REVIEW: 21021 Marina Bay Sands

[WhiteFang]

Hello everyone,

What is this mysterious LEGO Architecture package? Read on to find out!

Revealing the latest 21021 Marina Bay Sands Architecture Set

I am really very pleased to bring this exclusive new review to our Eurobricks Community. Special thanks to The LEGO Group (TLG) and Eurobricks Staff/LEGO Ambassador, CopMike for facilitating and giving me this exclusive opportunity to review this superb new LEGO Architecture set! Before I was given this chance to review, I was determined to buy this set as soon as it is available locally, so I can also do a review of this new iconic architecture that is the first international feature of my country, Singapore. Without further ado, let's bring you a tour of this newly acclaimed building structure.

Before I begin in proper, some of you is wondering why the first two opening images look particularly unique as compared with the mainstream release. It is because this is a special edition for very special release for publicity purpose and it will not be available at retail front. The content is the same but the packaging is very different. Other than that, the main focus is the LEGO set itself.

Name: 21021 Marina Bay Sands (Republic of Singapore)

Theme: LEGO Model Making / Architecture

Year: 2014

Pieces: 602

Minifigs: 0 minifigure

Price: USD N.A, GBP N.A, EURO N.A, SGD $89.90

Resources: Brickset, BrickLink

An original box image of the 21021 Marina Bay Sands (Republic of Singapore)

Back view of the original box image of the 21021 Marina Bay Sands (Republic of Singapore)

By seeing the front and back of this box image, has certainly impressed me very much. The packaging for the LEGO Architecture products is very remarkable and is of the usual high standard that we have seen earlier. There are lots of details that can be found in the front and back. At one easy glance, you could have realised that this building, Marina Bay Sands is designed by the famous architect, Moshe Safdie. The box even reflect his signature. This iconic building landmark is designed by the LEGO Architectural Artist, Rok Zagalin Kobe. His name can be found at the front of the box, located at the bottom left hand corner.

In this image, you will be able to view a very brief description touching on the Marina Bay Sands.

Different side view of the original box image of the 21021, Image 1

Different side view of the original box image of the 21021, Image 2

Different side view of the original box image of the 21021, Image 3

Different side view of the original box image of the 21021, Image 4

The very first Singapore Landmark which is being featured by The LEGO Architecture Product Line

The Marina Bay Sands is a state of the art modern day marvel, even with its bricks built design. Through the LEGO Architecture Series, TLG has officially iconise the first ever Singapore building landmark into the world of LEGO, which I am very proud to associate with. As you may have recall that there was a poll even though the poll link seem to be in non-existence, conducted by TLG, one of the choices was the Marina Bay Sands and I was very pleased that the choice that I have voted for, has actualised into a formal product offering in this series later this year. I was thrilled and elated by the results in early February 2013, when news that the Marina Bay Sands won the poll.

The Marina Bay Sands is a model of a Singapore recent new landmark. The building is a hotel by itself, and is an integral part of the beautiful Singapore's city skyline which is mesmerising at day and night. The LEGO building model focuses on the signature hotel complex that showcases the three tall towers and the rooftop Sands Skypark. The building dimensions for the LEGO building model is measured at 224mm length and 136mm height.

The official information for the Marina Bay Sands is as followed, first opened in 2010, the Marina Bay Sands is the leading business, leisure and entertainment destination in Asia. It features large and flexible convention and exhibition facilities, 2560 hotel rooms and suites, casino (one of its two in Singapore), the rooftop Sands Skypark, shopping mall, celebrity chief restaurants and an outdoor event plaza. Its two theatres showcase a range of leading entertainment performances including world-renowned Broadway shows. Completing the line-up of attractions is ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands which play hosts to permanent and marquee exhibitions. You may visit the official website for more information.

This 21021 Marina Bay Sands is marketed as Limited Edition. From my understanding, there is only 10,000 sets produced and is rumoured only to be exclusive for sales in Singapore. As of now, I can tell you that all of the local toy retailers and even the Marina Bay Sands gift shop is currently out of stock. Apparently, the first shipment had been wipe cleaned off the shelves and I am glad to manage to be able to grab a few before it is totally out of stock. I do believe that there will be a second shipment but I am not sure how or when it will ever appear again. Because I don't believe that all 10,000 sets had been wiped clean in Singapore 'for good' in this single shipment within less than two weeks of retail sales. I really hope there will be more stock appearing, because it will be a huge disappointment for many LEGO Architecture fans especially to our international friends. I also heard that the set is available in Hong Kong, and perhaps in other parts of Asia as well. I sure look forward to see more of these sets appearing in other places, than Singapore.

