Have you already acquired LEGO's brand new 2023 Modular Building set, "10312 Jazz Club"? As one of LEGO's annual flagship products and an excellent choice for serious LEGO fans looking to expand their cities, the Modular Buildings series is absolutely worth experiencing! Today, our Toy People editorial team will rank the LEGO Modular Buildings series and highlight their respective strengths! This guide is for all toy enthusiasts considering diving into the series.
What is the LEGO Modular Buildings Series? Before we officially begin, let's talk about some information regarding LEGO's "Modular Buildings." The official name for the series is Modular Buildings, which literally translates to modular architecture. Its selling point is the construction of various buildings with identical specifications (built on a 32x32 baseplate) using over two thousand pieces, while also balancing beautiful exteriors with intricate interior details. The more you collect, the more spectacular streets you can build, thereby constructing an entire city.
The first Modular Building, "10182 Café Corner," was released in 2007. Since then, LEGO has gradually expanded the series at a rate of one Modular Building per year. As of the latest release in 2023, "10312 Jazz Club," there are a total of 18 sets in the series. While it's difficult to precisely quantify the average ranking of a single set in this overall ranking, it can generally be divided into three ranking tiers. In addition to highly subjective aesthetic standards, I personally consider "storytelling" to be a very important evaluation factor, and I also take into account the principle that the Modular Buildings series tends to become more exquisite over time. However, every toy enthusiast's standards and preferences will certainly differ slightly, and we welcome everyone to share their unique insights with us! Now, let's get to the main topic and see our Modular Buildings ranking!
No. 18: "10190 Market Street"Piece Count: 1248 pieces, Price: US$89.99, Release Year: 2007
Minifigure Count: 3
"10190 Market Street," released in the same year as the pioneering Modular Building set "10182 Café Corner" and categorized under LEGO Factory, was not created by an official LEGO designer but by Dutch LEGO fan Eric Brok. Its positioning was as an expansion building for the Café Corner, with only just over 1,200 pieces. Although it featured interchangeable floor designs, it appears somewhat sparse as a standalone Modular Building without the Café Corner to complement it, which is why Market Street generally falls into this ranking.
LEGO Factory was a new service provided by LEGO in 2005, where LEGO fans could not only use virtual brick-building software for free but also create instruction manuals with building steps. After completion, they could even genuinely order their self-created brick sets from LEGO, and there was also a popularity voting mechanism. However, due to factors such as a higher barrier to entry for the software, the relatively high price of custom bricks, and the inability to attract a wider audience beyond loyal LEGO fans, it did not receive widespread enthusiastic response.
▼ The packaging of "10190 Market Street" features a photo of designer Eric Brok. Unfortunately, while the product was released in October 2007, Eric Brok passed away in June of the same year due to cancer.
No. 17 “10218 Pet Shop”Part Count: 2032 pieces total, Price: US$149.99, Release Year: 2011
Minifigure Count: 4
Among the Modular Buildings series, the Pet Shop was the first architectural form to combine two separate buildings. With just over 2000 pieces, its assembled height of 26.5 cm is noticeably shorter, a difference keenly felt by Modular Building enthusiasts. While it retains the series' characteristic detail and includes various animals, its exterior has received criticism for lacking distinctive features.
▼ Aside from the ground-floor pet shop, the interior of the other spaces is relatively simple; a higher piece count might have allowed for better detail.
No. 16 “10182 Café Corner”Part Count: 2056 pieces total, Price: US$139.99, Release Year: 2007
Minifigure Count: 3
As the pioneering ancestor of the Modular Buildings series, the “10182 Café Corner” not only holds historical significance but also showcased unprecedented building techniques in its exterior structure at the time. Examples include the 45-degree angled door, brick-built English lettering, and the extensively smoothed-out stud texture. Its realistic European architectural style captivated AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO) of the era. The beautiful exterior, combined with the now-classic three-story building structure of the Modular Buildings series, made this set an essential acquisition for many devoted LEGO fans.
However, if we disregard the historical significance of the Café Corner and view it purely from a product perspective, this set does have several shortcomings. For instance, the interior is largely empty except for the staircase, the building's rear is overly plain, and the method of connecting each floor is not entirely refined. Considering the subsequent improvements and evolution of the Modular Buildings, the editor still places the Café Corner, one of the "Old Modular Trilogy," in this position.
