Review: 10251 Brick Bank
Posted by CapnRex101,
The product release schedule has developed a great deal over the last few years but the annual arrival of a Modular Building remains unchanged and is still one of the most anticipated events on the LEGO calendar. 10251 Brick Bank is the latest addition to the range and is the fourth corner building.
When the set was revealed in October the reaction was overwhelmingly positive, not only to the design of the set but also to the reduced price of £119.99 which is less than that of 10246 Detective's Office or 10243 Parisian Restaurant. Meanwhile, the US price has risen to $169.99 in accordance with the increased piece count of 2380. Hopefully the quality of the set has also improved, although the excellence of 10246 is difficult to better in my opinion.
The set will be released worldwide on January 1st but we have been lucky enough to receive one from LEGO so we can bring you an early review.
Box and Contents
Packaging for all kinds of sets has become progressively smaller and the Creator Expert line is no different as it is smaller than many of the earlier sets such as 10211 Grand Emporium or 10218 Pet Shop. Nevertheless the entire model is shown off nicely and there is an inset shot of the three floors separated beside one of the bank manager and the door to the vault. It is also worth noting that this is the first Modular Building to be released since the Creator Expert logo was changed and the new insignia appears in the corner.
The back of the box shows a huge number of details and various scenerios which can be played out in this set. The level of interior detail matches that of any Modular Building which has gone before and you can see an entire street scene which allows you to compare the sizes of the last three models while also seeing how they look side by side. I will discuss this in much more detail later in the review.
Inside are twenty bags of pieces divided between four numbers. The instruction manual is wrapped in plastic and thankfully there are no stickers to be found! Every design you see in the set is printed and that includes several brand new designs as well as some old favourites.
Minifigures
The minifigures are merely the supporting cast in Modular Buildings but they are nevertheless important as they help bring the set to life. Five are included to occupy a variety of roles in the set and you are invited to assign these tasks yourself, although the attire indicates what the minifigures ought to be doing in some cases. No matter what task you set them to they seem to be very happy about it as all five make use of the traditional smiling face.
The two male figures are the bank manager and a fairly plain character wearing a suit jacket and grey trousers. I placed the latter minifigure on the stepladder washing the clock face in the first image but he seems overdressed for that. Perhaps he is intended to be a customer at the bank or an employee instead. The bank manager is shown in his office on the box and is wearing a grey waistcoat which suggests that he occupies a high ranking position.
Three female characters are included and their roles are similarly shrouded in mystery. One is wearing a green jacket and sports a fairly short blonde hairstyle while another has short legs and a brand new torso element which features a red blazer and a rosette. This component looks better suited to a mayor than to a child, although the rosette marks her out as the winner of the enormous 500 stud prize as shown on the giant cheque so it makes sense here!
The final minifigure is perhaps the most enigmatic. She appears more than any other on the packaging and is shown taking photos, supervising the sealing of an envelope in the manager's office, ensuring that the launderette signage is properly placed and burgling the vault!
While she includes the rare dark orange hair piece first used in 76042 SHIELD Helicarrier she also comes with a knit cap and bandana which are ideal for concealing one's identity. Of course you can place these accessories on any of the minifigures but she is shown wearing them on the packaging. The torso printing is even less common than the hair piece, having only appeared in 10686 Family House before now.
The Build
Construction of a Modular Building is more enjoyable than almost any other type of set in my opinion so 10251 Brick Bank has a substantial precedent to live up to. It begins with the tiling of the floor and the pavement outside which matches that of previous buildings by featuring light bluish grey kerbstones and dark bluish grey paving slabs. The floor pattern inside the bank is fairly complicated and uses the first of many new elements, the 2x3 shield piece which is prolific within the Nexo Knights theme. These tesselate beautifully and form an intricate pattern which looks superb, as does the flooring in the laundrette. The white, tan and dark tan colour scheme is delightful, although lining up the many 1x1 tiles is a bit tricky. I recommend using the edge of the included brick separator to ensure that they are flush with one another.
