C'est Magnifique

Courtesy Avenue Saint-Jacques by snaillad 

Paris, France - (BTT) When you close your eyes and imagine Paris, likely the second thing to come into frame after the Eiffel Tower are the broad avenues lined with classical buildings such as the stunning example above - shops and restaurants on the bottom to encourage an active streetscape, apartments above to keep the buildings active at all hours of the day. While never becoming the household name that Gustave Eiffel has, at least not internationally, Georges-Eugène Haussmann deserves just as much credit for giving the City of Light its iconic look. Conveniently located right at the entrance of a Metro station, this building is more that just a pretty facade. Go inside you will find a lot going on - restaurants and cafes, dentist offices, and apartments that are the height of luxury.

Good for What Ails You

Courtesy Pharmacy and Doctors by cimddwc

Market Square - (BTT) It's officially cold and flu season, and this year is a real doozy. It's such a horrible and helpless feeling to be sick, but thankfully this classically detailed beauty of a building has you doubly covered. On the ground floor is a pharmacy, perfect for when you realize that all the chicken soup in the world isn't going to cut it and you need some real medication to see you through the day. Of course the best way to know what you need is to actually visit your doctor, and as luck would have it several can be found on the floors above. Science may never find that cure for the common cold, but I suppose a runny nose is a small price to pay for architecture this good.

Model of Health

Courtesy Modular Hospital by cecilihf 

Wellbeing Way - (BTT) Let's be honest - going to the hospital is rarely a pleasant occasion. The stench of disinfectant everywhere, the food that makes that on airplanes seem like fine dining, the whole getting poked with needles and scalpels and whatnot - certainly no stay at the Ritz. Still, think of where we would be without them. Located in what must be the Spanish section of Oslo based on those beautifully arched windows and stucco facade, this healthcare facility has thankfully seen many more people come into this world than they have seen depart it.

Homely Hospitality

Courtesy One Brick Plaza by anupher

Texture Corner- (BTT) Hotels. The home away from home for many a weary traveler. What makes us love them so much? The warm, supple bedding? The free, delicious breakfast? Or the helpful, kind staff? Whatever it is, hotels are often a great place to spend the night during one's travels, and this one is amazing as well! The unique plated glass doors, the great use of the 'brick brick', the foliage creeping slowly up the side of the building are all excellent. Let's just hope they have enough supplies for an extended stay!

The Call of the Sea

Courtesy The Old Lifeboat Station by Derfel Cadran

Seashore Drive- (BTT) The sea calls some men like an owner calls his dog. And many answer that call, from fishermen, to naval officers, to recreational boaters, and even those who will commit themselves to a life on the sea in a houseboat. Yes, the sea has a certiant mystic allure, and all of that charm, mystery, and intrigue is captured in this lifeboat station. From the painted wood doors to the stone walls and anchor garden, this captures the spray of the sea, calls of the gulls, and sound of the shrieking wind. And with an unflipable lifeboat, , the call of the sea is sure to reach the ears of these adventurous minifigures.

9mm and a Three-Peice Suit

Courtesy Olivander's Men's Clothing by Cunctator

12 Adogin Lane- (BTT) Magic wands just aren't as popular as they used to be, and Mr. Olivander found that end's just weren't meeting for his wand shop, so he closed up and stared into the men's fashion industry! This Modular has quite an interesting colour palette, focusing on secondary and tertiary colours, with nary a red, blue or yellow in sight. The building has a regal air, with the gilded fencing on the roof, cast iron lamps on the second floor, and a perfectly blemish-free sidewalk. It almost puts a spell on you, doesn't it?

Regent Business

Courtesy Blueberry Hill Shopping Centre by spacecolonel

Regency Square- (BTT) As is the trend, outdoor malls are becoming all the rage these days. You can look at all of the unique facades, while not feeling trapped in the routine blandness of a regular mall. Walking along one, it's quite easy to see why the new format is preferred, and this MOC is blazing the path of the outdoor mall. With signs advertising its goods, beautiful bark blue striping, and mellow an accents, this business draws in customers by the dozens. The lettering up top, as well as the platform it sits upon is nothing to shake a stick at either.

