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10234 - Sydney Opera House (Unveiled at Brickworld June 14, 2013)

13

Comments

  • atxleeatxlee Member Posts: 155
    I really want to get this new model but I am scratching my head where to display it.

    I am really amazed that you guys still want the model to be 1000-2000 pieces larger!
    I need to move before being able to display such large models permanently in my lego room.
  • canuhandle23canuhandle23 Member Posts: 104
    the only reason i wanted it larger is Im paying 320 for a set thats under 3k pieces. Even if its psychological i mean this set had to be over 3k pieces. Also if someone is willing to pay 320 which lets be honest is a small minority since this set is geared to afols. Since this isnt a play set and most parents arent buying this for their kids. So if the set is being built for me as a consumer I just wanted them to get to the 379-399 price point and give it more pieces etc. But i do see why people will enjoy the set, I feel its lacking alot for 320 of my dollars...If i catch a sell for 250-275 ill jump in
  • samiam391samiam391 Member Posts: 4,492
    I've been on this forum for a long time, but I've yet to master the "multiquote" so that I can break down your responses @LegoTexasFan

    Time to go old fashioned:

    ":) I get what you're saying... but the answer is no... I don't think adding 1,000 parts to UCS Falcon would have made a lick of difference, the set is about as accurate as LEGO is going to get.

    SSD badly needs another thousand parts, but we won't go there. :)"

    I didn't mention the UCS Falcon. That is one set I think would actually do better without an extra 1,000 pieces. Other sets though, yes... everything would look better with more pieces. Whether that means extra details, larger size, more stability, etc..

    "No, I don't think so... I think that at $320, $400 is not a stretch. Anyone spending $320 on a LEGO display model would also spend $400, given an increase of that size.

    Frankly, I think it was a mistake to break $299 in price, I would think sales on this will be slower than Tower Bridge, but then what do I know? :)"

    I'll admit, I didn't do the best at changing the price to go along with the piece count... I got lazy :o). Price for an extra 1,000 pieces would probably be roughly $430. The difference of $430 to $320 is quite large in my opinion and would scare off quite a few people. I don't have the numbers on it, and neither do you... LEGO would have to decide whether the extra $100 for each buyer outweighs the $320 lost for every person that didn't buy.

    "To some extent, yes...

    Keep in mind that during the video Jamie talks about all the new shapes in dark tan. The thing is, you can't really build this using a bunch of 2x4 and 1x2 bricks, you need all these special parts to do it, which is why if LEGO is going to do that, do it right."

    Point proven right here :o) I'm not saying that we should be confined to 2x4 and 1x2 bricks. Obviously, the more parts the better. However, as far as being confined by instructions.. one should be able to take parts how they want and use them to critique. If you aren't happy with what the instructions put on the table (literally), then you should customize it to what you want.
  • EricEric Member Posts: 376
    I think another consideration they would have made (I hope) would be international markets. If the US RRP was $400, then the Canadian RRP would be $480, and then the Australian would be $500+. I know, I cringed a little at spending $320 on Tower Bridge last year, and I'll certainly be hesitating spending $100 more then that on this, but at a $500+ price point, no matter how big it is, I don't know if I could do it.
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    All this chat about piece counts and no-one has commented on the minifigures that will be included ...

    image

    :-)
    leemcgEric
  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    ^I thought he went with the "Belgium Airport" set??
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    I think it's a fantastic model, one that is instantly recognizable and would serve anyone looking for a "wow" display piece.

    That said, is this a museum piece (only the very hardcore collectors), a collector's piece (most afols) or a mainstream piece (the masses)?

    I think this set is in for a hard battle to be deemed a success. It's way too expensive for mainstream, too expensive for collectors and too cheap for museum.
  • y2joshy2josh Member Posts: 1,996
    CCC said:

    All this chat about piece counts and no-one has commented on the minifigures that will be included ...

    image

    :-)

    ...so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you?
    caperberryLostInTranslation
  • BuriedinBricksBuriedinBricks Member Posts: 1,367
    For those interested in some close up shots, I posted a few on my blog.