The foot of the rear wall is built next along with some of the internal divisions. This primarily involves the typical stacking of bricks but this is broken up a little by the assembly of some furniture and a few window boxes. The enormous door to the vault is also fitted in this section of the build along with the lower half of the staircase which is reminiscent of that in 10218 Pet Shop.
Up to this point the build has been fairly similar to that of previous Modular Buildings but the addition of the security screen between the customers and bank staff is unlike anything we have seen before. Headlight bricks are used to brilliant effect and the use of trans-clear door elements fixed between 1x2 bows is ingenious. Not only is this the first appearance of this building technique in an official set but the resultant structure looks brilliant. This assembly uses the final few pieces of the first set of bags and construction has taken approximately an hour and a half up to this point.
The two walls which face onto the street are far more complicated in their construction methods than the walls at the back. These are packed with detail and make use of several new pieces. The most useful of these will probably prove to be the 1x2x2 brick with four studs on the side, of which 24 are included. By combining these with the interesting geometry of a headlight brick it is possible to create textured brickwork on the corner of the building, a first for any official LEGO set. These bricks are represented using bullion elements in light bluish grey and this is the first time they have appeared in such a versatile colour.
While that section of the model demonstrates how one might create some interesting architectural features to spice up a fairly monochromatic façade, the laundrette is extremely colourful! White and sand blue proliferate and the combination of light yellow with flame yellowish orange looks splendid as the awning.
The complexity of the carving above the doors to the bank is impressive, as are the windows beneath and to either side. Four printed window panels are included and these are complimented by some trans-clear and trans-green pieces which form the fanlights above. Stacking these 1x2 and 1x1 plates is rather tedious but the next assembly more than makes up for that.
The structure of the washing machines seemed fairly simple when official images of the set were revealed in October but they certainly are not when you actually build the set. The literal 'money laundering' feature requires the bank vault and the launderette to be linked so there are safe deposit boxes found on one side and four washing machines found on the other. Plenty of intricate techniques are used to create this play function and there is also a cash drawer incorporated into this assembly which complicates matters even further!
Once this is in place the involved nature of the build does not let up as we move onto the signage above the entrance to the laundrette. Headlight bricks, brackets and tiles are used here to give another lesson in the geometry of a LEGO brick and slotting this into place to complete the ground floor is a satisfying treat.
The third bags contain the pieces used to make up the first floor but before that you build the bottom level of the chimney flue which stretches into the ground floor area. After this construction returns to the tried and tested method of assembling a floor using a mixture of large plates with smaller plates to provide bracing and a few levels of brick walls are placed on top, raising this floor to a height of seven bricks in places.
Some furniture is added next and these smaller models are as detailed as the larger ones and use just as many interesting techniques. The desk in the manager's office is particularly impressive. The window frames which line the front of the building are new in sand green while white textured bricks are used to give the impression of carved stone. White is a stark colour and therefore contrasts nicely with the deep browns of the wall above the laundrette. The inclusion of some black railings and a clock produce the effect of wrought iron which looks fantastic against the white of this upper level.
Although this Modular Building only consists of two floors inside the top level nevertheless uses several hundred pieces as it is quite deep and features plenty of intricate detailing. Once some more large plates have been laid out and supported by narrower elements, construction of the chandelier begins.
This is an absolutely brilliant little build which makes use of a 2x2 round plate with four fingers, a lantern holder and some droid arms to create a very realistic and attractive light fixture. The diamonds used as glass crystals look superb as well.
Several more sand green window frame elements are used in the roof including four semicircular fanlights which only appeared for the first time in the summer. A small area of tiled roof is also assembled here, using a similar technique to that in 10218 Pet Shop and the skylight is installed using yet more of those sand green frames. Finally, with the addition of some furniture to the pavement, the model is complete!
