How does the X-Mansion look among Marvel Modular Buildings?
Posted by CapnRex101,
76178 Daily Bugle launched a series of Marvel Modular Buildings in 2021 and 76294 X-Men: The X-Mansion further lengthens the street this year.
However, while the other buildings are found in New York City throughout comics and films, the X-Mansion is typically positioned in Westchester, some distance outside the city. Additionally, the mansion is substantially smaller than its predecessors, so I am uncertain how well this model will complement others in the series.
Presented in release order, I like the variation in height between the four buildings, as well as their differing colours. In fact, the X-Mansion really stands out thanks to the dark orange walls and dark blue roof, as does the sand green roof on 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum, so the smaller buildings are not totally overwhelmed.
The view from behind is pleasingly consistent too. The alleyway is not entirely appropriate for Xavier's mansion, which would only seem this untidy after being attacked, although I think the designer has managed to find a reasonable balance between accuracy to the mansion's typical appearance and consistency with past models.
That being said, the X-Mansion does not belong in a dense New York City environment. The transition to neighbouring buildings is maybe not as awkward as I envisaged, when adjoining skyscrapers with a gap in between, but it is still far from ideal. Even so, including Technic pins gives options, as you can use them to connect to other sets, or as the beginning of your own grounds around the mansion.
76218 Sanctum Sanctorum is a corner building, which opens up more opportunities. I quite like this corner configuration, leaving gaps on each side of the X-Mansion and giving plenty of room between 76178 Daily Bugle and 76269 Avengers Tower. Placing the mansion in the centre looks odd though, again coming back to its proper location far outside New York City.
However, I think my favourite arrangement is this one, with the X-Mansion moved to one side. This creates even more open room around the mansion and maintains enough separation for the skyscrapers. Corner layouts occupy a great deal of space though, which is a problem.
The strongest criticisms of 76294 X-Men: The X-Mansion have generally related to its size and placing the mansion beside 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum, it is easy to see why. The latest model does look small and adding another floor would have matched the building in X-Men '97, but the proportions would also have needed updating, so I can understand favouring two levels.
There is also a considerable difference in the depth of these buildings. The mansion is set back from the pavement to accommodate a lawn area, which was essential, but looks a bit silly when directly adjoining other buildings.
Counterintuitive though it is, I find the transition to the skyscrapers easier. The dramatic height disparity masks the X-Mansion's small size and an all-important gap remains between the two structures, so the lawn looks more cohesive and realistic here than it does in the configuration above.
Ultimately, while some solutions are better than others, 76294 X-Men: The X-Mansion does not really work as part of a street. I understand preserving the modular format and this design does not interfere with possible modifications at all, so nothing has been lost through the compatibility with previous sets.
Nevertheless, this is not how I will choose to display the X-Mansion and I hope we return to the conventional street next year, ideally with the Baxter Building or Oscorp Tower.
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72 comments on this article
I'm not familiar with Marvel, but as an NYC resident I don't think the initial chronological configuration you have there is too bad. It's not as unusual as you might think to find a more historic-looking building with a lawn or fountain and such nestled within or nearby a bunch of skyscrapers.
I absolutely love that these are modular compatible and wish more themes did this! With that being said, you pay for it. Avengers tower and Daily Bugle I think are fairly priced, but the X Mansion specifically is quite expensive for what you get. The Daily Bugle being only $20 more really highlights this.
This addition made me decide to stop collecting Marvel Modulars and just stick to the Creator Modulars
I think that this shows up that the X-Mansion isn't up to the same standards as previous models. Especially compared to the Sanctum, it shows a distinct lack of detail and scale in my mind.
It still feels a little too small, compared to the other Marvel Modulars, however it's not as bad as I first imagined.
However, I'd love to see this next to the Museum, as I think the small size of the X-Men Mansion will become a lot more apparent.
For the low low price of just £1235 you too can display these four lego buildings in your basement.
How are people still justifying the price of the X-Mansion?
@classicstylecastle said:
"For the low low price of just £1235 you too can display these four lego buildings in your basement."
