Random set of the day: Seattle Space Needle
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 21003 Seattle Space Needle, released during 2009. It's one of 4 Architecture sets produced that year. It contains 57 pieces, and its retail price was US$19.99/£19.99.
It's owned by 7,845 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you should find it for sale at BrickLink, where new ones sell for around $102.80, or eBay.
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47 comments on this article
That's no moon! It's a space.... Needle?
A giant needle - a more fitting symbol for the city of Seattle is yet to be conceived
Restaurant at the top not included
Quite a bit more effective and less blocky than the other '09 Architecture sets, but still really basic compared to what we have now. Hooooooo wee, that PPP though...
This is your required mention of cutting flex tubes per the instructions.
My dad bought this for himself since he's from Washington. First time I ever saw instructions say that you were to cut flex tubing. I know it used to be a thing of old, but I found it odd that you had to cut these tubes to the proper length when there wasn't a point where you needed the length they gave you in the set. The leftovers made for perfect 3L bars to stabalize the shoulder pistons on the Exo-Suit (21109) though, so I'm glad we kept them.
These small architecture sets were great. The large ones with thousands of pieces are alright, but they cost a lot, so these ones were perfect. They were big enough to identify what the landmark is, but small enough to not take up much display room.
@legodachi said:
"A giant needle - a more fitting symbol for the city of Seattle is yet to be conceived "
Ouch!
Our cool cities have definitely taken it on the chin in the last 10 years. Mostly, it's the South's refusal to spend any money on education, and those hopeless souls flocking to our more-permissive Western cities.
@MCLegoboy said:
"My dad bought this for himself since he's from Washington. First time I ever saw instructions say that you were to cut flex tubing. I know it used to be a thing of old, but I found it odd that you had to cut these tubes to the proper length when there wasn't a point where you needed the length they gave you in the set. The leftovers made for perfect 3L bars to stabalize the shoulder pistons on the Exo-Suit (21109) though, so I'm glad we kept them."
I've heard there are some old Technic sets where, if you cut the flex tube for Model A, you can't use it to build Model B, because they need different lengths.
@PurpleDave said:
"I've heard there are some old Technic sets where, if you cut the flex tube for Model A, you can't use it to build Model B, because they need different lengths."
Those set designers were ruthless back in the day. 10 steps when you could have used 20, but not 40 like it is today. Stickers over multiple parts prevent one model being built over another. Cut pieces can only be used for one model. There's sets that have string looped through pieces that I bet also can't be used in alternate models without cutting the string. Diabolical... Let's bring it back!
There was something I wanted to say about this set, but this dude flashed a pen at me and I forgot.
Maybe one in the same scale as the 10000 piece eiffel tower.
@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"Restaurant at the top not included"
If LEGO gets around to making a New Zealand architecture set, the obvious choice* would be the Auckland sky tower. Like this set, it would also not include the restaurant at the top.
Fun fact: Did you know that the one in the sky tower is the highest cafe in the world!
*Or maybe the Beehive.
15 years has passed since this set is released but it still looks modern. I think this will still sell, if released again. Maybe it the round build of the building, it doesn't look crude like some of the other earlier architectural sets.
One of the better early architecture sets. It actually doesn't look like a stack of black or tan basic bricks only elevated with pretentious packaging for once like 21002. The Seattle needle model feels like some proper thought went into the design. And it's not as easy to bricklnk the model for 10 euro (sans plaque tile).
Sorry if that sounded overly harsh. I appreciate the theme's historic position in what it accomplished... but the early sets... at the prices they went for. Not great value IMHO, even taking into account economical factors like the niche-ness of it, the black printed booklets and premium boxes. Architecture now uses interesting building techniques, special parts and occasionally a unique print, which make the builds themselves feel on par with the packaging.
@Maxbricks14 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"Restaurant at the top not included"
If LEGO gets around to making a New Zealand architecture set, the obvious choice* would be the Auckland sky tower. Like this set, it would also not include the restaurant at the top.
Fun fact: Did you know that the one in the sky tower is the highest cafe in the world!
*Or maybe the Beehive."