    It really does look great in person.
  • mathewmathew Member Posts: 2,099
    I'm sure it looks better in person. But... I'm kind of with LFT on this. The use of large pieces for the "sails" gives it a cheap look. Like a City set on steroids. Unlike Tower Bridge which uses smaller pieces, but has a overall more detailed and polished appearance. I still think the designers did an overall good job with a difficult project.
  • DougoutDougout Member Posts: 888
    Why all the negativity? I, for one, can't wait for this set and will pick it up almost immediately in September. Looks like it might coincide with a 10% off lego coupon as well.
  • doriansdaddoriansdad Member Posts: 1,337
    After seeing the video the sails look like absolute garbage which is a shame because the dark tan areas are so well done and so accurate. Hopefully someone more creative than I will come up with a mod and instructions to give the sails the proper curved look...the gaps down the middle of the sails I can live with as there are gaps in the actual building but those clumsy large white pieces seem to exacerbate the gaps. The stairs and the rear of the model are very well done so I will be displaying this with the rear facing forward. I will probably add some purple led lights and turn it sideways after dark. I can tell the designer was constrained by parts count and did the best he could with the sails under those limitations.

    At the end of the day I would have preferred more accurate sails at $399. I also think a few seagulls that came with series 10 sea captain would have been a very cute touch and given it more of an ocean front feeling than just the few blue visible studs on the baseplate.
  • AFFOL_Shellz_BellzAFFOL_Shellz_Bellz Member Posts: 1,263
    After seeing @iccarus photos I'm even more disappointed in the sails as well. I will need to see it in person before I'll make a final decision on purchasing it.
  • caperberrycaperberry Member Posts: 2,226
    Dougout said:

    Why all the negativity? I, for one, can't wait for this set and will pick it up almost immediately in September. Looks like it might coincide with a 10% off lego coupon as well.

    I don't think it's negativity on the whole, although yes there have been silly comments. Mostly I think it is criticism that they went ahead with the set when they couldn't fully achieve the sails in LEGO pieces, which are after all the key feature of the building. As Jamie says in the video, TLG have considered an Opera House model several times in the past but decided against it so clearly the issue is present in their minds too.

    Although it's NQR (not quite right, as Aussies say) I'm fine with that - these are not precision scale models, they're LEGO interpretations. I felt similarly slightly robbed by Tower Bridge being so heavily narrowed, but hey I loved it and I know I'll love this because the build is going to be incredible; possibly the most challenging Exclusive ever.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    This may be a 'silly' comment, but I think its more than pretty rubbish and utterly uninspiring. In person, the bottom of the real SOH is only a base for the sails - that's the impressive part of the SOH, in fact as a piece of art its all about the sails. The base, especially from the harbour reminds me more of something you'd expect to see in the Atlantic Wall.

    So whilst TLG might have done a good job with the base, it really doesn't matter as its little more than a big brown block. And then, and what completely kills this set for me, the sails just don't work, they're the wrong shape, the wrong proportion, they're gappy and they don't have the smooth rounded feel (understandably) that they should, actually that they need.

    This thing is big, it needs detail, but its exactly the opposite.

    As others have said why LEGO even went with this when its just not possible to do it well, at least to a piece count that they are willing to use, is beyond me. You'd think that after the junk that is the architecture SOH, they would have realised and given up.

    If this thing cost the same as a modular I'd buy the modular, it just looks horrible and other than for parts I see almost zero value in it. Perhaps I've been spoilt with mocs, but then TM and TB are both very nice, this is just a waste of a slot.
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    I also agree the sails don't work quite right. There are some fantastic MOCs out there, but I guess they all use non-Lego legal techniques to get the curvature right. I think when viewed from a couple of angles, or from afar, it is reasonable. But up close, not so good.
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    And that's the problem, how many of us have display areas that you'll be viewing it from afar and more to the point, who wouldn't want to get up close and personal with it - at which point the disappointment sets in.
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,940
    Well done to Jamie on the build. It seems like something he is passionate about (guessing he got a free trip to Australia out of it as well) and a it is a great.

    If I saw this at an exhibition I'd be impressed. Would I want it on my shelf? (or would it even fit?) No chance. It's just too darn big (And at $300 dollars, I just wonder who is going to actually buy this. I wonder how many architectural fans there are?)

    Surely he missed a trick on the introduction though. He should have had the architectural set on first then... "Call that an Opera House? THIS is an Opera house".
    caperberrycarlqTheLoneTensory2josh
  • caperberrycaperberry Member Posts: 2,226
    I wondered if he got a trip too. Someone once told me they don't get trips for these, maybe it was Jamie on the Tower Bridge video, but the detail about which he speaks of it makes me wonder. Although I guess they were supplied with detailed plans.
  • legoprodslegoprods Member Posts: 445
    This set is going to be worth it just for the build. For us un-expert builders, it's such an intriguing build. I won't be looking at how-tos or videos before I do it in person, to have the surprise.
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    caperberry said:

    Although it's NQR (not quite right, as Aussies say) I'm fine with that - these are not precision scale models, they're LEGO interpretations.

