Time for the first review of 2017, and we’re starting big, with 2016’s Modular! I’m a bit behind the eight ball with this one, but I’ll try my best to get my hands on the newest addition – 10255: Assembly Square. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the Brick Bank.
Theme: Advanced Models
No: 10251
Release Year: 2016
Cost: AUD$250
Pieces: 2380 (with 5 minifigures)
The Brick Bank is the fourth corner building to appear, meaning that if you have the entire collection, going back to 2007’s 10190: Market Street, you can have yourself an entire city block with some room in the middle. It was inevitable that 2016 saw a corner modular being released, as it’s happened every third year. Cafe Corner in 2007, Grand Emporium in 2010, Palace Cinema in 2013, and this one.
Not only is this build a very stylish bank, but there’s also a laundromat, where customers can sneakily launder money through a special washing machine. It’s a very clever idea, if not a bit naughty!
Inside the box is the instruction booklet, a 32×32 tan baseplate, and 20 numbered parts bags.
Elements and Minifigures: 19/20
This set, like many of the other modulars that have come before it, has introduced loads of new elements. Some are re-colours, some are entirely new moulds. I’m not going to go through all of them of course, you can take a look at that yourself, but I will go through a few of my favourites, and a few surprises!
There are also some recoloured elements, with the light stone grey bullion, used in the detailing of the exterior. There are 42 of these in the set. There’s also the recoloured iron fence. This one has also appeared in a couple of Elves sets from 2016 as well.
Lastly there are new printed elements. There’s the beautiful stained glass and iron wrought windows, the Soap’n’Suds laundromat window, the 500 stud novelty cheque, and what appears to be possibly a portrait the father of the bank manager, looking very stern in his office.
Swooshability: 17/20
Design / Appearance: 18/20
The price for this set, at $250 is very reasonable for this sized set, with each element being priced at around 10c all up. There are some excellent element inclusions, and some have many copies included, and being a modular, it’s only going to increase in value after retirement (it’s still available from The LEGO Shop Online), so snap it up now while you can. A set like this may seem expensive, but it’s a modular, and being marketed at the older age range, money woes are not as big a deal in some households. More often than not, collectibility is going to trump the cost side of things.Collectibility: 10/10
This is an easy one. It’s a modular, it’s a rarer corner modular, and as I’ve mentioned before, there are some excellent parts. This is definitely one to get for the collection.
Overall: 91/100
Next week I’ll be taking a look at a rather special set – 4000010: LEGO House – a very limited edition release only available from Billund, the home of LEGO! I’d love it if you me know what you think of the review. Where does this modular rate in comparison with the others?