Surprises in the LEGO Architecture Skylines 2017 wave?

[henrysunset]

Like so many of us, I am always very excited to see leaked or official photos of new sets in my favorite themes, especially Architecture.  Thankfully, we finally have official photos of the three new sets in the 2017 wave of the LEGO Architecture 'Skylines' theme. 


The three new sets in the 2017 wave of the "Skylines" theme.


This doubles the number of sets in the Skylines series to six, so I think it's fair to expect that this series is here to stay.  With 100's of major cities around the world to explore, I don't think they will run out very quickly!


Initial Observations:

• All three sets have around 400 bricks, unlike the 2016 wave which ranged from 212 to 598 bricks.
• All of the 2016 models had the same width of 32 studs, each of the 2017 models is a different width.  (This may make it harder to display them all on the same shelf.)
• There appear to be some new colors for existing parts.  (I'm also unsure of the part used on the top of the Wrigley Building in the Chicago model.  It might be a new part.)
• Unlike the 2016 models, only one of the 2017 models has a Nanofig element.

Each of the new models has a base of a different width.


For more detailed analysis of the three new models, please visit: http://brickarchitect.com/2016/2017-lego-architecture-preview/


The focus on the Skylines theme feels like a mixed blessing: on the one hand, we are getting more LEGO architecture sets each year than in the past; unfortunately this seems to be at the expense of the larger models focusing on a single building.  

What do you think?  Do you love the Skylines, or wish for more large classic LEGO Architecture models?


Thanks,
Tom Alphin

Author, 'The LEGO Architect' (now available in French, Spanish, Russian & Japanese.)

[anothergol]

Here I'm mostly excited about London, but for the one reason that it's a source of quarter-circle tile in LBG, only in that set I believe.

[Herky]

Since we had seen London before and got the review, I will just reiterate that I like that one...

Chicago - love the fact they included the Bean, and while the Red Block is not a great building per se, I like that there is some color in this one.  The one building I don't like in this one, is Wrigley, it is such a better building than depicted, but I guess it is included at least.

Sydney - Never been there but I like the inclusion of the water and bridge and the buildings are nice. 

Will be interesting to see where they go next, I would like to see maybe Rome, or a city in Spain, or how about this one...Jerusalem...

[tafkatb]

I appreciate the Skyline sets for filling the "souvenir" niche in the assortment, so I'd like to see them stick around. My hope is that this allows the rest of the line to renew a focus on buildings that represent significant contributions to the design and architectural world, and not just tourist attractions. (A small part of me will forever be bitter that the planned Eames House was scrapped and its SKU reassigned to a Leaning Tower of Pisa model.  )

So to answer your overall question, "Do you love the Skylines, or wish for more large classic LEGO Architecture models?" Well... both. My ideal assortment for each year would be three Skyline sets plus two or three larger "starchitect" models. And maybe a refresh of the Studio concept while we're at it...

(Oh, by the way, I might have figured out the piece on top of the Wrigley Building: I think we're looking at a white version of the lipstick piece from Friends.)

Edited December 8, 2016 by Tragic Banjo