I thought I give a large review of this 2 large modular buildings seeing I got a long weekend to play around with.
The boxesThe boxes for both sets are very large due to the extremely high piece count. As you can see, each set has more than 2200++ pieces and is meant for those 16 and above. The rear of the box shows the features and accessories each set contains. The stuff you get in each set is fantastic and colorful! Also noticed that each of the floors are separate sections which can be removed.
The top of the box shows the piece count and how big is roughly a minifigure.
On the side is a picture of the the set with the minifigures. The kid from the Green Grocer wants to throw the cat from the fire escape!
You get 3 manuals, 1 for each floor. The 3rd manual also describes the construction of the roof.
Grand EmporiumThe Grand Emporium comes with 4 adults and 1 child. We have the window cleaner, the dude in his underware holding his pair of pants, the cashier lady, the lady shopper with her hands full and the lone child in this set.
Another view of the Emporium, this time from a higher point.
A 360 view of the Grand Emporium. As you can see, a modular building is HUGE and has walls on all 4 sides. It is definitely not 1 of those City playsets with the rear part of the building open. The Grand Emporium is based on a corner shop unit. Note the items on the pavement; ice-cream stand, mailbox, street light, potted plants, drain covers etc.
We start off with the roof. The roof have a large advert board with a giant head logo and a large present. It is obvious that this signboard is showing a shopping building. There is also a large window at the center to allow light to enter the emporium.
The highest floor has 3 tables for toys; a whatever it is called bike, balls and a house. The kid's favourite level.
Second floor is I believe is the household section with 2 large bowls and wine glasses.
The ground floor is where the best part of the emporium is; it is where the clothes, perfume and hat department is. There are 2 'mannequins' fronting the glass window as well as 2 hats near the door. The door is a revolving door that you can spin very very fast
The ground floor is also where the poor dude has to hide since he is not wearing his pants. The kid likes to 'kacau' it seems. Next to the escalator is where the only cashier is located in the entire emporium.
At the back is a small door leading to the rear. A small light and a trash can is the only thing that will greet whoever comes from the rear.
It may get quite pack when all the deliveries arrive at once.
A small ice-cream stand provides visitors with some cool ice-cream to enjoy.
Shopping in the Grand EmporiumBeing the newest modular building in town, our camera-touting tourist can't resist taking photos with his girl friend.
Even the cool display at the window is not spared from the shutter bug tourist!
Meanwhile, our friend who lives next door wonders if he should get a new hat.
Impressed with the new tuxedo, our tourist goes snapping again!
As the tourist goes about shopping, our shopaholic pays at the counter. Poor dude is still stuck inside the changing room.
Lady grocer rides the escalator up to the household department with a kid in tow. No guess where the kid wants to go.
As lady grocer contemplates whether to buy a new bowl for her shop, a waiter checks out the new wine glasses.
Ahh the toy department. It even attracted the kid from next door. Since it is still new they still have not figured out where to display the Lego yet. our tourist is impressed by the chandelier and wants to... you know.
Green GrocerThe Green Grocer meanwhile is a intermediate modular building whereby it has a front and back facade. There are great details that go into the front of the building and the back. At the front is a fire hydrant (the hint that the next one was a fire station, hence the Fire Brigade modular building), street lamp etc. At the rear is the fire escape, backlane covered in grass etc.
At the roof section is a small barbecue area where the lady grocer is relaxing during a long weekend. There are 2 seats with an umbrella. Potted plants are hung from the balcony.
The 2nd floor is largely devoid of any furniture except for a grandfather clock, a carpet and a radiator. The 2 dudes there are from other sets and are just lazing at the windows.
The 1st floor is also devoid of any furniture except for a fireplace. Here you can see a lady with a baby stroller which comes with this set.
Another view with the staircase and the rear windows. The large window leads to the fire escape at the rear. There is also a cat hiding in the staircase. The visiting lion tamer tries to get the cat down.
The ground floor is where the Green Grocer really shines; it has a detailed tiled floor, fridge, counter and baskets to hold food
Customers can pick whatever is sold outside which they will later walk in to pay.
Walking in to pay, the customer chats with the grocer. The counter has more goodies for sale.
A view of the stuff inside the fridge. It is full of stuff!!!
Next to the grocer are 4 mailbox for the residents of the green grocer. It even comes with a special 'love letter'!
The rear section is where deliveries are made to the grocer. The area is mostly grass with some trash cans.
ConclusionIn conclusion, both are fantastic modular buildings that can really fit into a town scene. The possibilities for any Legoman type drama are endless. The only downside is that with its sheer size you will find it hard to find a place to display it, especially since there are currently 2 other modular buildings that TLG has made. In the future when more modular buildings are produced, the problem of space will crop up again.
More pictures of a my street scene with the modular buildings.
Bonus!A comparison shot between a 2010 worker (from the Lego Truck set) and a Classic Town worker (from a minifigure set from dunno waht year). Noticed the new guy seem more perky than his elder brother.