Enjoy your building experience

There is lots of hype and anticipation when I opened this! It look as if the packaging is communicating with me and it is definitely effective, when it convey such a simple message across to my mind. I will certainly enjoy this building experience that I have been waiting for.

The content of the sealed box

Within the sealed box, it comes with five packages and a beautiful instruction manual to build up the set. It also come with a single promotional leaflet which feature the recent LEGO Architecture highlights and a survey request by TLG. I will encourage you to do your part and send your feedback to this survey if you happen to buy the LEGO Architecture series. I am sure the LEGO Architecture design team is keen to find out your thoughts on your latest purchase.

The construction materials

As you can see from above, it is a good assortment of white and transparent blue bricks that form the main building structure, while the dark and light grey form the building foundation. Let's see how this building transform itself in LEGO bricks. I like the part, that the Marina Bay Sands is feature as a printed tile which is shown in the next image.

The beginning of the construction of Marina Bay Sands

Laying the building foundation

The various dark grey flat tiles, mainly 2x4 size, are placed in a systematic manner that laid the foundation of this building structure.

Front view of a single tower

This building component form the main structure of a single tower. We will be repeating these steps for the other two towers as well and combined them shortly. As of now, it only show the half-completed tower of the front building. As you rotate to the back, you will see many of these white grids. These are the illustration of the hotel rooms balconies. The bottom of the walkway of the building show the connection of the base from one end to another.

Back view of a single tower

All of the three towers together ready to be constructed

This is the back view of the building structure which depict the hotel rooms

There are individual supporting layers within each towers

We also need to create these three individual supporting layers that are meant to be placed within each towers to represent the different floors from within the towers.

This is the design of the glass front of the building structure

Now you add in the main design of the glass front onto the individual towers with numerous levels of transparent blue to show the glass levels accordingly. From the actual building design, I personally felt that this design is lacking of, is the gradual curves of the three towers. It is not as perfect as I hope it will be, but at one glance, people can still instantly recognise it as the Marina Bay Sands.

Placing the glass windows onto the building front

Building the top level of the building structure

After completing the three towers, we will turn our attention to the top level that will be featuring the Sands Skypark and within the attraction, you will probably noticed the Infinity Swimming Pool from the top aerial view. It is amazing to swim in such a spectacular scenery which is 57 stories above ground floor and enjoying the Singapore's city skyline.

Front view of the Marina Bay Sands

Back view of the Marina Bay Sands

Top view of the Marina Bay Sands

This is the side entrance of the building

It appears to be an exit shelter

Black and White feature

The base and the building structure can be removed as two distinct pieces

Lining up the Marina Bay Sands building structure

Some of the nice pictures of the real Marina Bay Sands

The completed building can be kept safely into the original box

At the end of the day by separating the two distinct pieces away, I will be able to keep this whole set nicely in the original nice packaging for storage. I wasn't feeling so well lately and I failed to take a good picture of the actual LEGO set with the scenery behind. I am planning to take a picture within the next few weeks! The weather was not very good lately due to the rainy season. Still, I will love to get an actual shot from my camera together with the completed built. I will keep all of you posted later on.

To conclude, I am very pleased with this LEGO Architecture of the Marina Bay Sands. This deserved a very special place in my own collection, especially since this is my second LEGO Architecture set that I own, after the 21006 White House. I like how the designer capture the essence of this whole building design and present it in our favourite LEGO bricks. Even though the gradual curves are not captured perfectly for the three towers, but the overall appeal is very nicely done up and it made as a fine masterpiece to placed in a display cabinet. Not to mention, that I am proud to see a Singapore building landmark being made into my favourite toy hobby, LEGO and to showcase this icon to the global scene. I really wish to see more of other Singapore landmarks being able to capture in the LEGO Architecture series.

Summary review

Playability: 7/10 (LEGO Architecture sets can't played well with regular LEGO System sets because of the lack of the minifigures.)

Design: 8.5/10 (The design is done up very nicely and it is almost perfect, minus the imperfection of the gradual curves for the towers.)

Price: 7.5/10 (The set is a little pricey and furthermore with the 10,000 sets released worldwide, will expect the price to rose further in the secondary market.)

Overall: 7.7/10 (Complete your LEGO Architecture series and don't give this set a miss, for Singapore fans, you ought to grab this iconic landmark by showing your support for it.)

I gave it a "4" based on my Review Score Card. What about yours?

I hope every one of you enjoyed reading this simple review of mine. Comments and Criticisms are strongly welcomed.

Pictures can be found in My Flickr and My Brickshelf (When moderated)

[WhiteFang]

Dear Eurobricks Community,

I am very pleased to present to share with all of you on my latest completed reviewing project, of the 21021 - Marina Bay Sands.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts!