    Excellent point, and I agree completely. There's still no way I'm buying it though - too big & too expensive.

    andhe
  • LegoMom1LegoMom1 Member Posts: 651
    edited June 2013
    itsnotme said:

    LegoFanTexas said:

    Yes, I have... My wife is Australian, she has taken me there before and of course she spent many years in Sydney.

    My wife is a Martian and she thinks the Curiosity Rover is a bit too small.
    My cousin is a hobbit, and he says Bilbo Baggins house, #79003, is just right.

    canon03itsnotme
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    andhe said:

    It's just too darn big (And at $300 dollars, I just wonder who is going to actually buy this. I wonder how many architectural fans there are?)

    Well, how many people bought the SoL, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Tower Bridge? I'd say the market for the Large Scale Landmark models is pretty well proven by now. the SOH is smaller than both the Taj and the Bridge, and the ET sits on a bigger base and is much taller (though is likely less mass), so it's not like it's breaking any new ground size-wise.

  • y2joshy2josh Member Posts: 1,996
    ^It actually has a larger footprint than Tower Bridge and, because its design features so much less empty space, I assume it appears more substantial in a side by side comparison (which it ought to, given the $80 difference).

    Regardless, I expect it to sell as well as any of the others. I know I'll be picking it up as soon as I can recover from the Ewok Village.
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    I doubt I will purchase this. For starters, and the most simple reason, I will likely pick up Ewok Village around then and thats also when I'll probably start saving heavily for x-mas purchases.

    However, the whole line this comes from doesn't necessarily appeal to me, only my opinion, but I wouldnt have the space to display nor can i tolerate that price. Lastly, no mini figures! To me, part of LEGO is having the mini figures to put together before the build...ah well...
  • emilewskiemilewski Member Posts: 482
    I was hugely excited about this, and was very pleased when the first pictures came out. After having given it some time for the initial thrill to wear off, I am less excited about it. The very high price tag coupled with a lack of space to display it are the main turn-offs for me. It will stay on my want list though...if I never end up getting it I will be fine, but if it goes on a large clearance in the end (like B-wing was) I would grab one. I agree this is a LEGO interpretation and very well done given the constraints.
  • binaryeyebinaryeye Member Posts: 1,831
    dougts said:

    Well, how many people bought the SoL, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Tower Bridge? I'd say the market for the Large Scale Landmark models is pretty well proven by now.

    It should be noted, though, that all of the previous landmark sets involve towers. Comparatively, the SOH just isn't as immediately impressive.
  • LegofanscottLegofanscott Member Posts: 622
    edited June 2013
    binaryeye said:

    dougts said:

    Well, how many people bought the SoL, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Tower Bridge? I'd say the market for the Large Scale Landmark models is pretty well proven by now.

    It should be noted, though, that all of the previous landmark sets involve towers. Comparatively, the SOH just isn't as immediately impressive.
    Which is why it shouldve been Big Ben not the Sydney Opera House :)

    But i guess it couldnt really of been another London Landmark :(
  • EricEric Member Posts: 376
    I think the Leaning Tower of Pisa should be the next one. Would be cool.
  • pillpodpillpod Member Posts: 273
    I like the leaning tower but it would be too repetitive of a build in my opinion.
    Eric
  • caperberrycaperberry Member Posts: 2,226
    I find it interesting that people would decide not to buy something because it isn't a tower!

    SOH has a flytower, will that do? ;O)
  • SirBenSirBen Member Posts: 592
    sidersdd said:

    ^ Well, I'm not sure of the context of your "this test product."

    I thought it might be the roller coaster parts that Adam Tucker (designer behind most of the Architecture sets) is unveiling at the show. I wasn't going to reveal anything but found this on the Brickworld Presentation list, which is public info:


    Community: Roller Coaster Sneak Peek
    Led by Adam Reed Tucker

    Brickstructures, Inc. will be unveiling the 2 year-in-the-making roller coaster kit project. Adam will be explaining the process of designing from concept through finished production alongside the engineers of Coaster Dynamics who will explain the physics behind it all and show several prototype models.
    I don't think Adam's work is being done in direct connection with TLG though. So if your "this test product" refers to something TLG is announcing, then it may be something else.

    @canon03 and others who were hoping for a Roller Coaster, such a Lego-compattible kit is now available for pre-order at http://www.therollercoasterfactory.com/. The press release can be found at http://www.coaster101.com/2013/06/10/x-labs-roller-coaster-factory/ while additional details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/coasterdynamix?hc_location=timeline
  • canon03canon03 Member Posts: 364
    @SirBen Thanks for the links. I wasn't aware you could already preorder the kit.
  • SirBenSirBen Member Posts: 592
    canon03 said:

    @SirBen Thanks for the links. I wasn't aware you could already preorder the kit.