No. 15 “10211 Grand Emporium”Part Count: 2182 pieces total, Price: US$149.99, Release Year: 2010
Minifigure Count: 7
The "Department Store" in the street view is a modernly decorated department store building located on a corner. The ground-floor display windows are a major highlight. Overall, it can certainly be described as grand and magnificent, though "slightly monotonous" could also apply. Inside, the escalators and crystal chandeliers are quite charming, but beyond that, there aren't many other intricate components.
▼ The crystal chandelier is arguably a major highlight of this set.
No. 14: "10185 Green Grocer"Part Count: 2352 pieces, Price: US$149.99, Release Year: 2008
Minifigure Count: 4
Released in 2008, the "10185 Green Grocer" was the first to feature exquisite interior decoration, not only remedying the empty interior of the Corner Cafe but also enhancing the exterior's detail and color richness! The refrigerator filled with various drinks, the brick-built fireplace and grandfather clock, and the rooftop railing constructed from skeleton legs and axe pieces are all incredibly fresh. Personally, this Green Grocer is probably the modular building I'd most want to acquire retrospectively.
▼ The back of the building also features added structures like windows and a fire escape.
In some modular building rankings and reviews, the Green Grocer has consistently achieved very high positions. I personally believe that in addition to its beautiful exterior, the vivid and realistic interior accessories are a major contributing factor. However, considering the subsequent innovations in the modular building series, this set is placed at this rank.
No. 13: "10197 Fire Brigade"Part Count: 2231 pieces, Price: US$149.99, Release Year: 2009
Minifigure Count: 4
While firefighting is an enduring classic theme in the LEGO City series, a vintage-style fire station is quite rare. This LEGO Fire Brigade modular building not only embodies 1930s architectural style and highlights the charm of red brickwork, but it also incorporates two small Easter eggs. The first is the brick-built number "1932" located on the second floor beneath the clock tower, and the second is the number "3" on the floor tiles at the main entrance's fire truck bay. These numbers represent LEGO's founding year and that this set is the third modular building designed by Jamie Berard (the previous two being the Corner Cafe and the Green Grocer), respectively.
The Fire Brigade not only continues the tradition of intricate interior building but also offers excellent playability with its front entrance and rear rolling door design, allowing the vintage fire truck to actually drive in and out of the ground floor.
No. 12: "10224 Town Hall"Part Count: 2766 pieces, Price: US$199.99, Release Year: 2012
Minifigure Count: 8
Next up is the Town Hall, which at the time had the most parts among the Modular Buildings and was also the largest in assembled size (50 cm tall). The number 1891 on its exterior is set as the year the Town Hall was completed in this set's story, but this year is actually also the birth year of LEGO founder "Ole Kirk Christiansen." Interestingly, if you reverse 1891, 1981 is also the birth year of this set's designer, Astrid.
▼ With 8 minifigures, it also had the most among Modular Buildings at the time!
▼ In addition to the exterior Easter eggs, this Town Hall also features a major breakthrough in its interior: an elevator that can stop on each floor! You can see Astrid demonstrating its operation in the designer video.
▼ Lining it up with previous Modular Buildings clearly shows the immense size of the Town Hall (and the smallness of the Pet Shop).
▼ The transparent roof elements are absolutely beautiful!
No. 11: "10270 Bookshop"Part Count: 2504 pieces, Price: US$199.99, Release Year: 2020
Minifigure Count: 5
The "Bookshop" adopts the same architectural form as the Pet Shop, combining two houses into one Modular Building. Its color scheme features a strong contrast of aqua blue and brown, which has led to somewhat polarized reviews. While the architectural structure certainly boasts beautiful curves, doors, and windows, the bookstore's theme isn't strong enough, making this set feel relatively subdued. It's also true that the tree on the street is quite obstructive.
▼ However, the interior design, including furnishings such as the grandfather clock, bookshelves, bed, and pet enclosure, are all exquisitely detailed.
