Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Not Quite Dead

If the old adage “absence makes the heart grow fonder” really is true, then Brick Town Talk’s fondness level is at an all-time high, so at least there’s that.

Clearly that isn't the reality, but this extended hiatus has certainly made me miss this little site, and what could be better timing to stage yet another comeback than with the leak of the next modular, the Detective’s Office, due out early next year (thanks to Eurobricks for the pic below).

10246 Detective's Office
Detective's Office courtesy Eurobricks
This past year and a half have seen a fair amount of changes in the world of Lego blogs, with the death of a few of my favorites (goodbye Classic-Town) and the creation of some new ones (hello Modulars by Kristal). Still, I don’t think that there really is another site quite like this one, celebrating all the wonderful Lego architecture out there regardless of scale or style, so it’s worth keeping around, at least in my opinion.

For now, expect the usual reporting from me with a few minor tweaks here and there to margins and removing some dead wood. Don’t expect these every day, but definitely more than once every 18 months. Going forward, I am thinking about other features that would make the site more interesting to both the audience and the author so this isn’t just a series of images you’ve already seen on flickr. If there is anything you would like to see, feel free to email me (and if you have emailed in these last months, I am slowly getting through them).

As for my own Lego creations, those also took a year off. I am happy to say that I am slowly getting back in the MOC game, starting with the completion of my jewelry store, pizzeria, and bike shop (lovingly inspired by the official Bike Shop and Café set). Expect to see it soon in the Rockefeller Center Lego Store, and look forward to some new modulars in 2015.

Jewelry Store, Pizzeria, and Bricklyn Bike
Jewelry Store, Pizzeria, and Bricklyn Bike by Jonathan Grzywacz

Thursday, December 27, 2012

10232 Palace Cinema

10232 Palace Cinema by The LEGO Group (courtesy GRogall at Eurobricks)
What an exciting way to end the year! Although the next LEGO modular has been long rumored to be a theater, Eurobricks user GRogall once again provides the fan community with the first picture and information of the next set to hit shelves with the 10232 Palace Cinema. Clearly drawing inspiration from Hollywood's famous Grauman's Chinese Theater, this set should set you back less than this year's rather grand Town Hall. As a classic movie theater fan (the cinema this is inspired from dates back to 1926 - roughly the time that the more well known Art Deco theaters started springing up), I personally couldn't be more excited. Details are still scarce, so as always I recommend watching Eurobricks to get the latest info and images as they will no doubt start trickling in.

Monday, April 2, 2012

What I've Been Up To

Central Park West Facade
Courtesy 15 Central Park West by Jonathan Grzywacz
New York, New York - (BTT) If you noticed a bit of a lull in posting the past month, I am proud to finally share with you the major factor behind it - I was hard at work on the above model of Robert A.M. Stern Architect's 15 Central Park West, which is now on display in Washington, DC as part of the National Building Museum's exhibit LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition. It was a true challenge to get it done (only 6 weeks when I tend to take 6 months on a modular), but I am very happy with the end result. It stays on display until Sept 3, 2012, so should you find yourself in the nation's capital (well, the United State's anyway), I urge you to make the trip - it's a great museum with many other interesting exhibits to take in.

Many more stats are in the description on my flickr page.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Annual Passes for LEGOLAND Discovery Center - Now Available!

Annual passes are now available for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta. Here's the full scoop:

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ANNUAL PASSES NOW ON SALE FOR LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
LEGO Fans Who Purchase Early Receive Early Access to the Buckhead Attraction

ATLANTA (February 1, 2012)LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta has your ticket to fun this year! Opening on March 17 in Phipps Plaza, the highly anticipated attraction has just announced Unlimited Annual Passes will be available. By visiting www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com, guests can select a single pass for $54 or a family pass (four people) for $180 (excluding taxes). 

Friday, January 20, 2012

LEGO on National Geographic Channel



Sometimes, when the desire to build just isn't quite their, our minds wander and wonder. Staring at all these little bricks with such precise dimensions and shapes with such easy to follow instructions baffles us. How are they made? What's the process behind these endless varieties of bricks and colors and a toy that has morphed into a timeless hobbies for thousands of people all over the world.

LEGO on Ultimate Factories this Saturday at 8pm!
Well thankfully, the long unanswered question is finally being answered! Ultimate Factories, a television series on the National Geographic Channel, has set on finding out how this tiny little brick, that has transcended generations, is made. Based in the LEGO factory in Billund, Denmark, the show follows the design, implementation, packaging, and distribution of the new LEGO Police Station.