You can be reductive about anything hobby/leisure related! It’s fun! And it’ll make you feel good by suggesting how much smarter we are than others! And while being sardonic may make you miserable to be around, at least it’s free!
“For the low low price of $15 you too can sit in a dark room and watch moving pictures on a big wall.”
“For the low low price of $100 you too can walk around hitting a ball until you get it in a cup.”
“For the low low price of $300 you too can sleep in a bed in another city.”
“For the low low price of $2000 you too can wear a device on your wrist that tells the same time as your phone.”
It looks a little bland compared to the others, but I suppose that is because it is based on an animated series rather than live action movies
@saltytbone said:
"“For the low low price of $2000 you too can wear a device on your wrist that tells the same time as your phone.”"
Good one :-)
@classicstylecastle said:
"For the low low price of just £1235 you too can display these four lego buildings in your basement."
I'll be in that group soon...... No regrets
The X-Men mansion is in Westchester County, New York, many miles outside Manhattan, so this makes zero sense.
Argh. If you have a basic sense of Marvel's fictional version(s) of Manhattan, you'd know that Avengers Tower and the Daily Bugle are in midtown, Strange's Sanctorum is at 177A Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, and the X-Mansion is way, way, way to the North practically in Connecticut.
The Ghostbusters firehouse is *kind of* near the Sanctorum (it's in lower Manhattan near the Holland tunnel). Not really, but they're probably the closest geographically related buildings.
For me, the X mansion just doesn't have the right look to go with the others. It doesn't seem as nice on display to me. I may still end up getting it, but there's no hurry for that.
I still have a hard time placing these buildings together because I can’t unsee the different influences of Marvel Cinematic vs comic/animation in the final design. The Daily Bugle and X-Mansion feel too simplified next to the Sanctum and Avengers Tower.
wow you either got alot of room to try put them where they go in new york, or nuts imo.
they not real in real life.
I like the first corner configuration best.
I'd like to see the X-mansion alongside regular modular buildings. It looks like it would fit in quite well.
I'm seriously thinking about adding height to it in some form, keep it two floors, but add extra, so the set is slated for purchase next year. There are others on my expensive list that I want more.
I only have 76218, so the mansion would be in a different part of my modular collection as it doesn't look good next to it if I decide not to add height.
I have an expensive list and a under £100 list, as well as a list with sets I'm unsure about.
Westchester.... I was immediately reminded of this 1970s classic by the great Bob James: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKluazZn5oA
It's Lego Marvel, not Marvel, not real New York, in the Lego Marvel Super Heroes video game, the X-Mansion was located in a remote green area north of the new york map,
I think something like that will do when I'll get it.
Picture a T-shaped road, X-Mansion centered on top of T, rest on one side.
@GrizBe said:
"I think that this shows up that the X-Mansion isn't up to the same standards as previous models. Especially compared to the Sanctum, it shows a distinct lack of detail and scale in my mind."
I think this is totally incorrect. Of the four Marvel modular-style buildings, the Sanctum Santorum is the one most out of scale with the others. The Bugle and Stark Tower are supposed to be skyscrapers, after all. The Sanctum fits better with other traditional modulars much more than all of the others.
Even though i understand the Marvel geography, for me its a lego building. I am fortunate that the X-mansion will be a great looking school in my residential area. The other Marvel buildings are in the city as an Octan head office, a research and development building and a Museum. I have no problem having next to any other building.
I wish the x-mansion looked bigger but will look good next to all those lego houses.
Assume the sponsored tag got missed as all sets provided by Lego?
@WemWem said:
"I'd like to see the X-mansion alongside regular modular buildings. It looks like it would fit in quite well."
It doesn't look good next to the Sanctorum so I highly doubt it will look better next to any other modular.
@AcademyofDrX said:
"I think this is totally incorrect. "
Well, we'll agree to disagree, but going off the other comments, seems more people are of the same thinking as me.
