Last year LEGO started a sub-series under the LEGO Architecture theme, called the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection. While most LEGO Architecture sets feature one significant building, the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection looks at a city as a whole, picks some of the most iconic structures, and puts them together into a micro-landscape.
So far there has been six sets in the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection. The #21026 LEGO Architecture Venice, #21027 LEGO Architecture Berlin, and #21028 LEGO Architecture New York City sets were released last year. And this year we got the #21032 LEGO Architecture Sydney, #21033 LEGO Architecture Chicago, and #21034 LEGO Architecture London sets. We looked at the 2016 sets already (see: LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection Review), and today we will talk about the 2017 sets in more detail. 🙂
The LEGO Architecture sets are specifically meant to be display-pieces for adult collectors, so there is more focus on tasteful presentation and sophisticated building techniques (rather than play-features and minifigures). The sets are packaged in high-quality, sleek boxes with flip-up lids, and can be used for long-term storage for the pieces or even the finished models. The instructions booklets are also higher quality than normal, and include information about the designer, architecture and history of the buildings. In the case of the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection, historical facts about the city and its architectural heritage are also added.
The building experience of LEGO Architecture sets is also much different from ordinary LEGO sets. While the models may appear smaller, they are very parts-dense, and can take a surprisingly long time to put together. The focus is on creating faithful replicas of real world buildings on a small scale. This is achieved by using sophisticated building techniques and no skimping on parts. (You will immediately notice that the boxes of LEGO Architecture sets are much heavier than comparably sized regular LEGO sets, because of the unusually high piece-count.) It is also noteworthy that in LEGO Architecture sets all the decorated elements (city nameplates, and all other decorations) are printed (instead of stickered). In summary, the LEGO Architecture sets are not meant to be toys for children, but primarily modeling and display kits for adults.
➡ #21032 LEGO ARCHITECTURE SYDNEY: Capture the architectural essence and splendor of Sydney with this magnificent set that brings together the iconic Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Tower and Deutsche Bank Place, in an inspirational skyline setting. Each individual LEGO structure provides a unique and rewarding building experience with true-to-life color and relative scale depiction. Sydney’s sparkling harbor is represented in the tiled baseplate, adding an extra dimension and feel of authenticity to this detailed recreation of one of the world’s most glamorous cities. Includes a 4×32 tiled base with a decorative “Sydney” nameplate. Measures over 8” (21cm) high, 9” (25cm) wide and 2” (6cm) deep. 361 pieces. Price: $29.99 – BUY HERE
➡ #21033 LEGO ARCHITECTURE CHICAGO: Recreate Chicago’s blend of historical and modern architecture with this realistic LEGO brick model. The LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection offers models suitable for display in the home and office, and has been developed for all with an interest in travel, architectural culture, history and design. Each set is scaled to give an accurate representation of the comparative size of each structure, with true-to-life color depiction. This set features the Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Cloud Gate, DuSable Bridge, Wrigley Building and the Big Red, and is finished with a decorative “Chicago” nameplate. The Chicago River is represented in the tiled baseplate and the DuSable Bridge opens and closes. Measures over 7” (20cm) high, 8” (22cm) wide and 1” (5cm) deep. 444 pieces. Price: $39.99 – BUY HERE
➡ #21034 LEGO ARCHITECTURE LONDON: Celebrate the architectural diversity of London with this detailed LEGO brick model. The LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection offers models suitable for display in the home and office, and has been developed for all with an interest in travel, architectural culture, history and design. Each set is scaled to give an accurate representation of the comparative size of each structure, with true-to-life color depiction. This set features the National Gallery, Nelson’s Column, London Eye, Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) and Tower Bridge, and is finished with a decorative “London” nameplate. London’s Thames River is represented by transparent baseplate tiles. Tower Bridge opens to greet the incoming ship. Measures over 5” (15cm) high, 11” (28cm) wide and 3” (8cm) deep. 468 pieces. Price: $39.99 – BUY HERE
The feature I like the most about the second wave of LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection sets is that they all include water and a bridge. The translucent pieces representing water give the sets a nice sparkle and extra dimension, and the opening bridges make them more interactive. I’m also impressed by the nice color-scheme of the London skyline, and the tiny but instantly recognizable Sydney Opera House. As I lived in Chicago for many years, and love the city, I’m most critical about the Chicago skyline set. All three buildings are well represented, the bridge is nicely done, and I’m happy that “The Bean” was included. However, I would have liked a bit more density. Like maybe the two round towers of Marina City and/or the Water Tower Place, or something from the Navy Pier – all iconic locations from Chicago. But of course, we are dealing with LEGO here, so the set can always be expanded with more buildings.
Overall, the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection is a real winner. Rather than focusing on just one building, you get a more diverse selection representing a city. It’s very impressive that even in such a small scale, the cities are instantly recognizable. These sets make great gift items not just for LEGO fans, but adults in general, as they are perfect for displaying at home or even at the office. The sets are also worth checking out just for the parts, as they often include lots of small and unique elements in rare colors. You can find the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection under the LEGO Architecture section of the Online LEGO Shop.
So what do you think? How do you like the LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection? Do you prefer these sets, or the individual buildings? What other cities would you like to see in the series? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
- LEGO Architecture Skyline Collection Review
- Review of the LEGO Architecture Louvre
- LEGO Architecture Trevi Fountain Review
- LEGO Architecture Eiffel Tower Review
- LEGO Architecture Marina Bay Sands Review
- LEGO Architecture UN Headquarters Review
- LEGO Architecture Studio 30-Day Challenge
- LEGO Architecture Studio Hands-On Review
- LEGO Architecture Studio Set Review
I want the sydney one, because I like the build of the tower and the color sceme of the whole thing!
Yeah, that’s a nice set. I also like the colors 😀
I like this series. It’s interesting to have more than one building in the build. Maybe if they would be a little larger that would be great, but even at this scale they look nice. I wonder how they would look all together.
Well, the scale isn’t really uniform even in one set, and it might look even more off with separate sets placed next to each other.
That’s a good point. I have seen some displays together thought (just loosely put next to each other), and they looked very nice. I can’t remember where I saw they though, so I can’t link to a picture.
I do remember seeing some pictures where people have the sets displayed together. I have also seen some where people expanded on each model (like adding more buildings from that city, expanding the waterfront, etc.) They all looked very nice.
I like these, not as much as regular architecture sets but they are still quite interesting. With this and the proper architecture sets, however I don’t really care for the fancy manual and background to the building. In my opinion all of that presentation just inflates the price. 🙁
It is true that most regular LEGO fans won’t care for the fancy box and presentation, but the target audience for these sets are not so much regular LEGO fans, but architects, designers, casual builders, and people who are looking for gift items. They are mostly sold at giftshops at historic sites, airports, bookstores, hobby stores, and upper scale shops. For the target audience presentation is important. LEGO knows what they are doing. 😉
These sets look very elegant, and since they only release three a year, it shouldn’t be hard to collect. I’m looking forward to seeing other cities they might add. I would definitely like to see Vienna, Budapest, Paris, and Moscow, just to name a few. I think it would also be great to add some middle eastern and Asian cities to the lineup, like Dubai, Singapore, Cairo, and more.
Hm… those are some nice ideas! 🙂