The show will air this Saturday at 8pm on the National Geographic Channel.

I would personally like to thank Kristin Montalbano of the National Geographic Channel for bringing me this news!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

10224 Town Hall

10224 Town Hall courtesy Caramidute 
The rumors were true - the next official modular is a indeed a Town Hall! Clocking in as the largest release in the line to date, both in height and piece count, LEGO has also included 8 minifigures - quite an impressive number. Start saving your pennies (or currency of choice) now so that you can pick one up when they start showing up in stores come March. Huge thank you to Mikey26 on the Eurobrick Forums for being the first to discover these photos - please visit their forums to see more and join in on the discussion.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Get a job as a LEGO Master Model Builder!

I was recently contacted by Emma Kivette of BRAVE Public Relations on a new job opening for the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Atlanta. Here's what she had to say:

"I’m hoping you might be able to share the following information with your readers. If you’d like any additional details, please let me know!   

Can you build anything and everything out of LEGO bricks? If so, sign up to try out for a full-time position as the Master Model Builder at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta before December 30! Interested candidates must register in advance by visiting the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta’s Facebook page and filling out the online application.   

Open auditions will be held on January 7, and the top 10 contenders will face off on January 8.   

To learn more about the position and competition, check out these videos:


Thanks! 

Emma Kylee Kivette | BRAVE Public Relations"

Hope we have some interested viewers put there! So sign up while you still can!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

10230 Mini Modulars

Courtesy 10230 Mini Modulars by LEGO

Missed any of the modulars the first time around and don't feel like breaking the bank to get them all? Live in a tiny apartment and just don't have room for such large sets? Either way, LEGO has you covered. Available in January 2012 for VIP Members, this set has miniature versions of the first 5 modulars together in one neat little package.

Big thanks to Rufus at the Eurobricks forums for breaking this news. Join the discussion, see more hi-res pictures, and see how much this will cost you at the Eurobricks topic here.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

I've seen the Pet Shop in person

I've been at BrickMagic in Raleigh, NC this weekend. Yesterday around 1:50 PM, the Pet Shop was officially unveiled. My photography skills remain a bit poor, but I did get some photos of details that I haven't seen elsewhere, like the storm cellar. I can also confirm that the color of the Pet Shop is indeed sand blue.

I'll be able to take more photos today and on Sunday - let me know if there are any angles you'd like me to try to get. Word is that LEGO stores everywhere will be allowed to sell these on Tuesday (naturally, the day after our convention discounts expire). You can see my photos from BrickMagic (including the Pet Shop and several great town and train layouts) in my BrickMagic 2011 flickr set.

Friday, May 6, 2011

10218 Pet Shop

icon

It's finally here! Here's LEGO's most recent addition to the modular building series, 10218 Pet Shop.

Here is the official press release:

10218 Pet Shop
Ages 16+. 2,032 pieces.
US $149.99 CA $199.99 DE 149.99 € UK 119.99 £
Available: Beginning of May

Continuing the LEGO® Modular Buildings series, this highly detailed, 3-story Pet Shop building and townhouse with full internal and external detailing is the perfect addition to your LEGO town. Greet customers with a menagerie of pets and let them treat them with a selection of toys and supplies. The pet shop building features a hinged staircase for easy access, upper apartment with kitchenette and upper loft overlooking the open plan interior below. To the side, the tastefully appointed townhouse features a detailed ground floor with accessories and spiral staircase leading to the upper floor. The attic space features storage boxes and French doors leading out to an elegant front balcony, while the rooftop garden, complete with fresh vegetables, brightens up the rear of the building.

• Includes 4 minifigures with accessories: pet shop owner, girl on bicycle, painter with paint roller and woman!
• Pet shop includes dog, cat, 2 parrots and fish tank with goldfish!
• Also includes 3 dog bones, ball, frog toy, birdhouse, bucket and brush!
• Kitchenette features stone fireplace, stove, sink, coffee maker and small table and chair!
• Upper loft features skylight, bed and lamp!
• Townhouse features ground floor with mailbox and mail, hat rack, couch, telephone, toilet and access to basement crawl space!
• Measures 11″ (25.5cm) wide and 10.5″ (26.5cm) high!
• Combine with other modular buildings, like 10197 Fire Brigade and 10211 Grand Emporium!

Press Release Courtesy LEGO. Thank you to ClassicTown and Eurobricks (more pictures available there too) for the news!