I still don't get why they had to make the alleyway behind the X-Mansion consistent with the other Marvel modulars. It could've just had the overall dimensions of the alleyway but they should've simply made some kind of garden because it looks really strange to have a NYC style alleyway in the back of the mansion. If it just had a consistent size it wouldn't really be that apparent that there's a garden in the total rear alleyway because it's in the back of the models anyway.
To me the Stark Tower and Daily Bugle almost work next to X-Mansion but only because they are all too 'small'. This becomes more apparent when the Sanctorum is displayed as well.
I own the Bugle (built) and Sanctorum (not built) but am not interested in the other two because of their scale. When I finally build the Sanctorum it will go with the modulars as it seems to be the only one that matches. Though due to space restrictions the Jazz Club and Museum are still unbuilt, and no doubt soon to be joined by the next modular.
One idea I have would be to just mix in the regular Modular Buildings and display them all in vaguely one street or one row (easy to mix up with a corner, maybe putting some buildings opposite the main line). The X-Mansion and more countryside-looking houses would be on one end and the skyscrapers representing downtown on the other end.
Not the exact separation as in real life but it is a small scale approximation of the real locations just like how each house has too small and too few rooms to be truly realistic.
It would also be easy to make a neighborhood for the X-Mansion using other houses that were not made to be compatible with the Modular line like Home Alone, the Haunted Mansions and some Creator sets.
I own the Bugle but no other modulars. Ive been waiting for someone to do a height comparison on these.
Seeing the Avengers Tower next to the Bugle makes me want to buy it more haha
@gatorbug6 said:
"How are people still justifying the price of the X-Mansion?"
I guess a few people accept that Lego (especially licensed themes) is not cheap. When nearly every new set gets complaints about the price it is time to adjust your expectations.
I added a second 'middle floor' to the Sanctum Sanctorum to increase its height and look more natural next to the Daily Bugle. It's a fun and constructive way to solve this problem.
I did the same for the modular police station. They look great next to the Daily Bugle with the extra height.
With some adjustment, and reducing to a single storey, I can see this as a nice Victorian small town railway station or other Industrial Revolution style building...
How does it look? Like a joke.
Architectural and depth make it look like a childish Harry Potter set where you have simple facade of the building. Doesn't matter that you can split it. For me this is not modular building.
The towers need to be apart, and the X-mansion needs a bit more space, so i'd go with the first configuration.
My big gripe with the Mansion, is that other similar modular that is currently for sale: the Museum. They are VERY similar in layout and style... however the Museum looks/feels way bigger than the Mansion. It would have made more sense if they would have released the Mansion 2 years earlier or later. I think it is quite underwelming compared to the others in the same line. Therefore putting them all next to each other simply doesn't work for me.
I don't really think any of the Marvel modulars are meant to be placed next to each other. There should be some regular modulars between them to break things up a little. If I'd ever gotten the Avengers tower, I would have placed a 12X24 baseplate on either side of it with some cafe tables and such to create a plaza and give it some space. With the X-Mansion I'd leave it by itself on a separate shelf and just maybe create a park in front of it or something.
The X-Mansion matches the dimensions and details of the previous Sanctum Sanctorum set 76108. In fact, I think those look better beside the Daily Bugle and Avengers Tower at that size and scale.
What’s next for New York State Marvel buildings, do you think? The Baxter Building?
@Ridgeheart said:
"So what we're saying here is that the X-Mansion is just trying to fit in in a world that hates and fears it?"
Best comment in the thread. In fact, I think you win the Internet for today.
The scale is definitely more noticeable next to the other modulars. At least it looks better than the facade concept and looks like a good pickup at a discount.
Proves it’s time for the X-Men to move out of that rickety, cramped old mansion and demolish it and build a X-Men Tower.
I really wish it was a similar scale to the Sanctum. I'm getting it at some point but there is no rush.
It looks rather bland in comparison.
@SearchlightRG said:
"What’s next for New York State Marvel buildings, do you think? The Baxter Building?"
Maybe Oscorp or Alchemax?
