Grand Extension

[flat_four]

Ever since first building the Grand Emporium, while being hugely impressed with the overall look of the building, I always thought it could do with being, a little... well, grander.

I remember seeing posts here on EB's sometime ago where people had added extra floors and placed two sets next to each other to increase its size, these definitely caught my eye and I decided then at the minimum id like to add another floor to my set.

Then, last month armed with a 20% off voucher, i made my way to the LEGO store.... Not many hours later I had built an extra floor from the purchased set and this was added to my first GE. I was most happy

I decided the extra floor would be a sports section so made some bits to suit this and also some extra toys and other odd bits for the other levels. This is when I decided the main problem with this building is the lack of floor space on each level. With that escalator taking up so much room it leaves little space for much stock on the shop floor. I also so had a quite a few ideas for the downstairs clothes section but the space just didn't really allow for it without it all looking cramped.

So with all those extra pieces leftover from my second set I thought id have a go at extending it.

I started with the base section and first floor, this took approx 3-4 hours steady work. The rest was done in small stages as when I got time. I was also slowed down at one point due to lack of parts. I think I managed to complete the 2nd story with just the parts from the sets and a few from my collection. But to complete the rest I had to make a couple of bricklink orders, the second one for only 6 parts! It was mainly arches, windows and large grey plates that I was short of. These were my first ever BL orders and I must say i was mighty impressed with the service both times.(Thanks bagelboybugle and bibble69)

Here are the results..

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169229970698642

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169232559847762

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169242975429650

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169260510292994

I'm sorry the picture quality is not great but if I take any better ones I will add them. I haven't added any of the interiors yet as;

a) Ive not taken any yet

b) I'm not completely happy with the layout for all the floors yet

I will post some pics when there a bit more complete.

One thing I was wondering, as there were still a lot of extra pieces left over from the 2nd set, would it have been cheaper to buy just one set and get just the extra parts required from BL?

My feeling is it might be close, but the most cost effective way would be to buy two sets and sell the spare pieces on BL.

Ben

*** now added interior photos *** see here-

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/GrandExtension#

Edited October 13, 2010 by flat_four

[gotoAndLego]

One thing I was wondering, as there were still a lot of extra pieces left over from the 2nd set, would it have been cheaper to buy just one set and get just the extra parts required from BL? My feeling is it might be close, but the most cost effective way would be to buy two sets and sell the spare pieces on BL.

Looks good. Are you doing an interior for that extra floor?

I would just keep the extras. Doing so means the chances of scavenging that set while building your next MOC would be lower. My Fire Brigade has already lost its fire escape for the big MOC I'm working on.

[flat_four]

Looks good. Are you doing an interior for that extra floor?

I would just keep the extras. Doing so means the chances of scavenging that set while building your next MOC would be lower. My Fire Brigade has already lost its fire escape for the big MOC I'm working on.

Thanks,

Interior is being worked on now.

The extra pieces will be kept, they've already been sorted into my collection. I was just wondering whether large orders on BL make sense when most the pieces you need are in one set. To me these modulars offer great value for money, Green grocer even more so at only £99

At the LEGO show in swindon at the weekend I saw a modular fire brigade that someone had built from two sets. It looked great.

Just watched that 'AFOL on CBS' video in the general section. Someone has out grand-ed me!!! (at approx 40secs in) http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6923277n&tag=related;photovideo

I thought it be unlikely that someone else hadn't done something similar.

[gotoAndLego]

I was just wondering whether large orders on BL make sense when most the pieces you need are in one set...

It really depends on whether you want extra parts or not.

[Flare]

Clever, I like it!

Nice work, flat_four...

[lightningtiger]

Very nice extension 'flat_four', can't wait to see the interior.....what department is it going to be ?

May I suggest furniture or ironmongery !

I'm a conformist! 'flat_four' I'm a conformist! !

[flat_four]

Clever, I like it!

Nice work, flat_four...

Very nice extension 'flat_four', can't wait to see the interior.....what department is it going to be ?

May I suggest furniture or ironmongery !

I'm a conformist! 'flat_four' I'm a conformist! !

Thanks guys

Still not 100% happy with the interior but photos will follow soon

[XimenaPaulina]

Great! The Emporium does look 'grander' since it's bigger. Very nicely done flat_four!

[drdavewatford]

I think it looks great, although if like you I'd' bought a second Grand Emporium set I would have probably just built the second one as a mirror image of the first and displayed them back to back, i.e. double the footprint. Then it would REALLY have looked like Harrod's !

Dr. D.

[Jasper Joppe Geers]

My feelings with these sets is taht they simply ask to be expanded,

no matter in what way. No offense here but It's not difficult to go

and buy an extra GE and attach it to the first one. It's what you

put into it yourself.

An extra GE is always a bonus, for its parts as an extra. You could

try tiling the floors for example, or try to work out ideas about

the facade or the inside. Also, you don't have to stick with the

way floors are done now. Why don't you try to work out a balustrade?

What about that chandelier?... And if it should remind you of Harrods,

would the next floor be clothing? Sports? Toys? Even furniture?...

So many things you could do...

Cheers!

JJ.

[flat_four]

@KielDaMan, drdavewatford, Jasper Joppe Geers

Thanks for your comments guys

JJG - no offence taken:)

I was going to wait till I had pics of the interior as that is where I can make it more unique, As you say anyone could do the extension quite easily.

I posted pics anyway as Ive got so many unfinished projects, I thought by adding it here it would encourage me to get on with the interior.

And finally here are some pics

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/GrandExtension#

After moaning about not having enough space I'm actually struggling a bit to fill some of the floors(sports mainly).

I know theres still nothing really special MOC wise here but thought you might like to see it so far anyway:) Ive stolen quite a few ideas from here and there so sorry not much originality, although i think there are a few touches added that Ive not seen before.

Hope you enjoy

Ben

[prateek]

Wow! Each department is great! I love the sports department, with the weight bench