some of the other LEGO Modular Buildings. I think it fits right in and looks especially good next to the #10243 LEGO Parisian Restaurant. In addition, at the back of the box you can see some of the inside action, including the barbershop, the pool table, the inside of the detective’s office, and some details of the apartments, the roof, and the little alleyway in between the buildings.
When I first heard about this set I spent one evening reading about the history of barbershops, how they got the iconic swirling barber’s pole and what was going on in these places. For example, did you know that the origin of the red and white barber pole is associated with the service of bloodletting and was historically a representation of bloody bandages wrapped around a pole? During medieval times, barbers performed surgery on customers, as well as tooth extractions. The original pole had a brass wash basin at the top (representing the vessel in which leeches were kept) and bottom (representing the basin that received the blood). The pole itself represents the staff that the patient gripped during the procedure to encourage blood flow. Barbershops were also an important meeting place for men where in the mornings they caught up on the daily news and gossip. In addition, barbershops have a darker side, but since we have some young readers here I won’t delve into it. You can read more about the barber pole here, and barber shops here (both on Wikipedia). It is quite fascinating.
Pools halls or billiard halls are other establishments with a dubious side. Yes, you can play pool and other games, but if you have seen enough movies you know there are other things going on as well. I’m planning to fill this section of the set with a bunch of shady-looking guys. Above the pool hall is the detective’s office, which looks quite disheveled – typical daily hell-hole for a small-time investigator. And this is probably the best feature of this entire set; the whole darker side of city life, without getting too much into detail. A really interesting and bold move from LEGO. I assume the set was designed by Jamie Berard, who is well known for his realistic yet playful designs and interesting building techniques.
Talking about unique techniques, there are plenty to find in this set. Take a look at the small ball-joints (that first appeared in the LEGO Mixels sets) used for the columns at the front of the pool hall. Or the round tiles with hole in the middle to spell out POOL. Or how about Unikitty’s tail in gray under the roof, or the handle of the paint-roller for hanging the lights? And of course LEGO fans will be very happy to get so many of those brick pieces, light yellow colored elements, and new accessories like the scissors (which will also appear in the LEGO Friends and LEGO Elves line next year).
All in all the #10246 LEGO Modular Detective’s Office looks like a fantastic set. While it is a large set I can’t imagine being bored building any stage of it (unlike the #10224 LEGO Modular Town Hall which – although I really like – was a pain to build). Again, we should be getting more details and have more pictures by the end of this week, early next week. The set should be available on January 1st, 2015 at official LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop. In the meantime you can check out the current LEGO Modular sets at the Online LEGO Shop.
And talking about the LEGO Modular Town Hall reminded me that there is another set I wanted to show you. This one is not an official LEGO set at this point, but perhaps it may become part of the LEGO Modular Buildings line. The LEGO Natural History Museum was submitted by LEGO fan tjspencer1 at LEGO Ideas about a year ago, and it has recently achieved the necessary 10,000 supporters for LEGO to consider making it an official set.
This is a very interesting development for both LEGO Ideas and the LEGO Modular Buildings line. So far LEGO Ideas sets have been kept under the $50 threshold, and this set is obviously won’t fit that range. Will LEGO allow such a large set coming from the LEGO Ideas program? The set is also designed in such a way that it would fit within the LEGO Modular Buildings line. It is about the same size as the #10224 LEGO Modular Town Hall, but with a lot more interesting features. Would LEGO want to share the profits on one of their most popular and most expensive lines? I’m really curious to see how LEGO will handle it. The response for the LEGO Natural History Museum has been overwhelmingly positive. The designer was obviously able to solve the problem some of the larger LEGO Modular Buildings had; too boring and uninspired on the inside. The LEGO Natural History Museum is interesting, engaging and comes with play features that can ignite the imagination of both children and adults. Natural History Museums are just plain fun, and capturing all of wonder and discovery in LEGO within a line that has already been successful has been a really good idea. Perhaps even too good? We should see in the next review results.
So what do you think? How do you like the #10246 LEGO Detective’s Office? Would love to hear your opinion on this set! Also, how do you feel about the LEGO Natural History Museum? Is this a set you would like to see LEGO approve in their next review period? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the LEGO Modular Houses section for more news, reviews and discussions, or select from the following posts:
I highly doubt those are light yellow pieces. My guess is they are actually tan. This is a terribly low quality image…
Eric, this is all what we have now, but more should be availbe by next week. The pool-hall is indeed light-yellow. Same color as in the LEGO Friends sets. It has been confirmed by people who have seen the set already. 😉
Sold on this already. And as noted before will be the first modular that I actually build rather than strip for parts.
I’ve been wanting to do the natural history museum in London in lego for years but my last manual estimate came out at not far off 60,000 bricks!
I can’t wait to get this. Your information about sinister barbers reminds me of the movie Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street movie with Johnnie Depp, which my brother forced me to watch one Christmas. Definitely sinister and gruesome. Not my kind of movie at all. I’m super excited about this one. I’d love to have it near some shady docks paired close to this set http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Helicopter-Arrest-60009
LOL! I forgot about that set! Yeah, it would be a great combo! Also, I find it interesting that on the back picture the “child star” from the Palace Cinema in her fancy limousine is cruising towards the bad part of town. That can’t have a good ending. 🙄
LOL. I haven’t seen that but it sounds pretty bad. A kidnapping!!! With a ranosm!!!
And then the detective has to find her? Yes please, I would like that story!
