Architecture Sets - Flat Iron Building vs some others

klatu003

The architecture series sets are variable in size and building satisfaction.  After recently completing the #21019 Eiffel Tower, I assembled the #21023 Flatiron Building.  They are both clever entertaining builds, resulting in a great display models.  Some of the earlier sets in this line felt overpriced and too quickly completed.  The #21003 Space Needle falls in the category, but I wanted that particular iconic landmark for my collection.  I found #21011 Brandenburg Gate underwhelming, #21020 Trevi Fountain engaging.  

What do you think about some of the others?   Are #21006 White House and #21022 Lincoln Memorial too blah, unless you just want those landmarks represented?

ricecake

I enjoyed the #21006 White House build, though a little repetitive at some points. I just built the #21022 Lincoln Memorial last night. It was much smaller than I was expecting, so the repetitiveness of putting in the columns wasn't too bad. I also had never handled the microfigures in person before.

I also have #21013 Big Ben, #21016 Sungnyemun, and #21017 Imperial Hotel. Out of those, I would say the Imperial Hotel was the most impressive build for me, followed by Sungnyemun and then Big Ben.

I will be getting the Eiffel Tower set at some point.

Paging @henrysunset... :smile:

Coyotelily

I haven't bought the Lincoln memorial but when I saw it on display in the lego store I thought it looked more like something from a poly bag it was so small!

leetshoe

From the 6 l have l'd rank them.
1. Eiffel Tower
2. Sydney Opera House
3. UN HQ
4. Big Ben
5. Guggenheim
6. Seattle Space Needle

The Eiffel Tower is by far my favorite. It's nice and tall, fun to build, and fairly priced. Seattle Space Needle is by far the worst. It's too small and light. l plan to get more of the series since they are nice to build and displace.

iplante

I have 
Lincoln memorial
eiffel tower
sydney opera house
big ben
trevi fountain
leaning tower of pisa
empire state building
sears tower

the most entertaining was by far the trevi fountain. I actually enjoyed them all, even the super simple Empire State Building 

legogal

Marina Bay Sands (some consider it to her Architecture) and Falling Water are right up there for me. Trevi Fountain is also a fun build. I have most of them, and they look wonderful on the shelf. So go for it if you are thinking about building one of them. 

iplante

I don't understand why people dislike the Sydney opera house, either. It's not a repetitive build like the leaning tower of Pisa or Big Ben. I thought it was a clever, enjoyable short build and the model looks pretty good

SumoLego

The Lincoln Memorial is a terrible build.

khmellymel

I've only bought the ones where I've actually visited the landmark, and I still need to get the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Trevi Fountain (and the Marina Bay Sands, but I'm not holding my breath...).  So the number of ones I've actually built are quite small, but I totally agree with the Seattle Space Needle being the worst.  It was my first Architecture set too, and that put me off for a good while... but I couldn't resist picking up Big Ben when I was in the US (it was a good price) and that renewed the interest again :)

BooTheMightyHamster

I was given the Seattle Space Needle as a Christmas present and I really liked it.  Maybe the whole 'not paying for it' thing coloured my judgement, but I thought the simplicity of the whole thing was delightful.  Plus the curve means it feels disproportionately 'right' in your hand if you pick it up.

I've only built a few others so far - Fallingwater and the Flatiron building - but as a theme I'm really impressed.  I've got several more on the 'to build' pile at the moment, and I can't wait for the Louvre!

CapnRex101

I only have the Eiffel Tower, UN Headquarters, Guggenheim Museum and Flatiron Building. Of those the Flatiron is my favourite by quite a margin as I don't think the scale forces as many inaccuracies as it does on the others.

The UN Headquarters was probably the most enjoyable build for me.

Kevin_Hyatt

Of the ones I've owned I likes White House and Big Ben, although Big Ben clock faces aren't right.
My favourite though is UN HQ. Great build and looks great when done.

natro220

My personal favorite is Fallingwater, but I'm a huge Frank Lloyd Wright fan.  It a lot of plates and tiles, but the end product looks amazing.

MrJackson

I have several as well, and have a few thoughts on the line at large.
First off, I work at a Lego store as my second job. Yes, it's as awesome as you think.
Seeing the built models on a day-to-day basis and watching people's reactions to them is very eye-opening. I'll start with the ones I have, in order of my preference for them:
UN Building - entertaining build, looks great, the first set I recommend to people
Flatiron - good building techniques, and a good interpretation of the landmark. Fun build, nothing too surprising but not repetitive either.
Eiffel Tower- it's a cool slightly futuristic interpretation that displays nicely.
Sydney Opera House -  agree with an above comment: small, but not repetitive, and effective considering its size
Leaning Tower - while I think it displays well and like the clean aesthetic, the repetitive build knocks points off
Empire State Building - easy, simple, doesn't match the scale of the others even remotely, but a quick build that is actually somewhat elegant.
Space Needle - agree with most everyone else. It's the only one that if it were to get lost I probably wouldn't replace it

Now to the store:
Imperial Hotel, if you can find it, is a very imposing set. I would totally endorse it.
Trevi Fountain: I was privileged enough to build the one in the display. It's a great set! Fun build, looks good, very elegant. Of the currently available sets, this and the UN Building are my favorites.
White House: Like a lot of modern cars it seems, this one looks better in person
Lincoln Memorial: TOTALLY disappointing, personally. And it seems that's the public's reaction as well.
Big Ben - actually a creative use of pieces for greebling around the top of the building. Not a bad set in the least. 

Finally, I got my mother Fallingwater as a birthday present two years ago. Design- and structure-wise, this may be the best of the bunch. Looks fantastic on the mantle, too.

FWIW