What is the Best LEGO Modular Building?

Ah, LEGO buildings. Whether it comes to intricate details packed into their exteriors to build a gorgeous LEGO City, or the immaculate interiors with various accessories for minifigures to be posed with, few buildings are quite as detailed or as exquisite as the LEGO Modular series. LEGO themselves acknowledge that this was one of the first sub-lines which was focused on adult collectors. Introduced in 2007, the whole concept behind this line was to take the concept of ‘modularity’ found in the original LEGO Castle line and reinvent it for modern day audiences.

To date, nineteen LEGO Modular Buildings have been released. The line covers an eclectic mix of different architectural styles – from diners and cinemas, to restaurants and even the ever-present police station. I think it’s fair to say that the line started as grandiose-scaled buildings which fans wouldn’t find in the city line, but over the years, it has found a real focus on architectural prowess. Builds within the Modular line often use new pieces, or existing LEGO pieces in new ways which reinvent building techniques entirely. Needless to say, these are phenomenal sets – but which is the best LEGO modular building? In this blog I’m going to shine the spotlight on some of my favourites before crowning one victorious!

 

Grand Emporium

We have to start with a classic – LEGO Creator Grand Emporium (10211). This set is a set which always captivated me as a child. I loved the idea of a huge LEGO shop which would mimic the large and grandiose shops seen in the city of London. There is so much to love with the Grand Emporium. It doesn’t have the most complex exterior, but there are attractive shapes and colours spread throughout the build here. I particularly like the brick built ‘SHOP’ sign – something which feels well realised for the time it was released. It is also fun seeing a billboard on top of this set. That always felt like a unique addition to me.

Where this set really shines for me is the interior. I love the simulated escalators to give the building a unique feeling, and also love the sheer variety of products which can be found inside the interior of the Emporium. There is a fun assortment of stuff on show here. There have also been some fantastic modifications to this interior space online which make it feel even more like the organised chaos you know these kinds of shops thrive in. Overall, I really love this set. It’s one I wish I had picked up – and maybe I will one day! Whilst I don’t think it’s the best LEGO modular building due to some of the building techniques from the time which date it, I do think this is a worthy inclusion within this piece!

 

Detective Office

Next up on my list is a more modern build, but one which I adore – LEGO Creator Detective Office (10246). A much more recent release, the Detective Office is one of the most aesthetically pleasing LEGO builds I have ever seen. Everything here screams quality to me. From the way the colours across the buildings are well layered, to the way the border on the rooftop of the main building is eloquently created, this is truly an example of what a fantastic modular build can look like. Even the colour choices here feel well-considered – with golds and green adding flashes of colour to the main build which really set it apart from the crowd. I won’t mince my words. I adore this build.

Not only does this build look great, but it comes with some fun play features too. Designed to be representative of a bar during the prohibition era, the characters in this set are smuggling sweet treats, with various places littered to hide objects throughout the build. What I love most here is how non-intrusive these play features are. They don’t detract from the aesthetic value of the building, but they add a fun narrative through thread to the set which feels unique. If I was to make one critique, some of the interior space does feel a little restrictive, but I don’t know if that is a dealbreaker given the quality of build which you are getting here. This is another set I would love to track down one day.

 

Natural History Museum

If you know me then it will be no surprise to see the LEGO Icons Natural History Museum (10326) on this list. I don’t buy as much LEGO as I have in the past due to space constraints, but this is absolutely a set which I am keeping a keen eye on. Where do I start? I adore the architecture on this building. It clearly takes inspiration from the old Victorian architecture which is present on many museums and old buildings – with gargoyles on the structure, statues behind corrugated iron fencing, and plenty of detail and texture packed into the defining details of the building. I especially love the rooftop area and how polished this area of the build feels. It’s one of the few times I have seen a dark grey roof look so fantastic.

The interior of this build is just as gorgeous – with so many details packed in. Whether it is the fantastic sauropod skeleton (as a Jurassic fan this set gets major plus points for that), the way a whip is used to simulate an ammonite (incredible detail!), or the display of planets in our solar system, this build has everything. I honestly really adore how much time and effort clearly went into creating a build which captures the feel and history of not only the exhibits of a museum, but also the structure they are often housed in. This would not look amiss as a LEGO Night at the Museum set in the best possible way. There are also some great minifigures packed in here – including unique museum staff. What’s not to love? I could gush more about this set…but I won’t. I love the museum, but for me, not even this set is the best LEGO modular building.

 

LEGO Palace Cinema

And the winner is…LEGO Creator Place Cinema (10232). A shock inclusion potentially, but I love the Palace Cinema so much and think it is still one of the most unique LEGO buildings which has ever been created. Clearly drawing inspiration from the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, this build features a gorgeously angular rooftop design mixed with a traditional cinema build. I love the movie posters in the windows, the information about the film which is showing on the overhead display, and the inclusion of spotlights and barriers outside the building. A particular highlight for me is the brick-built doors, which work incredibly well at this scale.

The interior of the structure also features some great detail for the ticketing area and a nice space for the film itself to be watched, with plenty of seating for attendees. I also love the inclusion of the limousine here – helping to add, again, a really nice narrative beat to the set. I will disclose that this is the only Modular I own, so it is perhaps not a surprise that I believe it is the best LEGO modular building. I just think this is such a unique set compared to anything that LEGO have done before, and I think the continued aftermarket demand for this set only serves to further emphasise that point.

 

So, that has been a whistle-stop tour of some of my favourite modular buildings, and the one I think is best. Now, I’m going to pass the question to you. What do you think is the best LEGO modular building?

Let me know your favourite in the comments below, and make sure to come back to the FST Blog for plenty more posts like this in the future!

Leave a Reply

Thomas

Hey Everyone! I'm Tom and I am a Dinosaur and LEGO nutter! Hopefully you will enjoy an assortment of different content from me.