ANNOUNCING ASSEMBLY SQUARE

The LEGO Group mark ten years of Modular Buildings with their biggest Modular offering yet

Words: Lewis Matthews Photography: The LEGO Group

With the Modular Buildings’ ten-year anniversary approaching, rumours started to fly about what the newest addition would be, with many people expecting the biggest Modular yet as a special anniversary celebration. As it happens, what the LEGO Group released is almost a whopping 1300 pieces larger than the previous largest offering of 10224 Town Hall. This makes 10255 Assembly Square the largest Modular release yet (so much so you have an added 16x32 baseplate!)

So where to begin with this immenselydetailed offering? You really are spoilt for choice; the scene is set around a busy square with three buildings that surround a fountain. It’s all rather picturesque. There’s a remarkably familiar cafe, florist and bakery that make up the ground floor, a photography studio, music store and (not one for the squeamish) dental surgery on the first floor and a rooftop terrace, dance studio and beloved Adult Fan of LEGO apartment on the top floor. The whole scene is bursting with energy, detail and intelligent design, which is sure to please the majority of Modular fans out there, and we’re sure will convert a few new fans! Here’s a closer look at some of the details and references to past Modulars. At street level, there’s a cafe (deja vu anyone?), a florist and a bakery

One floor up there’s a photo studio, a music shop and a dentist

At the top, a dance studio, roof terrace and an AFOL’s apartment

CLICK HERE

For floor by floor detail

10255 Assembly Square has just over 4000 pieces

MINIFIGURES

If you were looking for a bit of variety to populate your Modular town with, then this set is certain to please. You have the dreaded yet rather pleasant-looking dentist, a music store assistant, a dancer, a barista, a baker, a florist, a LEGO fan and a pram with a baby figure in it. It’s a really good range of minifigures, with half of them designed without job-specific attire, meaning they will effortlessly populate your street in whatever way you see fit. In particular, the artist with his moustache stands out as a cool asset and who can deny the appeal of the adorable pram and baby - it’s sure to get more than a few people cooing.

“YOU REALLY ARE SPOILT FOR CHOICE HERE”

The dance studio piano is brilliantly designed and the mirror is a great addition. The ballerina skirt is also welcome

Set the street alive with music using the drum set, guitars and saxophone from the music studio

The cafe is beautifully reminiscent of Cafe Corner, with lots of little nods to the original set

The facade has a whole host of references to previous sets including yellow and white awnings from 10182 Cafe Corner, sand green to reflect 10185 Green Grocer, the tower roof from Town Hall and many more for you to spot

NEW ELEMENTS

It’s probably wise to start with the most exciting new elements: the 2x2 and 4x4 macaroni tiles and 2x2 angle corner tiles. These are going to open up a world of possibilities for lots of builders and they are a welcome addition to everyone’s parts inventory - we can’t wait to get hold of some! The 2x2 angle corners even appear in four colours and the 1x1 quarter plate comes in three new colours. This, and the addition of a new SNOT brick - a 1x1 brick with a stud on two adjacent sides - is sure to keep any parts enthusiasts happy and ready to spend their cash.

PRICE POINT

Which leads to my next point. It may be the biggest Modular on the market but brick by brick, it also represents the

best value for money, at only 4.2 pence per brick. This is astonishing when you consider that the majority of the other Modulars all come in at over 5 pence per brick. This makes the relatively high £169.99 price tag much more attractive.

CONCLUSION

Looking through the forums, blogs and social media response from the release reveals that the majority of fans are really happy and excited to see this set hit the shelves. We at Bricks are no different, as the set holds a huge amount of potential and will slot brilliantly into any Modular layout, as well as standing on its own as a wonderful display and play set. What a way to celebrate ten years of Modular Buildings.

The photography studio contains some awesome builds like the old-fashioned camera and infinity curve to get everything picture perfect. Tipping, take note

The florist shop contains plenty of flowers and garden tools to set the scene… and a funky, dual-moulded parrot too!

The rather inviting dental office has a buildable reclining chair and a sink for patients to rinse

The bakery comes equipped with everything you need to make dough, including an oven, countertop and tasty treats. The use of garage doors as windows is a great touch

OTHER REFERENCES

• The cherries in the bin, as well as the use of green baseplates and a unique LEGO box printed tile, is a nod to the highly-desirable 10182 Cafe Corner

• The bakery in blue with the pretzel sign references 10190 Market Street

• A cool rooftop BBQ and updated baby pram link back to 10185 Green Grocer

• You’ll find the kitchen in the apartment and the rooftop door access references 10197 Fire Brigade

• The frieze around the roof of the dance studio and the wedding cake are similar to those found in 10211 Grand Emporium

• Pet lovers will know that the parrot and Chihuahua, the style of the windows and the sand-blue colour of the music and dance studios link back to 10218 Pet Shop

• The tower roof style is built in the same fashion as the tower in 10224 Town Hall

• The vertical wall textures in the music and dance studios have been used before in 10232 Palace Cinema

• There are many links to 10243 Parisian Restaurant including white croissants in the bakery, a fold-out sofa (similar to the foldout bed) and the black roof of the centre building

• The nougat colour of the dentist office as well as the mirror are links to 10264 Detective’s Office

• A portrait of a bank manager and transparent green and clear glass in the flower shop are both nods to the most recent Modular, 10251 Brick Bank