@SearchlightRG said:
"What’s next for New York State Marvel buildings, do you think? The Baxter Building?"
Yes, please. In fact, any Fantastic 4 set would be great.
Xavier’s School (the X-Mansion) was in upstate New York, so it’s not actually in the city. It’s on a ton of land in the country. With that in mind, it wouldn’t necessarily have to fit in amongst large buildings.
I'm sorry, but those sets look terrible together. The group doesn't work without the other Modular City themed buildings spacing them apart.
No matter what you put the mansion next to, I think it'll benefit by adding an extra 16x32 baseplate on each side (and add some greenery). The gap/distance will mask some of the size difference as well as give the mansion the isolated look it needs.
To me, the Bugle doesn't fit too badly with most of the modulars--there are plenty of large city buildings that are only twice the "average" height--but the Avengers' Tower is clearly a skyscraper with, I feel, floors that are each much shorter than those of the Sanctum Sanctorum (or, for that matter, the Bugle itself). I would like to use a forced perspective layout, with the Tower higher up and seemingly a block or two behind the main line of modulars (Creator or Marvel). The Bugle might be somewhere in between. And the X-Mansion would be at one end, perhaps balancing the Bugle since its floors seem less high than those of the SS--which in turn would be in the very foreground, since it seems to have the most detail and bulk for its schematics.
The problem, of course, is that such a layout would require a rather large room all to itself--and where, then, could I display any of my prized Lego ships, or Ninjago temples?
Time for the X-men to move on, rebrand to Y-People and move into the Y-fel Tower. 10307 Eiffel Tower
Or maybe, Y people was already taken by the original Yellow minifigure, then they are out of luck until the Y-fell tower actually falls down and is replaced by the Z Tower, which would look nice to the A Tower, as then they cover A to Z.
@J0rgen said:
"I don't really think any of the Marvel modulars are meant to be placed next to each other."
I agree. They work way better apart. I'm going to set it up like this once I have enough shelf space.
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBPf7X
So, the answer appears to be...short.
@Robot99 said:
"I'm not familiar with Marvel, but as an NYC resident I don't think the initial chronological configuration you have there is too bad. It's not as unusual as you might think to find a more historic-looking building with a lawn or fountain and such nestled within or nearby a bunch of skyscrapers."
Indeed, property owners (but not renters) might be approached about buying their "air rights" in areas (like NYC) where setbacks are strictly regulated to prevent towering skyscrapers from being built into solid vertical walls surrounded by a thin strip of sidewalk. Under some of these ordinances, if you buy rights from an adjacent property, you can effectively treat the two combined properties as a single piece of land when determining the maximum size you can build your skyscraper within those ordinances. So, for instance, the Sears Tower in Chicago is built like one central tower surrounded by eight shorter towers. If the developer had bought these rights from eight surrounding plots of land equal to the size that building occupies, they could have just built it straight up to the same height, without having to step it back on the sides and corners.
@garethsmith72 said:
"Assume the sponsored tag got missed as all sets provided by Lego?"
For the low, low price of your soul, undying loyalty, and unmitigated fealty... you too can receive free Lego. (boo-hah-hah-ha-haaah!)
@StyleCounselor said:
" @garethsmith72 said:
"Assume the sponsored tag got missed as all sets provided by Lego?"
For the low, low price of your soul, undying loyalty, and unmitigated fealty... you too can receive free Lego. (boo-hah-hah-ha-haaah!)"
Eh, that's still cheaper than 330 dollars
@gatorbug6 said:
"How are people still justifying the price of the X-Mansion?"
Well, just think how much I've already saved on not caring about the previous three sets one tiny little bit.
@ShinyBidoof:
Also, that. I've said for a few years now that inflation was eventually going to catch up with LEGO prices, and now it actually has. Except people are stuck on the previous 45 years of prices not really changing from what they were when the first minifigs walked the Earth.
@Murdoch17:
_Just_ for the day. Which, where he's located, is already yesterday. We don't want him getting a big head about it and trying to lord it over everyone.