Also, happy Father's day to all of the AFOLs out there who are/ are soon to be dads! Enjoy your day.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Courtesy French Mansion by castor-troy

Nice, France- (BTT) Living in the lap of luxury is hard work. There's the constant presence of beautiful sunsets, that gleaming architecture, and too many choices of amenities. But, if you can handle the rough-and-tumble lifestyle of the rich and famous, then you can live in a beautiful hose like this. While this MOC by Castor-troy is technically still a WIP, it shines with beauty, like a lighthouse on a stormy sea.There are no shots of the interior yet, but based on his other creations, it'll be great. The tan brickwork is especially great when representing French architecture, and the building has many great shapes working together to make a highly unique corner building.

Cast Iron Corner

Courtesy Bank by 99mickey_mouse99

Business District- (BTT) While this building may not have as many precise details as an official Modular set, it sure makes up for it in overall appeal. Somehow, the dark red, and two shades of tan, with black highlights seem to give this building a highly desirable character. It has a very unique facade, using bricks that appear to be plates and tiles snotted together, and with and interesting, angular bay window corner. Not only does it look good alone, it matches exquisitely with the existing modulars, and a suitable replacement for a certain Cafe.

Awe-Inspiring

Courtesy Home Insurance Building by gordangrguric

Home Insurance Building, Chicago, Illinois- (BTT) Words barely have the power to describe the awe that I felt when I saw this MOC. Sure, many have successfully built skyscrapers before (DecoJim), but even those haven't made my jaw drop as it did on this one. The way all of the windows are in different states of shading, jut as in real life, the stonework, and even the fantastic colouring are all things to gawk at. Another amazing point is that it breaks up into 60 (!) modules, for easy transport, of course! Above all of that, since the building was demolished years ago, all he had to go off of were some black and white pictures on the Internet. Talk about a Herculean feat!

Also, this is the beginning to a great week of programming, starting tomorrow, and continuing until next Sunday, or indefinitely!

Urban Bliss

Courtesy New York Brownstone by BrickCityDepot

New York, New York- (BTT) When it comes to terraced houses in New York City, brownstone is the style. A nice front facade, a fire escape in the rear, and enough space to raise a family inside. This great MOC has all of that, and more. The glass awning, fully stocked designer kitchen, and prairie style living room all point to the residence of an upper middle class home, and it's obviously worth every cent! 

Afternoon Delight

Courtesy Modular Terrace House by mattiburgess

Wellington Way, Birmingham- (BTT) Often, one's first foray into the greater Lego community online begins with testing the waters with a small MOC or two, and slowly getting larger. However, mattiburgess started out by diving in with this beauty! The exterior features some noteworthy details, such as the windows on the sidewalls, a weather vane, and the cobbled look of the roof, he also built a full back patio and interior! Join me in welcoming mattiburgess to the community, and hoping that all of his future efforts look as good as this!

Mall Rats

Courtesy NK-Store and Tram by Skyrtsson

Stockholm, Sweden- (BTT) The mall is often a staple of a metropolitan city. Not only is it a center for economics, but also for socialising and art. While some malls are cookie-cutter recreations of their international counterparts, some take the extra step to be unique and memorable. This model of the NK-Mall has all sorts of outstanding detail. The great tram out front, the excellent black and gold sign, window displays, the woman running late for the train, and the man who didn't look twice before crossing the street!

Too Cool for School

Courtesy Pool Party by eilonwy77

Los Angeles, California- (BTT) For kids and teens in a hot weather climate, nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer's day than a swimming pool. Not only is there no salt to get in your eyes, it's private, can be accessed all the time, and you can swim AND snack, all at the same time. With this great pool deck scene, Katie (eilonwy77) has managed to fit in all of the feelings of summer into a beautiful little package. The curved wall, pool raft, multi-level deck, and great trees all come together to make this vibrant scene one of note!

