Las Vegas skyline has been redesigned
Posted by Huw,
Recently we reported that we had heard that 21038 Las Vegas was to be released at the end of this month.
New information uncovered by PromoBricks at the toy fair yesterday reveals that that's not the case after all. In fact, it's been delayed until September to allow for the Mandalay Bay Hotel to be removed and replaced with another building.
That seems a bit extreme given the building itself was not responsible for the recent atrocity there, but I suppose it will for ever be associated by the event.
I wonder what will replace it?
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Best that they demolish the entire hotel, then? Arc de Triomphe was built to celebrate the slaughter of 16000 non-French troops at Austerlitz, why was that released? TLG is getting more hypocritical by the minute.
They are removing the biggest, most prominent part of the set?
Hmmm. Too bad, but I guess there are plenty of other large Las Vegas hotels to put in the place of Mandalay Bay. To be honest, Mandalay Bay isn't the first, second or even third hotel I think off when thinking about the Las Vegas skyline.
I'd definitely like a Paris, Las Vegas hotel or an Excalibur hotel in its place, because those are the two I've stayed in.
@Sammael - for the Arc de Triomphe there is a distance of years that separate the architecture from the event. Also, not many casual Lego buyers will know about that without researching it. In the case of Las Vegas the tragedy is still recent and still connected and well-known generally. Personally, I wouldn't mind if they included it, but if they replaced it with the Venetian it would make me happy as I've stayed there...
Maybe there were other Casinos Hotels who would like to have a LEGO set of their building. I don't know Las Vegas but there are plenty of impressive buildings to choose from.
@Sammael similarly there is the Victory Column of Berlin 21027 which also comemorates several wars.
Sad news the Mandalay Bay is being removed but if this is the case, having stayed in the Luxor, I’d suggest the castle-like Excalibur next door would make a perfect choice!
the Mirage building is perfect for that change; it is the one I would bet
I'm honest, before the shooting I hadn't really ever heard about the Mandalay Bay hotel at all. There are so many well known hotels/casinos in Las Vegas, I am sure LEGO will find a suitable replacement. It is not as if the Mandalay Bay hotel was a very attractive or recognisable building to begin with anyway.
I think they will not choose hotels that replicate sets already released (Venetian, Paris Paris)
I wanted to buy this set mainly because of the Mandalay Bay Hotels Gold colour that would stand out among other skyline buildings. That’s sad and I hope I could recreate this building from my own pieces (but that would cost a lot more than if we got it directly from Lego). It’s sad that decision like that has to be made. I understand it, but I’m still utterly disappointed.
I was surprised at its inclusion. I'm hoping the Belagio, with fountains, is the replacement.
I can understand this. The frequency with which kids gleefully ask me to build the Twin Towers in my LEGO city and suspend planes from the ceiling to look like they're about to crash is absolutely gutting. Many children seriously think the violent murder of thousands of innocent real people is something to joke about. Parents, please put down Candy Crush and do your jobs?
LEGO needs to keep a very safe distance from any possibility of accusation that they're actively enabling kids to reenact and make light of modern-day atrocities that remain extremely painful to the generation of survivors. We've all seen how readily the media and non-thinking social media addicts fabricate libelous cause/effect connections for the sake of likes & entertainment. Individuals and organizations alike with strong moral stances are wont to protect themselves from the more obvious of such agonizing attacks, even when such defense can appear to outsiders as preemptively caving in.
I think it's understandable that LEGO doesn't want to step on any toes so relatively close to what happened, even if most people don't blame the hotel. I'm not overly sensitive to it personally, but I still think it's the right thing to do. There are many options to replace it with too, I thought it was weird that they didn't have the Bellagio in there, with the fountain.
The Bellagio with the fountain was on the version that I saw online, and when this was shown I really missed the fountains. I hope it gets added.
What most people are forgetting is the set was in research/design/production before the tragedy occurred. Its an unfortunate scenario but I guess necessary. I've said it before and I'll say it again; if radio stations stopped playing "New Orleans is Sinking" after hurricane Katrina, then I'm not surprised by this move on Lego's part.
Just replacing Mandalay Bay with another hotel means the order of the hotels on the strip will be wrong. They'll probably have to change Luxor too, or move it next to the LV sign & still make the complete model look 'balanced' Bellagio would be a good choice for me too. I did think Mirage but it may be too similar looking
I wonder if countless finished sets are going to be scrapped, like what happened to some of the Wall-E and Ant Man sets years ago. Sad to think, but if any sets get released with Mandalay Bay still in them they will probably become collectors items down the road.
^theJANG; as I have gotten older I find it weird how kids have a disconnect with 9/11. To them it's a piece of the history books, but to those of us who were alive at the time it was a day of infamy. I find it sad to think so many kids don't realize how painful that day was for the country, and how they want to play around with it with reckless abandon.
It is still a pretty live topic, just use Google news for the hotel name and there are very recent articles.
That means it is just one step from some groups or individuals creating negative publicity through media either by trying to get exposure or just being sincerely hurt...