The Completed Model
A couple of things become immediately apparent once the set is assembled, the first of which is the relatively plain colour scheme. Previous Modular Buildings often consist of multiple colours which are squeezed into a fairly small area whereas large sections of wall on this model consist of a single shade, with little to break up the silhouette. However, the intricacies of the architecture throughout the model negate this issue and the absence of colour becomes insignificant. In fact, it could be argued that this set is more successful than any other in that regard as it does not have to resort to using several colours to create interesting surfaces, instead packing in features such as carved stonework or textured bricks.
The relatively small size of the model is also evident almost immediately, particularly when it is added to a street scene. Unfortunately my 10246 Detective's Office is not currently accessible for a photo but you can see that this structure is significantly shorter than most of the others and is only taller than the pool hall building in 10246. Beside a set like 10224 Town Hall I think the bank looks out of place but next to 10218 Pet Shop, 10243 Parisian Restaurant or 10246 Detective's Office it looks fine to me.
This set is as detailed as any other Modular Building on both the exterior and interior. The ground floor includes a rather nice tree and a bench which features some elaborate ironwork which stands beside the white lamppost which has become a staple of the range.
Inside the bank is a lobby area which includes a small desk for writing cheques and signing documents as well as a staircase up the first floor and the counter. The lobby is divided from the staff area and the vault by a glass screen and a door, although this area can be avoided by burglars using another means of entrance which will be discussed later.
The vault door can be locked and unlocked by rotating the handle and it swings open on hinges to reveal a stack of banknotes and three safe deposit boxes inside. The safe deposit boxes contain jewels, coins and a chrome gold bar, all of which is enclosed from above by a cage ceiling.
This is one of my favourite parts of the entire model and seeing how the door mechanism comes together is very enjoyable. It is deceptively simple but it works perfectly and does not occupy a large area so there is plenty of room for other details on the ground floor.
The laundrette next door contains four washing machines, a small table, a seat and a bottle of detergent. This would be quite plain were it not for the lovely floor design and the bright printed window which is visible from outside. Interestingly you can post money through one of the washing machine doors (the one with the red light in the corner) and this will find its way into a safe deposit box. There is not much point to the feature but I appreciate the literal effort to represent 'money laundering'!
Upstairs one finds a desk, a coffee machine and a fireplace for burning old documents as well as warming the room. A lamp, a typewriter and a mug are placed on the desk which adds an extra level of detail and there are some blank papers hidden in the drawers behind the desk.
The bank manager's office is adjacent to the fireplace and features even more details such as a bank lamp, a wax stamp and several pieces of charming brick-built furniture. There is also a portrait on the wall, presumably showing the previous manager or the founder of the Brick Bank.
Heading up the final flight of stairs you come out onto the roof which is split between two levels. The upper section has a large skylight and there are some more architectural details which make clever use of a shield element, two keys and sixteen zip line handles. These are angled to form a scrolling pattern which looks fantastic.
The lower level consists of a steep roof with a hoist lift and the top of the chimney. This structure runs all the way down to the bank vault below and is perfect for any ne'erdowells who might seek to rob the place. You can lower a minifigure down the chimney and access the vault via a hinged panel just above the vault cage.
By lifting the cage you can then gain access to the vault and the valuables inside! Play features like this one will not be to everybody's taste but it does not interfere with the appearance of the model and offers a great deal more play value, so it does not bother me at all.
Overall
This is an excellent set. It might not be as large as some of the previous Modular Buildings but it includes just as much detail and is packed with plenty of splendid architectural features. These are sufficiently varied to maintain interest but also look fairly consistent across the model so the design is both intricate and clean.
There are very few criticisms to be made but they should be acknowledged. It is quite difficult to access some areas of the ground floor due to the depth of the model which impacts upon the play value slightly. The inclusion of play functions will not necessarily appeal to everyone and I expect the fact that this model is a little shorter than many of the others will also frustrate some buyers, particularly given that the price has increased in the US. However, the UK price has been reduced to £119.99 which seems like an excellent deal to me while the Euro price has remained the same.