WhiteFang

[Freekysch]

Very good review, i am not a big fan of the Architecture sets, but i must say this looms great. Thank you for the nice review WhiteFang :)

Edited December 26, 2013 by Freekysch

[jimmynick]

It's a good-looking building, but not a good-looking set. I wonder why they didn't use trans-black instead of trans-blue for the windows?

[hugosantos]

That set is awesome as the real building it is... but why can't we grab one for us? Why is it a limited edition?

[Off the wall]

If Lego wants to enter into the Beanie Baby realm of manufactured scarcity/collectibility, well I'm out of the architecture series. I know, one person like me who's collected all previous architecture series products doesn't mean anything to Lego, but I'm not going to support a product line with manipulated scarcity.

[Legogal]

WF,

Thanks for another great review!

There seem to be two views of this building:

1. This is an outstanding building in real life. OR

2. This building is a major eyesore.

In any event, it is worthy of an Architecture set because of Mr. Safdie, the architect, and how prominent the building is in downtown Singapore. It looks like an apparition the first time you see it in the distance.

Those of us who are into the Architecture line won't be able to collect this set unless we BL it from Asia, with two sellers available in Hong Kong and Korea at the moment. I finally bought it yesterday because I like the design of the set, and want it for my collection. No, I am not a completist, but I have a lot of respect for the architect, and the design is quite innovative.

It would be nice if it had been marketed as a regular Architecture set so that distribution would be widespread and the average collector would not have to pay at least twice the original price. Not sure what TLG was thinking when they limited it so much.

Again thanks for the review and for making the set period. Architecture is a fascinating art and well worth the fine effort TLG has made to showcase so many outstanding structures.

[Off the wall]

With all due respect, why do most people on this website feel obligated to suck up to TLG even when TLG makes a blunder? Just asking, no disrespect intended.

[Legogal]

Otw: "Not sure what TLG was thinking when they limited it so much," from my post just above yours. I try to point out the positive and negative issues surrounding a set, so many of my posts contain critical as well as laudatory comments about TLG. There is no need to blindly worship TLG here because your credibility quickly will be shot if all you do is praise the company.

The reason I bought the set was because of the unusual (weird) design of the building and how it stands out in Singapore. And the fact that there are not enough Asian structures in the Architecture line. I don't feel that your question (above) is disrespectful; many comments address both sides of the issues. Enough has been said about TLG's error is producing such a small run of this set.

Edited December 27, 2013 by Legogal

[Vee]

I would review the set as a ZERO due to its "limited" release. Any set with a "limited" release deserves zero points in my opinion. I will not try to buy it at its Singaporean retail price, I will not pay the probably ridiculous prices when it reaches the after-market, I will not feed this circle of non-sense from Lego with its "limited" releases. If you can't release it globally, just don't release at all.

[rollermonkey]

Yeah, I don't get it. Even if they put it on S@H, but not in stores, it wouldn't bother me one bit. I am something of a completist, so I really hope this "limited" is a time-based thing, like how Bon Marche had the Eiffel set for a month before wide release.

...and I pulled the trigger on an eBay "buy it now" for $85 US plus shipping.

Hopefully it isn't a scam and hopefully (for me) it doesn't go on sale in the US for $50 six months from now.

:D

Edited December 27, 2013 by rollermonkey

[Cecilie]

Thanks for the nice review Fangy

I didn't know this set was so limited, which is sad because I think it's a really nice addition to the Architecture line, and would have wanted to have one, but not at the aftermarket prices...

[Herky]

This is the first Architecture set I do not like, but I honestly am not into Safdie's architecture either. We all have our own opinions of course, but I do not feel Safdie's structure's capture the same grace as say an IM Pei or a Wright or the craziness of Gehry.

Couple that with that fact that this is a hotel. I know the other early buildings were office buildings and such, but did not expect a hotel in this line. That sort of confuses me, even if it is a well known architect's design. I really hope we don't get to making Trump Tower or the Bellagio or something. I also think the design of the Lego building does not capture the true identity of the hotel...granted some of the others don't either. In the end, I think this was chosen as it won a contest for a build, not because it was on the list of great architectural wonders to be made. I am also disappointed that Lego is only making 10K of these, it is similar to the Shinkai (1st Cuusoo) and such limited production seems out of character.

To each his own I guess, I do have to say the review was top notch, WhiteFang did a great job in breaking it down and letting us know the info...

As for what OTW said, I don't think he directly said it to you Legogal, more to the fact that a lot of comments that occur on this site are so gushing no matter what TLG puts out. There is a lot of good discussion here but posting "I love it, great set, so wonderful" at every new pic and set that comes out is not really adding to a discussion.