This set is so awesome, I spent some time drooling at it yesterday and picked up most of the details. 😀 Yes, that “POOL” sign is sweet, and the mason bricks, and the rare colors. You didn’t mention the BIONICLE fist pieces on the roof though. They’re kind of hard to see, and I haven’t yet found their angle, but they are there. I didn’t notice those paint-roller handles before, though. I really like the pool table and the ceiling fan above it: snowshoes as blades! ❗ Looks like there’s a mirror piece in the barbershop as well. A sticker? The second floor of that contains a lot of empty space, too, a little disappointing there. 😕 LDD, here I come. 🙂
I like the idea of a museum modular, the line definitely needs one of some kind, and natural history is the best! I suppose this would include another dinosaur skeleton, which would be nice with the RI one. I doubt it will pass, but hopefully it will give LEGO the idea and they will make a museum soon.
BTW, admin, did you get my email I sent yesterday? I finally got around to it. 😐
Yes, I did get your email. I will be working on your post soon. Probably tomorrow. 🙂
I’m also wondering about that mirror in the barbershop. I hope it is not a sticker, but most likely it is. The apartment above the barbershop is quite a curious design and there is obviously something we don’t know about the set yet. The bottom floor of the apartment basically just have a public restroom. Which doesn’t make any sence if this indeed an apartment. But besides the restroom, as you said, there is a lot of empty space. And on the top floor there is just a kitchen. Where the badguys are baking cookies?… 😯
Again, it seems like there is still a lot we don’t know. I’m really looking forward to this weekend when the set supposed to be officially revealed. I like what I see, and will definitely get it, but I want to know the story too.
I knew about the BIONICLE fist pieces but I didn’t want to mention them because I’m reallky not sure how they work. As you said, the angle is not clear. And yes, the ceiling fan is a nice design! 😛
The fists seems to grip a 16 stud long technic axle, with a 1×2 brick with a plus-shaped hole at both sides holding it in place.
Oh, that makes sense!
Ok, great (about the email).
I too think the mirror is stickered, but that would be a first for modulars, as I don’t believe any have yet come with stickers. But I may be wrong, I’m not a modular expert. 😕 But who says it’s the bad guys’ apartment on top of the barbershop, right next to the Detective’s office? That would seem pretty dumb… or it could be brilliant.
@Legonizer that makes sense. It seems to be this piece: http://brickset.com/parts/4619077 with the back side facing out. Also, note that axles can’t run through the fists, there would have to be two stud long axles between each piece. 😉
So, if a set retires but is not a highly sought after set such as the modulars, does it generally go up much in the resale market? I still want some of the city sets that have been out for a while such as museum break in and the helicopter attack I linked above but know they’ve probably been out for a while. I’m worried that I’ll miss them or that the price will jack up if they are discontinued. I don’t imagine they’re big collector sets though.
Kim in my experience it depends on popularity, theme and rarity. The bigger lego exclusives such as the modulars, star wars UCS models etc generally skyrocket after going out of production.
Having said that there are plenty of sets that dont. I have picked up sets that are 4-5 years old at close to retail so there’s hope.
If your happy to I would suggest second hand/used as it makes things cheaper (unless you need it MSIB). Most city sets in common themes (fire, police) tend to stay at sensible prices.
Thanks Tom! I don’t absolutely need stuff MSIB but like to if it is at least still available from Lego or other retailers new. I know though there is a lot of even older city stuff that I’ve seen new that is a lot more expensive than I want to pay, so I tend to try to find those used. But thanks for the tip. It helps to know when you can wait on stuff or when you need to scoop it up right away.
Agree – if you can get it direct from a retailer its less hassle.
Personally 90% of my collection is bulk lots from ebay but thats for “general” moccing rather than set specific stuff.
Ebay can be hit and miss but on the whole here in the uk I’ve had few problems.
Bricklink though tends to be much clearer around condition etc though
This looks really good…I might just make it my first modular set! I can start to afford them now that LEGO Tolkien is ending. The figures in this set are really diverse, which I’m a huge fan of. The different, newer hairpieces are a great inclusion.
I expect it’ll be one of the cheaper modulars for my wallet’s sake! XP
That is… amazing…
Hey admin, I added in the new suit names to my name… 😛 😛
LOL! That is awesome! 😛
Do you think the new ones are called Jungle? 😛
LOL! I think Jungle Jay sounds awesome, and with LEGO there is no reason why you can’t make up your own stories and own names. So yeah, I vote for Jungle! But I’m not sure if LEGO can hear me from here. 🙄
Awesome. I’ll take 3 of each please. 😀
That actually may not be a bad idea. Right now I would be happy to just have one, but getting several opens up a whole lot more possibilities with such an intersting set! 😛
I can’t wait to get my hands on this set, it will be my first building set that I’ve ever bought. (Really awesome pool table!!!) the images are blurry but there not that bad at all.
how come it says, comment is awaiting moderation? Did I say something inappropriate? If I did, sorry about that.
No need to worry about that. It’s just the moderation software doing its job. It is only there to keep out the badguys and keep our community safe, but sometimes it catches a regular comment for whatever reason. It just means I manually have to approve it so there s a little bit of delay. 🙂
Okay just checking, thanks admin. and Jay. Awesome name! its really long, BUT AWESOME!!! 😎
Can anyone find the PDF of the building instructions online?
They are not available on LEGO’s website yet, but it should be uploaded soon. You can find all instrutions here: http://service.lego.com/en-us/buildinginstructions