    You're welcome. The preorder site went live today around 10am CST. I've been watching for it since the kit was unveiled at Brickworld.

  • DougoutDougout Member Posts: 888
    Just finished the Sydney Opera House. It was a good build, a bit tricky positioning the sails as I was putting it together. There is a bunch of empty space inside the model, but the structure is solid. I like the asymmetry of it too. Many, many close fits as well. For example, the sails touch one another ever so slightly and the rounded back gate at the water has points sticking inward that need to be positioned just right. Sorry for the glare in the photos, stupid auto flash.

    imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage
    AdeelZubairPoochyBrickDancernerick906khmellymeljosephliyen
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,704
    edited August 2013
    I will buy #10234 in October 2013 or March 2014 if its hard to save up this year. Its worth buying this in these months for Double VIP Points.
  • legogallegogal Member Posts: 754
    @Dougout,
    The photos look wonderful to me. Thanks!
    They were creating a LEGO interpretation of the real thing, and I think it looks outstanding!
    In person, viewing the real thing in the harbor just sucks the air out of your lungs...this set brings back those memories, so I bought it the first day.
    Will add a few seagulls and tourists, which would have been nice with the set.
    Dougout
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    It's a good looking set and is quite impressive in person. If you're a fan, you could do much worse than picking it up.

    Unfortunately, the very nature of the set (it's awesome size) makes it an absolute no-go for me. It would take the footprint of 4 modulars, which in comparison are much more fun.
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,704
    I want #10234, I really don't know were is display it, my desk is my only option. I used my loose bricks to build a wall 48x80 and it hangs off about 16x32 studs. I may need to get a bigger desk...
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,704
    I have seen four reveiws for #10236 but not one for #10234, why has not one person done a review for #10234?
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    ^
    a) It just came out
    b) People aren't exactly flocking to it
  • graphitegraphite Member Posts: 3,275
    ^^ One word. Ewoks. Nuff said.
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,704
    @graphite, I would choose #10234 Sydney Opera House over #10236 Ewok Village.
  • graphitegraphite Member Posts: 3,275
    ^ that was obvious from your comment. You asked why no one had done a review but there were four for Ewok village. I gave you the answer.
  • mathewmathew Member Posts: 2,099
    I've sort of come to the conclusion that I don't particularly like the Sydney Opera House. I think it's because I want it to be something else. In Lego form, it looks very "alien". That's actually a good thing. I want it be a futuristic airport with a monorail running through it and an attached landing pad for a spaceship. But then I see the attempt at making it look like the real Sydney Opera House and it sort of fails in that respect. One can say that because it's Lego I can do whatever I want with it. And yes that's true, but at $320 it includes a lot of elements like all of those dark tan pieces that don't fit in with my vision of the futuristic airport. Oh well.
  • 12651265 Member Posts: 1,156
    edited August 2013
    I'll wind up getting both, but the #10236 Ewok Village is a great looking set with tons of playability and good look figs. The #10234 Opera House looks impressive for the size, but that's it. Sort of looks like a bunch of turtles with their heads buried in the sand.
  • HarryPotterLoverHarryPotterLover Member Posts: 238
    I had a hard time deciding between this and #10236. They had EV on display at the LEGO Store, but not SOH. But I got SOH anyway. After starting building it I do not regret my decision one bit. SO what if its not "100% accurate"? Nothing is in LEGO and is good for such a complex design. (I you want garbage look at the Architecture version) And I will be just as proud to display it! Will look good on the front table for a while!
  • caperberrycaperberry Member Posts: 2,226
    Cute little clip from Australian breakfast tv, interviewing Jamie Berard... how did he score another trip down under?!

    http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/opera-house-lego-launch/xb28rr8?src=FLPl%3aendslate%3atitleBar%5elink%3auuids&from=en-AU
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Finally got into store the other day where they had both SOH and EV on display. EV looks great, better than expected in fact. By contrast SOH looked pretty bad to me and whilst I had hoped it would look better in the flesh, it didnt. It seemed especially bad when viewing from the end. It's certainly big and it's certainly dark tan but to me has little else going for it. I can see it would be popular with those with an Aus connection but looking objectively it's just not very good imo.
  • EricEric Member Posts: 376
    Just picked up mine, I was keen, so it's the first big set I've paid RRP, for a while, so I'm hoping I won't regret it.
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