I simply cannot decide where this set ranks among the other Modular Buildings. I love the subject matter and the level of detail is fantastic but the same can be said for 10246 Detective's Office, at least in my opinion. Regardless, it is certainly one of the best and I am delighted that the set lives up to my high expectations. The piece selection is amazing, the set looks spectacular and there are some lovely play features; it really does not get much better than this!
JANGBRiCKS' Video Review
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64 comments on this article
Looks good!
Truly an amazing set. A must have! :-)
Looks fantastic, I love the detail in the offices and the tile floor most of all! Plus, the playaility functions and all.
Not really in to the Modulars, but this certainly looks like a great set.
It will be mine soon............
Honestly in comparison between the last two models and this one I would certainly get '10243 - Parisian Restaurant.' It looks more realistic between the three and there are details in every part of the model where it doesn't feel empty. In second place is '10246 - Detective's Office' simply the fact it's a perfect replica of a typical street seen in comic books. This set comes in third place simply because it does not have the 'wow-factor; like the other two besides the glass screen between the customers and bank staff.
Regardless of my opinion of which is the best model of the three I will indeed be getting all three in of release starting in February 2016. As I mentioned when this set was announced "...One of the best things to come out of the press release for the '10251 - Brick Bank' is definitely the most outstanding street layout I have ever seen in the LEGO medium." Sadly my Billy bookscase is slightly small to fit three modulars (only two and a half modulars) on one shelve. Nevertheless it would be awesome to own all three with the new style that started with the '10243.' It really helps make the modulars look better as products furthermore making them more realistic and authentic.
If only I had the money...
Great review! A bit frustrating hearing the price is rising for the US market only apparently. Still Ill be a consumer sheep and buy it because it is a mod, darn it!
I really like the way the interior of the Modular Buildings has developed throughout the years. The increase of building height seems a logical consequence, Especially considering the piece count stayed more or less the same (with the exception of the Ton Hall). I can accept smaller buildings with more internal details. Although, for display only, the interior isn’t always particularly interesting.
Anyway, this set looks great and will be a fine addition to the 'Modular Building street'. Although I am facing a display shelf space issue….
The price however is getting absurdly high: €169,99.
I need this set so bad! I just need money. :-( Sadness.
Thanks for the review and looking forward to getting this in January. Any indication if there will be a linked polybag as with the Detective's Office?
@madforLEGO also risen in Canada! What was strangest was when Parisian came out to be lower than the norm, then DO was back at the standard, now this one is higher. Ah well.
Now that I finally completed my collection all other currently available modulars, I definitely plan to purchase this sometime next year. Although I've seen some decent photoshopped mockups of an expanded bank (width or third floor), I hope to extend just the laundromat by an extra floor to give my modular street a more varied skyline.
I must say I'm disappointed that this building only has two floors, especially given the increased price (USD). As far as I know, every previous modular building has had three floors, and while they weren't all great, this change still means a decrease in the amount of interior detail. At the very least, there was room to add furniture. Given budget constraints, I may have to pass on this one.
Thanks CapnRex101 for a great review. This is on my purchase list for 2016.
@kalexicon: Not every modular has had three floors. Fire Brigade and Palace Cinema each had just two floors and a roof.
Also, every modular building to date has been designed so that the second floor can be duplicated indefinitely if you have the bricks. This set continues that tradition. It's not something I plan to take advantage of (modular buildings are expensive enough individually!), but it's nice that they allow for that possibility.
Anyway, I really like this set, but I'm not in a huge hurry to get it. I'll keep on the lookout for good LEGO store deals. It's definitely a creative new installment to the modular street!
I sincery want a Designer Video!
I really like this model. Having the lower level grey and the upper level tan was a clever move, and something that wouldn't look out of place in an 'older' area of a City display -- in England, a good deal of the older buildings feature that, so I think it was a smart move on the part of the designer, and very well executed. +1 for putting in a fireplace, old bank lamp, typewriter, and no radiators - it adds to the 'old' feeling.
My only complaint about this model is the Dark Orange on the bank / launderette - it would look odd in 'old' streets of grey and tan. It can be fixed through Bricklink, but I think it's a shame we have to resort to a marketplace to buy what we should have got.