 Hope you enjoy! Thoughts and comments welcome!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

NEWS - 2010 Profit for LEGO

Well, I meant to post this awhile ago, but anyways, I am very happy to announce that LEGO has posted a 65% increase in profit from the year before and is now the 4th largest toy maker. I can't help but wonder if a majority of that is due to the explosion (at least that's how I see it) of online activity through various sites such as our very own Brick Town Talk, the LEGO groups on Flickr, Brickshelf, or the countless other LEGO related sites.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment!

Read the full article over at Yahoo!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

NEWS - Enter Hasbro


It appears Hasbro is attempting to butt into the building set industry with a new Transformer line set to be released this fall. The new blocks will be compatible with LEGO and MBs. Here's a little excerpt from the Chicago Tribune.

"Kre-O, launching in the fall, is intended to grab part of the booming construction set business that Lego dominates. While total U.S. toy revenue rose 2 percent to $21.87 billion in 2010, according to the NPD Group, building set sales jumped 13 percent."

Full story can be found on the Chicago Tribune website.

What can this mean for LEGO? Perhaps lower prices, maybe? Thoughts and comments welcome!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Brick Town Talk on Facebook

Join Brick Town Talk on Facebook! I figured it would be a much more adequate location to hold discussions and get more people interested in the website.  Link is off to the right.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Happy Farewell


I have decided that it is about time I completely handed over the reigns of Brick Town Talk to Chris. It has been an excellent experience creating this blog and seeing develop over the past four years.
I hope that the Modular Building line continues for a very long time and that AFOLs continue to build their own versions. The rumours are that we shall be seeing a modular Pet Store in the next few months. I for one will be at the LEGO shop on the day it comes out, much as I was when Cafe Corner hit the shelves for the first time.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Chris for writing the blog for the last year and to the other contributors. To Roger, who's interest in the beginning spured me on to continue. The biggest thanks must go to Jamie Berard who's incredible imagination and persuasive skills brought the modular building line to us in the first place.
I am raising a glass to Brick Town Talk. Long may it continue and I look forward to dipping in - in the future.
Cheers
Richard (Brickstreet).

Friday, November 5, 2010

NEWS - LEGO Sales Up 20%


Just caught this on the CBS evening news today. LEGO is "building up its workforce by 10%" and sales are up 20%. Sounds like great news, hopefully they can keep this up through the holiday season. Thoughts and comments always appreciated!
Click here for the full length video.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

NEWS - LEGO on CBS' Sunday Morning Show

Once again, LEGO makes the headlines!

Check out CBS' photo gallery on LEGO - Not Just Kid Stuff as they discuss the growing number AFOLs and the massively popular LEGO convention, Brick Fair. Not sure if there will be an accompanying video on it, but make sure to check it out!

EDIT: Here's the video! Click.

Chris

Sunday, December 16, 2007

New Sets....


I didn't buy any, but I saw 5 new LEGO sets today. Pretty speedy for UK. This plane was in Woolworths in Luton, and I saw the two more expensive Indiana Jones sets, the police surveillance lorry and the new police station £50 in Luton Toys R Us. I didn't think to take a photograph of them - wish I had. can't remember the other prices - sorry.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Its like heaven on Earth...

Not only am I over-the-moon that designers from my generation are at the reigns of LEGO now... They put together a set of my favourite car of all time.

Congratulations again LEGO. I believe from the article that Steen had a lot to do with this one. Love the colours. It looks a fair size too. It will be released in the second half of the year - can't wait.

I can feel another Blog coming on for all the colour variations (flower power etc) that will be put together by the fans.

Click on the picture for the link.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Good news from LEGO HQ

I had to move these comments into the main Blog - just in case you haven't read them yet. Can't wait for more news Jamie.

jamie said...

Your extended version of the cinema is fun! My original sketch model of that building was about 5 bricks taller than the final released version. We decided it was worth reducing its size in order to add extra minifigures to the set. More to share perhaps once Town Plan is officially released in
Brick Street said...

Thanks guys... Good to hear from you. Thanks for your comment Jamie. I like the smaller details like the popcorn stand and the gumball machine. The garage is spot on too. I'm looking forward to finding out how the cinema sign is attached. Did you have any say in the design of the new clear door? Any news gratefully received.

jamie said...

Heya Brick Street, I did not have any say in the door design because that was handled by another group with in the company. You bring smiles to my face with the compliments for the two buildings I designed. Town Plan was actually worked on by 3 different people. I did the cinema and gas station, Steen did the town hall and fountain and Jorgen did the gas pumps and two Vehicles. More info to come as the launch date grows near... :)

Saturday, October 20, 2007

More inside 10184











From Sinner's gallery.