No. 10: "10246 Detective's Office"Part Count: 2262 pieces, Price: US$159.99, Release Year: 2015
Minifigure Count: 6
Next is the Detective's Office, which also features blue and earthy tones as its main exterior colors. Compared to the Bookshop, its colors are even more vibrant, and it uses smooth tiles and brick elements to create a building that blends different construction materials. The "POOL" sign, rendered with a brand-new building technique, is a major highlight. While the exterior still receives some criticism for lacking overall cohesion, I personally found the building experience to be full of delightful surprises.
The interior's level of detail is absolutely something the Detective's Office can be proud of. Not only does the barbershop feature a real mirror, an exquisite pool table, a ceiling fan, and detective office supplies, but thanks to the "secret candy smuggling" storyline integrated into this set, the ground floor's game room, barbershop, and the connecting middle section all feature mechanisms and secret doors, making it incredibly interesting.
▼ In designer Jamie Berard's concept, the LEGO Detective's Office is set during a period he calls "Prohibition Day." However, it's not the American Prohibition one might typically imagine; this time, LEGO minifigures are forbidden from "eating candy." But, as expected, the more you forbid, the more they want it! Builders can secretly transport barrels of candy through various hidden doors in the ground-floor barbershop and game room – it's incredibly fun.
▼ The bounty posters for the candy smugglers, which could be anyone, are also a rather charming accessory.
▼ Let Jamie Berard demonstrate the story he infused into it! After watching, you'll definitely love this Detective's Office even more!
9th Place: "10232 Palace Cinema"Part Count: 2196 pieces, Price: US$149.99, Release Year: 2013
Minifigure Count: 6
Next up is the magnificent "10232 Palace Cinema," which takes inspiration from the famous "TCL Chinese Theatre" on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, USA, incorporating its architectural features and opulent exterior. Not only does it feature a corner building design, but it also marks the first time stickers (for movie posters) and a two-story design were used, making it distinctly different from other modular buildings. It's also worth noting that the Palace Cinema was officially categorized under Creator Expert.
▼ The interior, with its charming ground-floor ticket counter and second-floor projection room, is absolutely delightful.
▼ The stylish black sedan is also one of this set's highlights.
▼ The designer Astrid's name on the poster is a very interesting little Easter egg, though you really have to look closely to spot it! However, these little Easter eggs are precisely what make LEGO toys even more captivating.
8th Place: "10264 Corner Garage"Part Count: 2569 pieces, Price: US$199.99, Release Year: 2019
Minifigure Count: 6
Another corner building! The inherent asymmetry of the Corner Garage, along with its large-windowed architectural style, makes this model incredibly enjoyable both for display and building. The ground-floor auto repair shop and gas station also allow for rich play scenarios.
The Corner Garage also features two interesting Easter eggs. First is the OCTAN oil. OCTAN is a company frequently appearing in the LEGO City series, associated with energy. It first debuted in 1992. Before its appearance, almost all LEGO gas station sets featured the Shell logo, a result of collaboration with Shell. After the introduction of this fictional OCTAN company, energy-related sets have primarily featured OCTAN. The Corner Garage brings this long-unseen logo back into the spotlight.
The second is about the 'Jones' homophone Easter egg. At the Corner Garage's veterinary clinic, the only animal not welcome inside is a 'snake,' because Dr. Jones is also helpless against snakes. Doesn't this remind you of another highly active treasure hunter, Indiana Jones?!
7th Place: "10278 Police Station"Piece Count: 2923 pieces, Price: US$199.99, Release Year: 2021
Minifigure Count: 5
Comprising a central police station flanked by a donut shop and a green building housing an evidence room, this 3-in-1 format once again pioneers a new look for the Modular Buildings series. The green climbing plant between the police station and the donut shop is also a very beautiful embellishment. However, due to this innovative architectural form, this set has received rather polarized reviews, making this story-rich and wonderfully detailed police station an often-underestimated Modular Building set.
▼ The retro telephone and typewriter, presented as printed pieces, are fantastic elements of this set, and the 'clue board,' a favorite of the set's designer, is also one of the most eye-catching interior details.
▼ One of the most important and interesting story elements: the newsstand owner is actually the donut thief, who lifts his bed in the bedroom above the donut shop to directly 'fish' for donuts.
▼ An advertisement related to the laundromat next to the bank in the 'Brick Bank' set.