Great set and review! Just one question: what will happen with this series if they finish the "ring" in 2017?
@jockos198 Then it must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. ;-)
Great review - I'm planning to get this (stock permitting) in a week or two and this write up has whetted my appetite nicely - many thanks!
The detail w money through the laundry I guess is more a hint to old Danish rob-the-bank movies. The Olsen Gang is famous for it.
@jockos198: Just keep going, I imagine. It's not like the modular buildings series was ever stated to be just one block of buildings!
I think it looks superb and will most likely be getting it next weekend. I am disappointed to see it jump in price yet again.
Between this, the Ghostbusters HQ, and SW EpVII sets, my post-Christmas Lego order is going to be a monster!
It's awesome how detailed the modular buildings are getting, but it sucks how small they're getting. Makes it seem like you're paying for less, especially with the higher prices.
I introduced a friend to Nationwide and got £100, plus i have £20 in Lego VIP points, so that's mine paid for!!!
I got into modular buildings recently with the purchase of the Palace Cinema (I really liked the look) and already got the Parisian Restaurant and Pet Shop sets. This one is in my must have list for 2016 as well as the Ghostbusters HQ... just when the credit cards were recovering for this past month bruising :)
I usually wait for double VIP points to purchase big sets... but come Jan 1st I might not be strong enough!
An excellent set, very happy to be adding this to my modular collection in the coming months (Jan 1st is not even a contender...).
I'm noticing a trend from the Detective's Office: Smaller building, play feature hidden in the lower floor, jaw-dropping parts usages throughout, loads of interior detail, et cetera. If I ever have the cash for a modular building, it might well be this one.
Now, $170 is a lot of money for something like this... considering the similar part count to previous buildings doesn't take into account how ridiculously many fiddly bits are contained in the furniture and such, this price hike makes absolutely no sense.
Will we be getting a matching polybag with this one?
^ I haven't seen anything on the LEGO.com site, so I'm not sure.
It's time to bust the bank again for this baby........................ :)
For who thinks the building is too short, LEGO could produce additional floors. Does anyone know if this has ever been considered in the past?
Does this set contain any elements new in sand blue (besides the Nexo Knights shield)?
Also, are pictures of the new printed parts (such as the check/cheque) available, along with the new 1x2x1 2/3 SNOT brick?
Thanks for the great review CapnRex. Appears to be a great build with many fun features. Certainly looking forward to adding it to the collection I already have.
Okay, cannot miss this one, as usual regarding modulars :)
Looks fantastic and can't wait to add it to my own collection.
Also the janitor and cat burglar from the forthcoming Lego minifigure series 15 will be a perfect addition to this set.
Whatever the downsides (not that I can see any but I'm sure others will) I'm getting it regardless and can't wait.
Strange pricing structure in Europe apparently:
Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Ireland: 149.99 Euro
France, Italy: 159.99 Euro
Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg: 169.99 Euro
Finland: 179.95 Euro (!)
Was that the same with previous modulars? I thought pricing in Euro would be the same in all EMU countries.
@AustinPowers: Eurozone countries tend to have different prices for sets in general, including the modulars. And Scandinavian prices tend to be some of the highest in the world regardless of what currency they use.
@Aanchir: True story..
Wow! That looks awesome, thanks for the review. Also has there been a official Lego designer video on this set yet?
@o1b2: No, not yet.
On the whole, the set is quite fantastic and I will probably buy it later. But I wonder what the next two modulars in this "wave"(?) will be themed like? A hospital would be nice.
on the first floor of the bank they used the shield pieces for the floor and i love that :D
It will be my second modular (Pet Shop is the first). However it has to wait - first I have to buy the Temple of Airjitzu.
Now I want to make a LEGO recreation of PAYDAY: The Heist.
This is the only set in 2016 that I'll probably buy. And ya, I did notice the price hike, too
Just a small correction. The red torso is not new, it also appears in 10674.