Scaffolds & Shops

Courtesy Amsterdam Gift Shop by Brick City Depot

Amsterdam, The Netherlands- (BTT) In his series of fictional buildings from Amsterdam, Brian (Brick City Depot) has built buildings that seem to outshine the last, no matter how amazing. This latest is no exception! A modular gift shop (Which isn't very common, I may add!), complete with a fully furnished top floor apartment, functional scaffolding, concrete street barriers, and an A.C. unit on top, this would fit well in any town, but it seems that the Dutch will be the ones to get it!

Buy the Book

Courtesy Book Shop by castor-troy

Author Avenue - (BTT) Let's face the facts - owning a bookstore in this day and age is not the easiest of professions. Between the ever-growing number of e-reader supporters and the never-ending stream of people that just go in to read the magazines and leave without buying anything, it's not exactly the height of job security. Still, since the days of Gutenburg books have held a special place in society, and it's only fitting that they have a place to reside as special as this shop. Inside is as cluttered as any respectable store should be, handsome tomes stacked high yet always within reach.

What Happens in Amsterdam...

Courtesy Amsterdam Hotel by BrickCityDepot

Amsterdam, The Netherlands- (BTT) As one of the oldest cities in Europe, Amsterdam has had its time to rack up a large number of beautiful buildings. This is one of those buildings. From the elegant rooftop, to the awning over the entrance, this building screams beauty and elegance. The interior doesn't disappoint either! From a hotel logo on the rug adorning the foot of the stairs, to the mailboxes for the residents, the dual suites, a small landing leading to an even smaller balcony, this modular doesn't disappoint. May I suggest the caviar, sir?

Also, this is our 1,200th post! A big thank you to all of our readers and followers for making this possible!

I Can See for Miles and Miles...



Courtesy Terraced Street Corner by Dakar A

London, England- (BTT) Glasses are a really great invention, without them we would all be moles, with no sense of vision, feeling around our blurry surroundings with only our nose as a guide! While minifigures have had glasses since the first variation from the classic smile, they've never had somewhere to get them, until now! The Brick Glasses Shop is the #1 destination for minifigs of all sizes when less than 20/20 sight is not an option. With 3 fully furbished floors, including, but not limited to, a bathroom, kitchenette, and dumpster, this building is chock full of detail. And it's partner doesn't look bad either!

Full disclosure, this is my own MOC, but it absolutely destroyed my collection of tan bricks, to the point that I had to use two trips to a Pick-A-Brick wall to get the necessary parts. It's also the main reason why I've been posting somewhat infrequently lately, so I promise more juicy Modulars to come your way soon!

Antique Freaks

Courtesy Antique Shop by Castor-Troy

Lyon, France- (BTT) These days, a car loses half its value the minute it's off the lot. So, if that logic was in place for everything, then why would someone pay hundreds of dollars for a chair from a sunken ship (Titanic, anyone?) for hundreds of thousands of dollars? Because everything that's outlived its estimated life has a story to tell. A silver chalice may tell of knights and castles, while an ancient painting may show the hidden talents of an artist long dead. This great building was built to allow the citizens of a Lego city to enjoy the same stories of times gone by, be it black falcons, or Blacktron ! It features a full interior, and a rear that draws inspiration from another antique, the Green Grocer!

If the Shoe Fits...

Courtesy Star Athletic Shoe Shop by L. G. Orlando

1 Towncenter Drive- (BTT) According to the shop's catalogues and weekly inserts, Spring has sprung, and what better time to trade out that grimy pair of sneakers at home for a fresh, shiny and new pair? When you've got a hankering for slightly overpriced footwear, stop at the beautiful Star Footwear and Apparel shop. From the amazingly well-executed shoe sign on the second floor, to the professional-quality stickers, L. G. Orlando crams about as much detail as anyone would care to try to add to his open-backed buildings. This one is no exception.