@Reventon:
X-Tower would violate NYC setback regulations for sure!
@Ridgeheart said:
"So what we're saying here is that the X-Mansion is just trying to fit in in a world that hates and fears it?"
I think what’s happening is that LEGO hates and fears the X-Mansion. It should be significantly larger. Or at the very least just expand the footprint to make it fill out the existing baseplates and make the floors a bit taller.
@garethsmith72 said:
"Assume the sponsored tag got missed as all sets provided by Lego?"
That was in the review. Not sure I have seen that disclaimer is modular placement articles.
My thoughts:
LEGO is catering to us Marvel fans with this one. I bought the AT, two DBs (to make it taller) and two SSs so that I could build it in the proportion that works best for me. I am planning on getting two of this set to make it three stories and build a basement level.
Even though I own half of the modulars, they are nothing but parts packs to me as I prefer to build my own buildings. I don't do SWs, and don't understand why people would spend twice what the mansion costs on a big grey diamond with far fewer minifigs, but each to our own and I am not the target market = same would apply here for a lot of people commenting on the Mansion.
To me it looks similar enough to the animated series version to make me happy. It is two stories, the SS is four (even though the SS set only includes 2.5), so not too fussed that it is short. I am planning on building it with an underground danger room and Cerebro, freeing up space for other rooms above ground. It will go nicely next to my 48x144 Batcave and Wayne Manor, which is located outside my city, away from my other buildings.
As for the price, this is a much cheaper way to get Jean Grey. Also, seeing what people pay for the modulars on the aftermarket I'd say this price is a steal.
I would personally want it in its seperate estate.
As an adult ready to pay OVER the actual release price, (I’ve been saving up in anticipation) I can’t help but be disappointed.
I feel the ‘weak print’ criticism along with the design size, lack of architectural decoration and those sticker playing cards.
I didn’t expect to whinge about this set! So being more positive and thinking DIY.
Buy 2? No.
Buy X-Mansion and the Natural History Museum?! Maybe.
For conversion planning this is the dark orange bricks from the x-mansion compared to the superior mass of olive green from the museum. The greys of the danger room could be added as a more suitable lower section to build space. I’d love to hear combination ideas.
https://brickset.com/parts/in-76294-1/colour-Dark-Orange
https://brickset.com/parts/in-10326-1/colour-Olive-Green
If you wanted a basement it’s perhaps best to get a landscape furniture surface with 2 layers to build that in.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17:
_Just_ for the day. Which, where he's located, is already yesterday. We don't want him getting a big head about it and trying to lord it over everyone."
TO ME, MY RIDGE-MEN!"
*one lonely cricket*
@PurpleDave said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17:
_Just_ for the day. Which, where he's located, is already yesterday. We don't want him getting a big head about it and trying to lord it over everyone."
TO ME, MY RIDGE-MEN!"
*one lonely cricket*"
Present!
A StyleCounselor is never late or early, Prof. Plum. He arrives precisely when he means to!
@BillingsBrix said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @garethsmith72 said:
"Assume the sponsored tag got missed as all sets provided by Lego?"
For the low, low price of your soul, undying loyalty, and unmitigated fealty... you too can receive free Lego. (boo-hah-hah-ha-haaah!)"
Eh, that's still cheaper than 330 dollars"
Now, that's vice-flation for you.
So, I was watching my new copy of Deadpool and Wolverine (as one does), and my mind turned to the important questions in life. Why aren’t Wolverine’s teeth impregnated with adamantium like the rest of his skeleton? Does having adamantium-laced bones in your inner ear change the way you hear sounds, perhaps giving everything a clangy overtone?
@PurpleDave said:
"So, I was watching my new copy of Deadpool and Wolverine (as one does), and my mind turned to the important questions in life. Why aren’t Wolverine’s teeth impregnated with adamantium like the rest of his skeleton? Does having adamantium-laced bones in your inner ear change the way you hear sounds, perhaps giving everything a clangy overtone?"