Just tried to buy this at just after midnight as it has become available in the UK. The product description clearly shows it listed at £119.99 but when I put it in the bag/basket/cart/whatever it shot up to £133.99!!
Going to hold fire for now as I suspect there is a fault in Lego's SAH system here.
I bought this on the christian/cathlioc New Years as soon as it came out on January 1,2016. XD
Does anyone know/think if this set will ever be available in the likes of Smyths or TRU?
Hello CapnRex101, great review ! I think i am going to buy this set when there will be a 2X VIP points ;)
A question about photography : how do you light the full set? What kind of lamp, power, accessory ...? Your light seems to be so smooth! When i try with my 2 desk lamps, shadows are very dark :(
I LOVE this set and is already ordered and on it's way! After reading this review, I can not wait to start building!
I've got some mixed views on this after building it, but far more positive than negative.
The design is a very accurate recreation of Main Street banks in the United States from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of these stood on a corner in my hometown. Unlike other Main Street businesses, banks never had apartments up above for security reasons. The second floor balcony looking down on the tellers was a very common feature as well. If anything, the facade should be more imposing.
Play features are excellent. The entire laundry machines/safe deposit boxes unit can be removed for easier access, and stands as one of the most interesting interior constructions ever in a modular.
There are many desirable parts here for those who build custom modulars, including the column elements, the bley ingots and the sand green windows and arches. There is an entire bag of 1 x 1 plates in trans green as well. The unique pieces, including the printed window of the Laundromat and the printed bank windows, have great potential for custom creations.
Unfortunately, value for money takes a hit, at least here in the States. The piece count is a bit inflated by a large number of 1x1 elements, the ingots on the exterior and the zipline hooks used as detail greebles. Interior detailing is nice, but less overall than Grand Emporium or Pet Shop due to the open space and lack of a third floor.
LEGO have been walking a line with the modulars in the last few years, adding specific play features for kids while trying to keep the architectural details that AFOLs want in a display piece. Brick Bank succeeds as a strong entry for both audiences, but lacks the presence of Grand Emporium and the superior architectural detail of Parisian Cafe. If prices on these must rise (and we all know they must), it would be nice to see a rise in the apparent value of the set as well.
As a modular, worth the price for collectors by a narrow margin. For anyone looking for a standalone modular or an introduction to the theme, Pet Shop and Parisian Cafe are much better choices.
This isn't really a 40's mod but iv'e noticed this is the second mod with secret passages Iv'e allreadt ordered I hope the next MOD will be like a candy store with cool stuff other then candy.
Lego added the designer video for this set on there you tube channel today
Honestly in comparison between the last two models and this one I would certainly get '10243 - Parisian Restaurant.' It looks more realistic between the three and there are details in every part of the model where it doesn't feel empty. In second place is '10246 - Detective's Office' simply the fact it's a perfect replica of a typical street seen in comic books. This set comes in third place simply because it does not have the 'wow-factor; like the other two besides the glass screen between the customers and bank staff.
Regardless of my opinion of which is the best model of the three I will indeed be getting all three in of release starting in February 2016. As I mentioned when this set was announced "...One of the best things to come out of the press release for the '10251 - Brick Bank' is definitely the most outstanding street layout I have ever seen in the LEGO medium." Sadly my Billy bookscase is slightly small to fit three modulars (only two and a half modulars) on one shelve. Nevertheless it would be awesome to own all three with the new style that started with the '10243.' It really helps make the modulars look better as products furthermore making them more realistic and authentic.
I'd like to see a picture of the Brick Bank next to Detective's office, but with the laundromat side against the high lander pub. Does someone have a picture of that?
@scrypt Just finished building this today - your wish is my command.
http://i.imgur.com/SyASaHO.jpg
@UtarEmpire, thanks! Just what I was looking for :)
It does look great, but I am worried about that size. It does seem a bit small. Of course, expanding it is obvious, but it seems proportions are a bit out of whack for a straight 32 wide conversion. Also, the laundromat is neat, but I haven't seen a stand alone version that I've liked yet. The smaller scale works well for that.