Take a look at the new releases. The incredible Auckland Sky Tower set will be released June 1. 10333
Personally, I think the minifigs are a bit weak aside from the Prime Minister, and even he looks a bit undersized.
@Binnekamp said:
"One of the better early architecture sets. It actually doesn't look like a stack of black or tan basic bricks only elevated with pretentious packaging for once like 21002. The Seattle needle model feels like some proper thought went into the design. And it's not as easy to bricklnk the model for 10 euro (sans plaque tile)."
Might be because the set doesn't use a single basic brick, in any color.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"Restaurant at the top not included"
If LEGO gets around to making a New Zealand architecture set, the obvious choice* would be the Auckland sky tower. Like this set, it would also not include the restaurant at the top.
Fun fact: Did you know that the one in the sky tower is the highest cafe in the world!
*Or maybe the Beehive."
Take a look at the new releases. The incredible Auckland Sky Tower set will be released June 1. 10333
Personally, I think the minifigs are a bit weak aside from the Prime Minister, and even he looks a bit undersized."
Yeah. And he has hair too!
I'm pretty sure Christopher Luxon does not.
I’m a Seattleite. I have this guy sitting on my desk at work!
@Maxbricks14 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"Restaurant at the top not included"
If LEGO gets around to making a New Zealand architecture set, the obvious choice* would be the Auckland sky tower. Like this set, it would also not include the restaurant at the top.
Fun fact: Did you know that the one in the sky tower is the highest cafe in the world!
*Or maybe the Beehive."
Take a look at the new releases. The incredible Auckland Sky Tower set will be released June 1. 10333
Personally, I think the minifigs are a bit weak aside from the Prime Minister, and even he looks a bit undersized."
Yeah. And he has hair too!
I'm pretty sure Christopher Luxon does not."
Winston Peters' hat is over his eyes!
@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"Restaurant at the top not included"
So no chance of being served tossed salads & scrambled eggs?
I just checked the inventory and found out that I have the pieces to build this several times over. Apart from the printed tile of course, but that can be had for less than a Euro on Bricklink, so no deal breaker either.
I might actually build it just for fun, because considering its age it still looks good.
@legodachi said:
"A giant needle - a more fitting symbol for the city of Seattle is yet to be conceived "
Is Seattle big on sewing??
Quite stylish
Been there, done that, didn't get the Lego set.
(which actually was released the same year I went there!)
@lost_scotsman said:
" @legodachi said:
"A giant needle - a more fitting symbol for the city of Seattle is yet to be conceived "
Is Seattle big on sewing??"
Seattle is a huge haystack.
Perfect background for a "1901 Elliott Bay Tower" set.
Spooky as I've just finished watching the old Frasier seasons. Not overly impressed with the new season/re-make thus far.
Fun fact: building this set requires scissors to cut off a pieces of hoses.
I bought this set from the gift shop at the bottom of the real thing.
@HJB2810 said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"Restaurant at the top not included"
If LEGO gets around to making a New Zealand architecture set, the obvious choice* would be the Auckland sky tower. Like this set, it would also not include the restaurant at the top.
Fun fact: Did you know that the one in the sky tower is the highest cafe in the world!
*Or maybe the Beehive."
Take a look at the new releases. The incredible Auckland Sky Tower set will be released June 1. 10333
Personally, I think the minifigs are a bit weak aside from the Prime Minister, and even he looks a bit undersized."
Yeah. And he has hair too!
I'm pretty sure Christopher Luxon does not."
Winston Peters' hat is over his eyes!"
It's hilarious reading this as an American because I have no frickin clue what you're talking about
@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
" @HJB2810 said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"Restaurant at the top not included"
If LEGO gets around to making a New Zealand architecture set, the obvious choice* would be the Auckland sky tower. Like this set, it would also not include the restaurant at the top.
Fun fact: Did you know that the one in the sky tower is the highest cafe in the world!
*Or maybe the Beehive."
Take a look at the new releases. The incredible Auckland Sky Tower set will be released June 1. 10333
Personally, I think the minifigs are a bit weak aside from the Prime Minister, and even he looks a bit undersized."
Yeah. And he has hair too!
I'm pretty sure Christopher Luxon does not."