6th Place: "10260 Downtown Diner"Piece Count: 2480 pieces, Price: US$169.99, Release Year: 2018
Minifigure Count: 6
This next set is arguably the one with the most fluctuating rankings across various Modular Building reviews! Often referred to as the 'American Diner' by Taiwanese LEGO fans, the Downtown Diner is a truly unique Modular Building set, infused with a strong American retro flavor. Not only are its colors bold and vibrant, but its eye-catching curved structure and pink 'Diner' signage make this set an immediate focal point when displayed alongside other Modular Buildings. Furthermore, this was the first Modular Buildings series set where minifigures no longer featured only the classic smiley face, but instead boasted a variety of expressive faces, marking a significant change following '10255 Assembly Square'!
Designed by Mike Psiaki, the exterior is not only incredibly colorful, but the curved lines built into every facade of the building are also a key part of the Downtown Diner's immense charm. The interior can certainly be described as exquisite, featuring a ground-floor restaurant with tiled flooring, elegant dining tables, and a counter, a boxing ring on the second floor, and a recording studio on the third floor.
▼ The recording studio scene is incredibly vibrant, and this album can also be found later in the '10264 Corner Garage' released in 2019! Additionally, records by this singer are also featured in the '10312 Jazz Club' released in 2023.
▼ The awesome pink sports car is definitely another bonus!
No. 5: "10251 Brick Bank"Piece Count: 2380 pieces, Price: US$ 169.99, Release Year: 2016
Minifigure Count: 5
Next up is the "Brick Bank," a set that holds a special place in the hearts of many Modular Building collectors and has consistently received high praise! As a corner building, this bank offers a remarkably rich visual presence. Its classical aesthetic design incorporates unexpected small parts in numerous places to create realistic lines, and even the roadside bench and clock are beautifully rendered.
Although the vault on the bank's first floor features a heavy door that requires a rotating lock to enter, its drawers can connect to the washing machines in the adjacent laundromat, allowing for direct "money laundering." Furthermore, treasures can be directly lowered into the vault from the chimney on the roof, making it utterly insecure! It's incredibly fun to play with.
▼ Let's take a look at the interesting storytelling designer Jamie Berard infused into this LEGO set.
No. 4: "10243 Parisian Restaurant"Piece Count: 2469 pieces, Price: US$ 159.99, Release Year: 2014
Minifigure Count: 5
Released in 2014, the "Parisian Restaurant" is frequently hailed as one of the best sets in the Modular Buildings series, receiving excellent reviews both domestically and internationally. Its primary appeal lies in its exceptionally elegant overall appearance, with the outdoor seating area, in particular, evoking a distinct Parisian ambiance. Beyond the abundant olive green pieces, notable features include the white croissant and shell elements, and the intricate patterns outlined by dark grey feathers.
▼ The interior, from the dining area to the kitchen overflowing with dishes, is incredibly detailed. The artist located in the attic is also a crucial character, as her artwork will later be seen in the "10297 Boutique Hotel"!
▼ The red motorcycle! This was definitely an item that made many LEGO fans scream with excitement at the time.
No. 3: "10255 Assembly Square"Piece Count: 4002 pieces, Price: US$ 299.99, Release Year: 2017
Minifigure Count: 9
As the 10th-anniversary set of the Modular Buildings series and a culmination of Jamie Berard's design prowess, "Assembly Square" is undoubtedly the ultimate, must-have Modular Building set for many toy enthusiasts. It not only boasts the most pieces in the series, over four thousand, and a remarkable 9 minifigures, but it also breaks the traditional 32x32 Modular Building footprint and features delightful tributes to earlier Modular Buildings! The central fountain plaza also adds a sense of space to this set, distinguishing it from other Modular Buildings.
The ground-floor coffee shop, second-floor music store, and third-floor dance studio on the left feature designs reminiscent of "10182 Cafe Corner" and "10211 Grand Emporium" respectively. The dance studio's mirror evokes the barber shop mirror piece from the Detective's Office; you can even discover a small room filled with LEGO bricks and "Cafe Corner" boxes.
Due to its massive scale, Assembly Square accommodates a rich variety of businesses, including a music store, photography studio, coffee shop, bakery, dentist, and more, all boasting beautifully detailed interiors that allow for countless storytelling possibilities. Even though Assembly Square was released in 2017, it remains an absolutely fantastic Modular Building to this day.