I've got some mixed views on this after building it, but far more positive than negative.
The design is a very accurate recreation of Main Street banks in the United States from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of these stood on a corner in my hometown. Unlike other Main Street businesses, banks never had apartments up above for security reasons. The second floor balcony looking down on the tellers was a very common feature as well. If anything, the facade should be more imposing.
Play features are excellent. The entire laundry machines/safe deposit boxes unit can be removed for easier access, and stands as one of the most interesting interior constructions ever in a modular.
There are many desirable parts here for those who build custom modulars, including the column elements, the bley ingots and the sand green windows and arches. There is an entire bag of 1 x 1 plates in trans green as well. The unique pieces, including the printed window of the Laundromat and the printed bank windows, have great potential for custom creations.
Unfortunately, value for money takes a hit, at least here in the States. The piece count is a bit inflated by a large number of 1x1 elements, the ingots on the exterior and the zipline hooks used as detail greebles. Interior detailing is nice, but less overall than Grand Emporium or Pet Shop due to the open space and lack of a third floor.
LEGO have been walking a line with the modulars in the last few years, adding specific play features for kids while trying to keep the architectural details that AFOLs want in a display piece. Brick Bank succeeds as a strong entry for both audiences, but lacks the presence of Grand Emporium and the superior architectural detail of Parisian Cafe. If prices on these must rise (and we all know they must), it would be nice to see a rise in the apparent value of the set as well.
As a modular, worth the price for collectors by a narrow margin. For anyone looking for a standalone modular or an introduction to the theme, Pet Shop and Parisian Cafe are much better choices.I've got some mixed views on this after building it, but far more positive than negative.
The design is a very accurate recreation of Main Street banks in the United States from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of these stood on a corner in my hometown. Unlike other Main Street businesses, banks never had apartments up above for security reasons. The second floor balcony looking down on the tellers was a very common feature as well. If anything, the facade should be more imposing.
Play features are excellent. The entire laundry machines/safe deposit boxes unit can be removed for easier access, and stands as one of the most interesting interior constructions ever in a modular.
There are many desirable parts here for those who build custom modulars, including the column elements, the bley ingots and the sand green windows and arches. There is an entire bag of 1 x 1 plates in trans green as well. The unique pieces, including the printed window of the Laundromat and the printed bank windows, have great potential for custom creations.
Unfortunately, value for money takes a hit, at least here in the States. The piece count is a bit inflated by a large number of 1x1 elements, the ingots on the exterior and the zipline hooks used as detail greebles. Interior detailing is nice, but less overall than Grand Emporium or Pet Shop due to the open space and lack of a third floor.
LEGO have been walking a line with the modulars in the last few years, adding specific play features for kids while trying to keep the architectural details that AFOLs want in a display piece. Brick Bank succeeds as a strong entry for both audiences, but lacks the presence of Grand Emporium and the superior architectural detail of Parisian Cafe. If prices on these must rise (and we all know they must), it would be nice to see a rise in the apparent value of the set as well.
As a modular, worth the price for collectors by a narrow margin. For anyone looking for a standalone modular or an introduction to the
I think the Parisian Restaurant looks the best with it lol Town Hall would make sense too sense the two do sometimes sit next to each other in real life too. I'm currently working on a Mafia City and that Bank is perfect lol
I purchased this last week and must say overall I am impressed. The play features are nice, and the architecture and detail is great. Only complaint as stated before, banks are seen as BIG and Fortresses to keep our money and compared to others Mods, this one is short. Did anyone else have issues with the stairs on the second floor, I had to modify mine to stay. Also, first time ever I was shorted pieces. Submitted a request from lego, just awaiting a response. I had extra gray 2x2, and shorted bley 2x2. So the front and side of the Bank look a little silly with light gray pieces stuck where the bley pieces should be. All in all detail is great, also love the chandelier and my kids love it, so 4.5 stars.