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Café Corner Reviewed by Dunamis
Set 10182
2056 Pieces
$139.95 from LEGO Retail Store (Glendale, CA)
Build time 5.0 hours
The Box:
Interestingly, this is somewhat of a departure from the standard LEGO box we have seen in recent years. Gone are the breakable perforated tabs and the lift-up top. This box had four seals (two at each end) and re-sealable tabs at both ends of the box (think cereal box).
Also, it looks like the box art design has been updated. For example, looking at the back of the box, the background has a light blue baseplate look to it. I think this adds more of an �adult� feel to it, perhaps catering to the AFOL crowd. Obviously, this set was not targeted to children given the price and somewhat advanced building techniques found inside. The set does show 16+ for the age on the box.
We do see one alternate model on the back of the box, plus the additional versions of the Caf� Corner that you can build with multiple copies of this set.
Inside the box, the parts are in only the sealed bags (no perforated bags). The two green baseplates are loose in the box along with the two manuals.
One of my manuals was pretty bent from being loose in the box. Also, the bags are numbered (Yes!)
The Manual:
Two manuals included and they had the typical nice features that we have come to expect lately
- Piece call outs for each step
- Parts inventory at the end of the manual
- Page numbers
I did have some major color separation issues in the first part of the build, specifically in trying to distinguish between black and dark bley. Usually, these issues can be reconciled by the fact that you only have one color of the part in the set. In this case, the manual calls for a dark 1x1 round plate and when you go to the parts, there are both dark bley and black.
Random manual photos
Parts list
Inspiration Model
Otherwise, this is another fine effort from the LEGO manual designers.
The Pieces:
All I can say is wow! There is a huge assortment of parts and range of colors in this set. Bricks, plates, tiles, slopes, windows � it�s all there and lots of them. I love the use of the deep blue, brown and dark red colors. Very nice selection.
Looking for trans-red 1x1 plates? How about some 1x1 tiles in white? You have come to the right place.
Also, AFOLs must be dancing in the streets to see not one but TWO female minifigs! Very nice indeed (see the photo):
I suppose some will complain that we need more minifigs in a set of this size (and cost) and I agree it would have been nice to have a couple of more. But adding a 4 or 5 more minifigs from your existing minifig stash is pretty easy or at the very least a bricklink order away�
I do have a minor complaint about the windows (this was also mentioned in the BrickJournal article). The manufacturing process that creates the clear window panes leaves a noticeable circle in the middle of the window (see the photo).
Also noteworthy is the red bike, frogs and grapes:
Finally, there has been some concern with the quality of parts and the consistency of colors recently. I mentioned the clear panes above, but I also found more of the circles on some other bricks as well. This seemed to be more on some colors than others. Notice the circles in the studs on the dark red pieces below:
I also did see some of the color difference that some other posters have mentioned. You can see it in the brown bricks in the walls shown in this photo (far left):
I�m not sure what to make of this. The circles on the studs do not impact building, but the color consistency issue is noticeable. Hopefully, it is manageable and we won�t see it continue in other sets. LEGO has always been of the highest quality and it would be a shame to start sacrificing quality to increase profits.
The Build:
Well, it is kind of tedious right out of the gate. You�ve got a zillion of these little 1x1 tiles in multiple colors to put down in a pattern and it just took me a while (kind of like how it takes me an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes.) There is a lot of tile work as you can see from the photo:
Also, getting each little tile straight is kind of a chore. Some of mine are a bit crooked which is why (at the request of my wife) I hired someone to retile the floor and counters in my kitchen.
After that, the build is really straightforward and flows nicely. I mentioned the color issue in the manual, but otherwise that is it. The first book covers the first floor and the 2nd book is floors two and three. The second book definitely moves a lot faster. One interesting building step on the second floor called for 90 pieces (60 modified bricks and 30 tiles)! Obviously, due to the nature of the model some of the steps are a bit repetitive, but it is still pretty fun.
Here are a few photos of interim building stages:
The Design:
I can�t say enough about the amazing design of this model. As soon as I saw the pictures of this set, I HAD to have it. It is really that good. This is what the AFOL community has been asking for and LEGO delivered. There are some really interesting design techniques used in this set like the angled corner, hotel sign, arch above the front door, etc. For me, these are really inspirational and I really enjoy building sets that use these techniques.
As you probably already know, this set is modular in a couple of different ways.
- You can add additional floors going up to make a taller building.
- You can add buildings on either side to make a city block.
Ideally, if this set sells well (which by all early indications it will), The LEGO Company will release additional buildings. No doubt the AFOL MOC community is on overdrive right now cranking out compatible buildings. I can�t wait to see the brickshelf galleries of this in a month or two.
Also, I was glad to see the choice of color to come into the design decision. It would have been easy to just have all three floors be the same color scheme. I�m really glad the decision was made to have each floor be a different color scheme and building style that still flowed together and looks nice. That is part of the appeal of the set in my opinion.
There has been discussion about the interior (or lack thereof) of the building. Personally, I don�t see this as a huge issue. It won�t take much to slap together a serviceable interior from any spare parts and the more industrious builders out there would want to customize anything LEGO gave us anyway.
There is a working staircase that takes you from the door on the outside to the second and third floors. Notice the banisters in the photos above. Again, the detail and thought put in to this set is outstanding.
Finally, I noticed that in many cases the design uses more smaller bricks were used instead of fewer larger bricks, i.e. four 1x2 bricks instead of one 1x8 brick. I suspect this is a function of the Creator line as it gives a lot more flexibility in building other models from the same parts inventory.
Note that there were no stickers in this set.
And here are some additional photos.
Interesting building technique in the photo below:
Notice the circles on the windows below:
Nice exterior shots:
And here is what is left over:
Overall Thoughts:
Wonderful set. A must-buy for any AFOL and will probably be a finalist for set of the year. This set will be permanently displayed in my office. The level of detail is incredible and will capture the attention of people passing by.
One thought is that perhaps LEGO could make the parts for the second floor available in a service pack for purchase so that people who want to add floors but don�t want to purchase a second set.
LEGO has really stepped it up in the last couple of years across all the lines and this is a great example. It seems that LEGO has also listened to the needs and wants of the community and responded well. As I understand, the financials for The LEGO Company look really good this year and hopefully they recognize this as a function of listening to the AFOL community.
Lastly, I hope the manufacturing quality control issues get worked out. There is definitely a decrease in the color consistency especially in brown and a little in light bley.
Final Rating: 96%
Build 9/10 (Pretty quick for the number of pieces. Laying tile was a little tedious.)
Functionality 10/10 (It is a great foundation for more buildings to come. Added bonus is the modularity of the set.)
Design 10/10 (Outstanding)
Parts 9/10 (Excellent. Would like to have seen more minifigs included�)
Price 10/10 (The price ratio is great & amazing color selection. You get what you pay for�)
As usual, I welcome your comments, suggestions, complaints, etc. Let me know what you think.
If you want other photos, let me know as well and I'll post them.