▼ The vintage camera and stroller are fantastic accessories that make you want to build them yourself!
No. 2 "10312 Jazz Club"Piece Count: 2899 pieces, Price: US$229.99, Release Year: 2023
Minifigure Count: 8
Next up is this year's newest Modular Building – the Jazz Club. Its exterior not only features a vibrant color scheme for the main building but also incorporates various transparent colored pieces to adorn the windows, along with a 45° entrance reminiscent of the Palace Cinema and a printed "JAZZ CLUB" tile. The overall aesthetic is simply stunning! The theme not only complements the "21334 Jazz Quartet" released in July 2022 but also provides LEGO citizens with a fantastic nightlife destination.
▼ The tailor shop, established in 1932, also pays homage to the year LEGO was founded.
▼ The rooftop greenhouse is tended by the pizza shop owner, providing safe and fresh vegetables in the city – absolutely brilliant! And the greenhouse structure is truly beautiful.
▼ One of the set's soul-stirring elements: the performance stage.
▼ The minifigures are also a major highlight of this Jazz Club set. In addition to its 8 characters, almost all of them have their own stories mentioned in the instruction manual, such as the chef buying vegetables at the green grocer, and the drummer purchasing drumsticks from the music store in Assembly Square, among others.
No. 1 "10297 Boutique Hotel"Piece Count: 3066 pieces, Price: US$229.99, Release Year: 2022
Minifigure Count: 7
In the designer introduction video for "10260 Downtown Diner," when designer Mike Psiaki was reviewing the Modular Buildings themes, he said, "We need a hotel!" Counting from 2018, it took four years for a hotel-themed set to actually be released. This set also serves as a significant 15th-anniversary commemorative item for the LEGO Modular Buildings series.
This "Boutique Hotel" is not just a beautifully designed corner-type building; it is a magnificent masterpiece brimming with elements that pay homage to 15 years of LEGO Modular Buildings history, and it is also the set with the highest piece count within the 32x32 footprint. The overall architectural style is distinctly European, with the exterior showcasing a beautiful gradient from brown to sand green. Coupled with geometric structures inspired by Pythagorean triangles and exquisite staircases, the more you look, the more impressive it becomes!
In terms of building details, you can also find many elements from other Modular Buildings, such as the same telephone at the ground floor reception as in the Police Station, balcony railings made with the same skeleton leg technique as in the Green Grocer, iron gate pipe elements originating from the same source as Market Street, the accountant minifigure also visits the Brick Bank to audit accounts, and the LEGO CREATOR EXPERT logo built with transparent pieces in the art gallery – super cool.
Below are some interesting Easter eggs screenshot from the instruction manual, from left to right, top to bottom:
- A coffee cart in the style of "10182 Cafe Corner".
- Balcony railings made with a similar building technique to "10185 Green Grocer", using skeleton legs.
- A guestbook with the names of characters from earlier Modular Buildings.
- The white croissant piece, first appearing in "10243 Parisian Restaurant" and used as a trash bag.
- The same typewriter printed tile as in "10278 Police Station".
- This sculpture and the white bust in the lobby of "10224 Town Hall" are both by the same sculptor.
- A bulletin board printed with elements from earlier Modular Buildings.
- Mosaic artwork by the artist living upstairs in "10243 Parisian Restaurant".
The 2022 "Boutique Hotel" is absolutely captivating, both in its exterior and interior. The hotel reception, the interior layouts of various room types, the presentation of artworks in the gallery, as well as the narrative depth of the characters that can be appreciated during the building process, and the many small connections to previous Modular Buildings, are truly delightful. All these elements make this Boutique Hotel the top-ranked set in this Modular Buildings review.
Finally, thank you, fellow toy enthusiasts, for reading this far. The LEGO Modular Buildings product line, spanning over a decade, is truly captivating! Through this review, I, the editor, have also gained a deeper understanding of each Modular Building, and the more I delve into them, the more I discover the charm of the interconnected world built by each set. The ranking presented here will certainly differ from what you have in mind, however, if this opportunity encourages toy enthusiasts to further explore their favorite Modular Buildings, or if you discover a set in this review that you unexpectedly missed and now wish to acquire, then that would be wonderful!