10251

Set Review - Creator Expert - Brick Bank - #10251 - Part 2

In case you missed part 1 of the review, it's here.

With 2380 pieces and 20 bags of LEGOs, this set takes a while to build.  After a few days, I was finally able to put it together.  Here goes...

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There are the contents.  A pretty thick instruction booklet that comes in a wrapped package for protection, a tan base plate, and 4 sets of bags (20 total).  This set also comes with a brick separator which comes in handy given the number of pieces.

The first set of bags is the tiles for the sidewalk and floors along with the start to the first floor.

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The designs for the floors inside the cleaner and bank are awesome.  Some new pieces were used to make the design inside of the bank part.  You can also see the start to the vault to include a vault that opens and closes with a dial.  The vault has a stack of cash... all $100s of course.  The first set of bags comes with one minifigure who is shown working as a bank teller.

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The Brick Bank is a corner building.  The bank side is shown here with the second set of bags complete.  It comes with 2 minifigures, a girl and a woman.  The box shows the woman taking a picture of the girl receiving a check for 500 studs.  You can also see some of the great design features used to make this set stand out.  You'll also notice that there is a decal on the windows.  If you were paying attention, I didn't mention a sticker sheet.  YES!!!  No stickers in this set, everything is already printed on.

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Here is the other side of the bank and "Soap 'n' Suds" the laundromat.  The advertising on the laundromat is fun with a pair of pants and a washing machine.

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Here is a top view of the set with the second set of bags completed.  The vault is complete although you'll notice there is a way for a potential thief to sneak into the vault through a shaft above.  Also, the laundromat has 4 machines to include one for "laundering" your money.  

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The third set of bags complete here with the second floor done.  The second floor has 2 office spaces to include a private office.  The chimney continues to allow a thief down to the vault.  2 more minifigures come with this set of bags.  They are both male figures.  One is shown in the office stamping and another is shown just outside the office at another desk.

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Here is the other side of the building.  You can see the clock attached to the building and the design of the front of the building to include the textured pillars and the window designs.

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Here is the final set .  The top has a large sky light.  Also the picture doesn't show it, but there is a cool looking chandelier that lights the building.  You can also see included is a ladder, broom, and bucket so someone can clean the windows.  

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Here is the front of the building from a corner view.  You can see the tree, bench, and lamp post outside.  Also, there is a pulley that the box shows as a way for them to install the laundry machine on the signage.  It could also be used for a thief trying to climb up.  I don't have it shown, but the set include a LEGO string, black hat, and scarf for one of the characters to put on and sneak into the vault through the chimney.

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I have other modulars, but many are boxed up as I don't have space to have them displayed all the time.  Here is the Detective's Office from last year attached to the Brick Bank.  Both fantastic sets with some creative building techniques.  The Brick Bank does not disappoint.  While you have to shell out some extra cash to get it, it's well worth it.  It's a challenging build with some interesting building techniques.  For those people that like to build MOCs, there are some great pieces in here for building future designs.  

Well done LEGO on another great modular building!

 

Set Review - Creator Expert - Brick Bank - #10251 - Part 1

(CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE REVIEW.)

The LEGO modular building line was started in 2007 and I am a huge fan!  Each set typically has more than 1,000 pieces and many have over 2,000 pieces.  As they have continued to be released, the details have become even more impressive. You don't buy these sets for the minifigures (they exist, but have the standard yellow face), you buy them for the build.  

This year's set is the Brick Bank.  It contains 2,380 pieces and costs $169.99 in the US. This works out to $0.07 per piece (it's actually .07142 and so on, but I figured you all weren't too concerned about that).  Not a bad price at all in terms of price per piece.  It was released on 2 January 2016 and LEGO keeps them out for a few years (some have been on sale for 4 years, others less).  Often times it's best to wait for Double VIP point promotions or other details, but in this case I was given some LEGO gift cards as Christmas gifts so I decided to order it sooner rather than wait for Double VIP points.  

I haven't had a chance to open it yet.  I'll release details on set contents and the build in a future post.  For now, here is the box.

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As you can see from the front, it contains 5 minifigures and the build is split into 2 floors and a roof.  The front of the building is the bank and then along the back, it's a laundromat.  It's a corner building similar to the Cafe Corner, Grand Emporium, and Palace Cinema.  If you're not familiar with the modular buildings, along the bottom of the building are Technic pins that can be attached to other modular buildings (or you can build your own).  

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The back of the box shows some details of the set, the different floors, and what the set looks like next to previous years modular buildings.  This box shows the Detective's Office (and here) as well as the Parisian Restaurant.  I'll go into some of the fun details of the build once I build it.

Has anyone else purchased or built it yet?  Let me know in the comments.

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE REVIEW.