And the next step would be some "jokers" using the official images with LEGO logo and removing one plate on the facade to show the broken window... that would get some negative responses as well without people checking how real set looks.
As preemptive damage control there is nothing wrong about the decision. If they calculated the manufacturing expenses, compared them to possible damages and came to result it is worth it, then is a business decision of the company itself.
Wow, I would have thought from the title that (Steve Wynn’s) Encore would be replaced due to his recent news stories.
The Mandalay Bay Hotel is not a casino that comes to mind when I think of Las Vegas. (And I've been to LV more than 10 times.) I would suggest the Venetian or Excalibur (stayed there 6+ times).
It is a terrible tragedy what happened at Mandalay Bay recently. I agree with the other comments on the reasons behind LEGO's decision to remove it from the set.
xboxtravis7992 and TheJang
I wonder if this is how people felt 20 years ago when Call of Duty and other games were first released letting you re-enact D-Day landings. I quite enjoyed playing them then--it's taken until now for me to wonder what the actual survivors of that day might feel about (in any sort of meaningful way, anyhow).
I really don't understand the backlash against this move. LEGO has a long standing policy of staying far away from controversy. Given the fact that they are a toy manufacturer, I'd say that is a valid choice. If the Arc de Triomphe was a memorial for the victory in a recent it wouldn't have made the cut either.
But if you really have been waiting for a LEGO rendition of Mandalay Bay, by all means knock yourselves out. The fact that LEGO won't release the Mandaly Bay, tanks or the Twin Towers does not mean you can't. But don't diss LEGO for showing some respect.
Silly to take it out, but, really, the Bellagio should have been included.
I think given the recent events and ‘still occasional’ aftermath updates it is of no surprise that the affected model is getting removed and replaced completely.
Had the set been released to the original plan it would’ve probably been a matter of time before public backlash happening impacting a negative blow to TLG.
The natur of the amendment does too make me curious whether any pre-made models will never see the light of day and enter the scrap heap.
I think LEGO made the right choice. There are so many options of what they might choose to replace - Excalibur, Bellagio, MGM Grand all come to mind for me before I think of Mandalay Bay. Bellagio probably makes the most sense, the fountains are so iconic.
I was at school at the time of 9/11 attacks and there were lots of joke about it. I probably found some
of them funny, even though I found the event shocking.
They can make a new vegas every year,... skyline changes there very often...
this sounds like a CYA (this time in a good way) so they wont have to put out a press release (see Jabba's Palace)
The big problem with removing Mandalay Bay is that it, along with the Stratosphere, bookends the modern strip. I agree with many other people that there are nicer, newer buildings that could replace it, but removing it makes Luxor the first hotel on the strip after the sign and that just looks wrong altogether. If they're going to get rid of Mandalay Bay they're going to have to get rid of the Stratosphere as well (a very key element of the skyline) or it will be glaringly obvious that Mandalay Bay was specifically excluded which defeats the entire purpose of removing it. Seems like a lose/lose situation to me. If they truly want to distance themselves from the tragedy that has caused them to redesign the set, Lego would be much better off cancelling this set and replacing it with another famous and recognizable city skyline such as San Francisco, Hong Kong, Seattle, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, etc.
I once made a MOC Las Vegas skyline with almost completely different buildings, including the Bellagio, the Excalibur, and the MGM Grand. I wonder if Lego will pick one of those, and I can compare my work with Lego's?
Once again a huge noise from just changing a small plastic creation to another. Calm down, people.
It's a shame that Lego has to be so careful with things like these, but come on, the Jabba's Palace set has gotten them into trouble. Jabba's Palace! I can understand them being careful.
I think this was the right move by LEGO. As others have said there were more iconic buildings which could have been included anyway, and I see it as respectful to the survivors and family members of those killed. Unfortunately, I fear that as with so many other mass shootings in the US this event will be largely forgotten as soon as the next one occurs.
It's the USA, by the time it's redesigned there will be a mass shooting terror attack at the next 2-3 buildings. This is ridiculous. Plus I was looking forward to the golden color bricks in the set.
Although the subject is loaded, I do not agree with the decision. Many other buildings and places have a sad history or past. To be in line with this decision, should they be banned as well? I think the answer is no.
I'm sold if they remove Wynn's Encore, too. Not only is it boring and non-iconic architecture — and not even semi-authentic since no metallic brown-copper elements were planned— but it's also wrapped up now in the rapey boorishness of its owner's state-of-his-brand.
@Sammael — like the Roman Colosseum, the Arc de Triomphe has already had decades of modifications of its original symbolism in the minds of Parisians from that of Napoleon's effort to out-arrogance the monuments of the Roman caesars to a monument that has been modded as to the reliefs depicted (Eisenhower's Liberation of Paris) and the adding of the torch to the memoriam of the Unknown Soldier.
From Las Vegas's POV, there is hardly anything of architectural permanence to beg what Mandalay Bay will ultimately stand, but it's not a surprise for Lego to want to distance itself from its current connection with the USA's domestic gun abuse culture and its tragedies.