Its been variously explained at various points, and retconned about and changed over time. But the basic explaination used to be that the process that coated Wolverines skeleton with adamantium was selective and done with precise injection points, therefore his teeth and earbones wouldn't have been coated.
Longer explaination though is that teeth, while made from relatively the same materials, are not bone. They don't heal, or grow, or beyond the root, contain living tissue unlike bone. Plus, teeth are coated with enamel which again is a different material in and of itself.
As for the ear bones, their purpose normally is simply to carry and amplify vibrations from the ear drum to the inner ear. Adamantium, being much denser then bone, I'm not sure how it would effect his hearing. Sound is meant to travel faster through solid materials, so you could argue it might actually improve and speed up his hearing.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17:
_Just_ for the day. Which, where he's located, is already yesterday. We don't want him getting a big head about it and trying to lord it over everyone."
TO ME, MY RIDGE-MEN!"
*one lonely cricket*"
Present!
A StyleCounselor is never late or early, Prof. Plum. He arrives precisely when he means to!"
So you’re claiming to be his subservient lackey? Because that’s what I’m getting from this.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17 :
_Just_ for the day. Which, where he's located, is already yesterday. We don't want him getting a big head about it and trying to lord it over everyone."
TO ME, MY RIDGE-MEN!"
*one lonely cricket*"
Present!
A StyleCounselor is never late or early, Prof. Plum. He arrives precisely when he means to!"
So you’re claiming to be his subservient lackey? Because that’s what I’m getting from this."
Dear Dave: if that's not enough for you, perhaps you could try to get off my https://brickset.com/parts/design-98989."
Wherever there is injustice, you will find us. there is suffering, we'll be there. Wherever liberty is threatened...
@sunko13 said:
"Even though i understand the Marvel geography, for me its a lego building. I am fortunate that the X-mansion will be a great looking school in my residential area. The other Marvel buildings are in the city as an Octan head office, a research and development building and a Museum. I have no problem having next to any other building.
I wish the x-mansion looked bigger but will look good next to all those lego houses. "
Which are which?! I’m guessing Octan is the Avengers tower?
@Ridgeheart said:
"Dear Dave: if that's not enough for you, perhaps you could try to get off my https://brickset.com/parts/design-98989."
Sorry, was I standing on your, uh, that? Between the hard-soled work boots, and the sharp gravel underfoot, it's really difficult to tell when something that small is in the way.
I am totally ignorant when it comes to X-Men, so my opinion on this set probably isn't super important. But I actually do really like the more simplistic facade. I don't know why, something about it is really nice and simple. The colors are great, too. And I always love it when modulars do something unique with the sidewalk area. A front lawn? Grass? This is the only modular to do that!
All that being said, I understand why many are disappointed. If it were a modular based on something I was passionate about, I'd want it to be more accurate, too (I can only dream of getting a Lego Mega Man Robot Museum Modular, maybe one day!!).
As for the hight, I wonder what it would look like next to some of the smaller modulars, like the pizza half of the jazz club, or maybe the left side of Detectives Office, or the Pet Shop.
When the Daily Bugle came out I thought it was ridiculously priced and now compared to the Mansion it looks great value!
@ambr said:
"When the Daily Bugle came out I thought it was ridiculously priced and now compared to the Mansion it looks great value! "
I think it's the 15 extra figures that really tips the Bugle into greatness. Huge wow factor. And the height. For £10 extra.
(I had to keep re-counting the minifigs in the X-mansion as bizarrely the official images omit Jean Grey from the minifig line-up image!)
@Robot99 said:
"I'm not familiar with Marvel, but as an NYC resident I don't think the initial chronological configuration you have there is too bad. It's not as unusual as you might think to find a more historic-looking building with a lawn or fountain and such nestled within or nearby a bunch of skyscrapers."
Absolutely. In fact, it kind of reminds me of Avengers Mansion in that regard.
@gatorbug6 said:
"How are people still justifying the price of the X-Mansion?"
This is what all those Insider Pts are for. I'm going to pay for at least half the price of this in points. And then I'll make it the scale I want it to be.