Winston Peters' hat is over his eyes!"
It's hilarious reading this as an American because I have no frickin clue what you're talking about "
Hey I had to look all their names up
Before today I had no clue who Luxon or Peters were!
If this is a Space Needle, they should add some thrusters.
@thor96 said:
" @lost_scotsman said:
" @legodachi said:
"A giant needle - a more fitting symbol for the city of Seattle is yet to be conceived "
Is Seattle big on sewing??"
Seattle is a huge haystack."
Seattle likes its music on vinyl.
This was one of the better early Architecture sets, and they kept it around for six years too when a lot of the others only lasted a few seasons.
I wonder if a CN Tower at this scale would sell? Bummer that Canada hasn't ever really been represented
...wow, in retrospect, I never would have thought Architecture would last 15+ years as a theme.
Honestly they were sort of a harbinger of the problems with modern Lego, especially with the 18+ range - bad price for value, boring boxes, resale insanity - but the first batch of sets for the theme are surprisingly nostalgic at this point.
This definitely is one of the better-looking sets of the wave but after hearing from the comments that you have to permanently cut pieces for this one, I'm glad I never got it.
I liked this set from the beginning but never had the chance to buy it. So, got the instructions at LEGO site, gather the pieces and built it in grey blue and yellow like my Lego City flag colour. To the top I got two Technic disks that glow in the dark! Maybe one of the mocs that will last as long as I live :)
@Belboz said:
"Spooky as I've just finished watching the old Frasier seasons. Not overly impressed with the new season/re-make thus far."
"Frasier" is arguably my favorite sitcom of all time and I thought the follow-on was pretty good as a first draft. But I liked "Joey" too so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
@BricksAhoy said:
"I wonder if a CN Tower at this scale would sell? Bummer that Canada hasn't ever really been represented"
I'd get one, would even appreciate a larger model with more detail. Bonus points for programmable LED lights.
@lost_scotsman said:
" @legodachi said:
"A giant needle - a more fitting symbol for the city of Seattle is yet to be conceived "
Is Seattle big on sewing??"
No, sadly not.
I got most--maybe even all--of this in a used lot, and most of the tower was still together. I had no idea what set it was, at the time, but that hunk of Needle made a great bit of Star Wars background to toss into Mos Eisley.
Ah...stood at the base of the real one a number years ago on vacation in the greater Seattle-area. Went to Seattle, Bellevue, Alderwood...visited/toured the Woodpark Zoo, Boing's Museum of Flight, and quite a few Lego stores and the like. Good times, would do it again in a heartbeat:)
Whoops...that's should have been Boeing's Museum of Flight...oh well:)
One of the better early Architecture sets. What the heck is up with that price though? The pieces aren't that large or specialized, I could probable find most of them in my spare parts collection.
The only set from the first two years of the Architecture line that I want. As for the third year, that was only one set: 21006, and I have that one. Every year since then has at least one set that I own or one set I want, or both until you get to 2018. There have been some since then that I'd like to have if I had more room to display them, but 40585 is the only one I've gotten, other than some in the Skylines series, since my stroke.
@MCLegoboy said:"My dad bought this for himself since he's from Washington. First time I ever saw instructions say that you were to cut flex tubing. I know it used to be a thing of old, but I found it odd that you had to cut these tubes to the proper length when there wasn't a point where you needed the length they gave you in the set. The leftovers made for perfect 3L bars to stabalize the shoulder pistons on the Exo-Suit (21109) though, so I'm glad we kept them."
I used some extra flex tube sections that were three studs long the same way.
@Smaug07 said:
"One of the better early Architecture sets. What the heck is up with that price though? The pieces aren't that large or specialized, I could probable find most of them in my spare parts collection. "
Well, the printed tile is specialized, at least. And you specialize the flex tubes yourself.
One of my favorite sets. Not that it’s such a grand set or anything, but I found it in the gift shop when visiting the space needle way back when. It must’ve just come out, & was lining the shelves. Until that point I had no idea that Lego Architecture was a thing (wish they’d do more with it again) or that Lego could even be something that adults would enjoy. So of course I bought a kit & built it that evening.