Review: 21023 Flatiron Building
Posted by CapnRex101,
The Architecture theme has grown in popularity since it first appeared in 2008, but it was only last year that I developed an interest in this theme after acquiring 21019 Eiffel Tower. Images of the two 2015 models in the series impressed many fans, including myself, so I rushed out to buy 21023 Flatiron Building yesterday as it is now available at some branches of Smyths in the UK and Ireland.
21023 is priced at £34.99 and contains 471-pieces, so in that regard it is good value for an Architecture set, particularly considering the high quality of the packaging and instructions. The model measures 157mm in height so is not particularly large, although it is absolutely packed with pieces and weighs a fair amount so it feels well worth what you are paying for it.
The Flatiron Building is an icon of New York City, built in the Renaissance Revival style in 1902. It has since given its name to an entire area of New York (where one will find a LEGO Store) and is counted among the most recognisable buildings in the city.
It should therefore be an ideal fit to become a LEGO Architecture model.
Box and Contents
The box is typical of the Architecture series, made of a high quality cardboard and with an opening flap so no damage is done to the box as you open it. Inside are five bags of pieces and an eighty-eight page instruction booklet. As usual, several of these pages are occupied by information and facts about the building and its construction, as well as Daniel H. Burnham, the architect who designed the Flatiron.
I am sure the quality of the packaging counts towards the cost of the set, but I certainly don't think that is noticeable here.
The Build
Most Architecture sets are a joy to build, and this one is no different. Although the rather difficult shape of the building has been captured using the simplest techniques possible, this is nevertheless an impressive demonstration of how SNOT construction can be integrated with hinges.
The build begins with construction of the base, which is only 10x14 studs in size. You then proceed to assemble the internal structure using various bricks, plates and twelve 1x2/1x4 brackets.
All of these bricks are quickly covered by sections of the building's facade, which are fitted to the brackets until they envelope all three sides of the structure. The model is completed by the addition of a series of 2x1x2 slopes at the top, placed sideways using headlight bricks.
The techniques used are not particularly elaborate, but the build was a delight from start to finish. I was quite surprised by its simplicity and impressed that such an unusually shaped building could be rendered so effectively using hinges, brackets and curved slopes!
The Completed Model
When finished, the Flatiron Building is almost seamless. Each side blends very well with those adjoining it and it closely resembles the actual building.
The three faces are decorated quite simply, but look very accurate to reality, with many small windows represented by 1x1 tiles and grille components. The four dark tan bands running around the entire model are not quite as visible in reality as they are on the model, but they certainly represent the floors of the skyscraper well.
The 1x1 round plates used above the two doors on the ground floor are an impressive detail, nicely recreating the circular carving and window found on the real Flatiron Building. The glass front runs along almost the entirety of the two longer sides and looks great.
The shape of the model is perfect as far as I can see. It faithfully recreates the sharpness of the real building that gives it its name and on display it looks fantastic. The tan colour approximates the limestone and terra cotta walls nicely as well.
Overall
I think the Flatiron Building is a superb choice for an Architecture model and it is thoroughly impressive when compared with images of the real thing. Of the five Architecture sets I own this is certainly my favourite by a substantial margin, not only because it looks excellent but also as £34.99 is good value in my opinion considering the detail and weight of the model.
I don't have any other Architecture sets with me, so I cannot give you a size comparison beside those. However, I came to the obvious conclusion that Owen and a Velociraptor from the Jurassic World theme would give you an appropriate impression of scale.
The set is available now in some Smyths stores and I suspect the release date worldwide will be the 1st of May to accompany the Jurassic World line and Series 2 of the Simpsons Collectible Minifigures. To fans of the Architecture theme, I think it is a must have and if you want to buy an impressive, medium sized set to get a taste of the line, this is the ideal set to choose!
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14 comments on this article
Looks terrific to me. Makes the purchase list .
The proportions seem off to me- the brown seems way to wide, and the center section of smaller windows seems short compared with the crown of the building in reality.
When the first pics came out I thought the model seemed just a little bit squat. Definitely a good opportunity for a mod to make it a bit taller.
Oh and it's Daniel Burnham, not Barnham. The former Chicagoan in me couldn't let that go. Otherwise an excellent review as always, Captain, thanks!
I'm trying to remember the building as I have been to the LEGO Store there for the awesome Bionicle NYC Comic Con event. It's a really wonderful store and this is an amazing looking model. Some in the series have been rather lacking or look odd to me, this one looks perfect.
That raptor looks cool, when is the review of that giant reptile next to the building?
It's the Louvre that i'd like, but this being £35 gives the idea it will be more like £50 to the Trevi Fountains more realistic £40.
I think they recreated this pretty well. I don't like the 1x2 grill alternating on the side. That doesn't seem to reflect how the actual building looks (just based on pictures via google). Looking at the actual building, this does seem a little too thick in comparison to scale, but there is only so much one can do with LEGO bricks.
Thanks for the review. I will definitely pass on this one though.
My ex wife worked in that building! I know it well, inside and out!
10/10 with raptor.
I adore this set, even moreso now that I know it uses solid and simple techniques to achieve it. Another amazing entry into the Lego Architecture series. Now I am going to find some suitable replacement for 'the ball'.
I can't wait to see how accurate my model was. I reverse-engineered many sections of the model back when the photos of this model leaked in September. @ http://tomalphin.com/2014/09/reverse-engineering-lego-architecture-21023-flatiron-building.html
(I admit, I didn't read the review yet because I don't want any spoilers - I like to build these models without using the instructions.)
This is one of my favorite series. Can't wait to add this to my collection.
Great review, but out of curiosity, why always the side angle in the photos? The Flatiron is such a neat building, it's arrowhead shape unique to NY. It'd be great to see a head-on shot and maybe a pick from above to get a better perspective of the overall shape.
Also, might be cool in the architecture reviews to see a shot of the actual building being replicated in brick.
The detail is absolutely lovely. The model looks exactly like the real thing. I want to purchase this online or at Barnes & Noble but i probably won't (not being negative towards the set (not that the set has feelings or anything.)