I think it shoulnd't remain. The whole thing with this line is to celebrate architecture, at an arguably high price. I think that removing the set in general is better than replacing what was a highlight. But you have to understand LEGO's POV with avoiding a recent tragedy in a set. Same reason then wont make sets with war or military much. Its becuase the set stands for something.
@Kris_h, The difference is that this event wasn't long ago and is still fresh in a lot of people's minds.
The thing is, as LEGO fans we know that this set was in production long before the shooting occurred. LEGO's worry isn't offending us fans, it's the media. We saw what happened with Jabba's Palace of all things. If LEGO released the set with the Mandalay Bay Hotel the media would be all over it and LEGO would get a lot of negative press.
The MGM Grand would make most sense I think. Roughly same footprint. MGM is slightly shorter but has that same shape with the large wings of the hotel extending out from the center. MGM is the largest single hotel in the US.
I'm from Las Vegas. They should put the Excalibur (someone said this), the MGM Grand and Fremont Street. MGM Grand is nice and green, the Excalibur is colorful and Fremont Street from the Four Queens is Red and Pink. It would add to the lack of color this current model has. Can't believe they're putting in the Wynn Hotel which is brown and not something more colorful like the New York New York.
That's disappointing. I was hoping for some 1x2 gold bricks (assuming those were part of the set). I do understand the reason, but having Mandalay Bay included could have been spun so that the model was in honor of the victims.
I'm not sure why Mandalay Bay was included in the original design since there are a few other casinos that are more popular (i.e. Bellagio) although many are themed after other cities.
isn't Fremont Street already there on the far right?
I don't see the big deal for those that lament not having the Mandalay Bay in the model - can't you just attempt to recreate it using your own bricks if you wanted the 'original' model?
If any of the unedited versions got out already they're going to become oddly collectible items.
reasonable, this is. messed up, people already are. nukes, kids assume my classic space rockets are.
What's crazy is that the biggest/most popular/most expensive set out there now is of a spaceship known for destroying a space station full of thousands of civilian contractors /clerks
Lego trying to be political correct in the most pathetic way. My respect to all involved in the shooting, but will this move from Lego make them feel any better?
@damien, such expensive PR crisis management moves are seldom primarily about making victims feel better. It's about containing risks to the company, which in turn can aid brand and reputation authenticity. Good relations with victims, their sympathizers and the valence of public discourse are connected together.
I hope the gold 3-way rotor elements from that building get released elsewhere...
Where's the Bellagio Fountain?
I’ve been informed that the newest release time is this April.
Wow...*facepalm*
I think someones made a complaint. Not a victim or relative of a victim of the tragedy but some random person who thinks that having pieces of plastic arranged in a certain way 'might' upset people.
Respect and condolences to those involved but Lego is really yielding to political correctness and minorities recently.
I personally don't see why they didn't do a more famous city. We need a Rome skyline or Paris skyline. I have nothing against choosing Vegas but Lego can't keep changing skylines due to certain events that occur there.
They should replace it with Rick's pawn shop.
So happy we’ve moved on from the Friends redesign “controversy” and well as that booooring NASA set.
Lol, their going to put Trump Tower instead!
Really Lego, you need to remove the Mandalay Bay Hotel? Is not part of the skyline in Las Vegas? When I am next there should I pretend it doens't exist?
Touched. Really nice move from Lego. Very thoughtful, unlike some of the people on here who don't seem to care in the slightest. Wouldn't exactly release the Twin Towers would they?
By that logic, Nashville should stop making all country music because the shooting happened at a country music festival and hearing it might remind the victims.
I think they made the right decision
I just put together an extensive article walking readers through the decision to redesign the set, plus a list of possible replacement buildings.
http://brickarchitect.com/2018/21038-las-vegas-skyline-preview-and-redesign/
Let me know if I missed something!
P.s. I think Bellagio is a great choice, but so is MGM Grand.
Heh, wait until they hear about Steve Wynn. I quite liked the set the way it looks right now.
In regards to those arguing to also remove the Encore Hotel from this set:
Redesigning this set to replace the Encore Hotel because of Steve Wynn's alleged behavior would be for the wrong reason. Wynn didn't commit mass murder nor have any of his properties been involved in an event that resulted in someone's deliberate death. Rather, consideration to replace it should be because it's not as iconic as other Las Vegas strip landmarks.
This climate of witch hunting is getting tedious and counter-productive. If you dig around enough you'll probably find dirt on anyone - leave it up to the consumer to decide for themselves whether they want such a set.
Really getting tired of special interest groups 'deciding' what is best for everyone else.
Mandalay Bay was an ugly hotel, sinking into the Las Vegas desert before an expensive retrofit.
Fremont Street would be great.
Bellagio like many said.
Even Caesar's which was made famous in many movies.
Or Excalibur with their castle themed hotel would be nice.
The green MGM would be stellar.
A monorail in the front of the set would be cool.
The pretty new City Center would be interesting to see as a mini.
Even the mall's "silver surfboard" cloud can fit.
I didn't even vouch for Paris, Venetian, or Circus Circus.
In other words, there are SO MANY options to use to replace Mandalay Bay and the Wynn.