[Hrw-Amen]

Not sure I like this set. I have to say I have not bought any of the range, although some of them look really nice. This one though seems somewhat lacking. Although the actual; building in real life looks great.

The thing that spoils it for me, apart from its excessive blue'ness is that little bit (Looks like a 1X3 possibly a 1X4?) tile hanging off the right hand side, (Or left depending on which way you are viewing it of course.) it is not clear exactly what it is supposed to be and all the photos of the realm structure I cannot see this part of the building as it is obscured by other buildings in front of it. That is not to say it is not there and really that is not the point. It seems as though it is just hanging off the side, almost as if it is too heavy or that the person making the model did not bother to press it down firmly enough. Even in the official box art photographs it looks like it is drooping and about to fall off, as though they just did not care to get it right. I suspect it is in part down to the angle of the photo and that the buildings are set in a sort of arc rather than it is actually drooping, but it just looks awful and silly.

It is a shame really as the series so far has been of quite a good standard and now it has been let down by this droop!

[Legogal]

Herky and Otw,

I did not take the comment above personally. I agree that too many posts gush about TLG.

When I have something nice to say about them, I do it. Generally I try to address the issue at hand.

Sometimes it is hard to give constructive comments about a build, so it is easier to say it "looks great, etc." Especially when someone is just starting to build their first MOC. It is a bit like what to say when your 6 year old child shows you a finger painting the/she made at school. Parents and teachers tend to be positive and complimentary because we are trained not to destroy the "artistic talents" of young people.

Hrw,

It is not clear to me which piece you are referring to that is "drooping off the side of the building." Are you referring to the overhang on one side of the bottom of the edge of the building? Guess it does not bother me if I can't identify it. But it is clear that this is important to your view of the set.

This building is incredibly difficult to model as a mini because it has so many curves and unusual features. Those characteristics make it interesting to me and validate its selection as an Architecture set. Each of us has a different approach to and understanding of architecture and experience with buildings we have been in, etc., which affects how we relate to a certain structure. And those of us who collect Architecture sets have our own levels of expertise to these builds based on our backgrounds, etc. Like any work of art, how we interpret it is based on where we are coming from and what we are looking for…very subjective matters for sure.

This forum is there for recording our reactions to things we see. So each comment can shed light on our total understanding of the build shown. Cheeers!

[JopieK]

Great review WhiteFang!!! Especially this one because it is a home building of course ;)

[rollermonkey]

So, does anybody know if the olive-green round tiles are exclusive to this set? Now that the instructions and part list are available from the Korean S@H site, I looked them up on PaB, and got no results.

[Vee]

Use trans-green instead...

[rollermonkey]

Thanks, but I wasn't looking for an alternative part suggestion. :)

I found one on ebay for an acceptable price ($85 for a $75 set? OK! ) and was actually wondering if it's unique to this set.

[King Aragorn]

Amazing Hotel and beutiful review!

[jimmynick]

This is the first Architecture set I do not like, but I honestly am not into Safdie's architecture either. We all have our own opinions of course, but I do not feel Safdie's structure's capture the same grace as say an IM Pei or a Wright or the craziness of Gehry.

If we could have the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC...

[Off the wall]

Okay, here's some honesty. I ordered this from a supplier in Asia. Paid way too much thanks to TLG. I plan on spending about $1000 on new Lego products when they are released on January 1. Despite not getting the VIP points, I will order everything that I can through Amazon and let TLG give some of its profit away to Amazon. Loyalty is a two way street, TLG.....

Btw, legogal, still love ya! :-)

Ps....my wife is on her way to Walgreens to refill my medication. :-)

Edited December 28, 2013 by Off the wall

[Off the wall]

One final thing. I'm collecting the architecture series. If Lego wants to issue a set representing the Hampton Inn down the road from me, fine. If they want to limit it to 10,000 units that will only be sold in Armpit, GA, fine. But don't include it in the architecture series with an architecture series product number. When you do that, and if I'm collecting the entire series, it appears to leave a hole in my collection. Got it, TLG?

[Hrw-Amen]

Legogal Sorry for not being clear. It is the bit that is near the bottom on the left hand side as you look at the set from the front. It is at the height of the first trans blue bits. It looks to me as though it is a 1X3 white tile, with a 1X2 white plate and a 1x1 trans blue plate attached underneath the tile. It is just not clear what it is from any pictures I can find of the original building. I have no doubt that it is some kind of overhanging walkway or off ice space or something. Maybe in real life it attaches to another building near by? I don't know, as I said I can find no low down photos of the original building to enable me to establish exactly what it is supposed to be. But anyway, regardless the point I was trying to make was that it appears to be drooping in the official images which just seems rather sloppy.

I agree that the building is really nice from an architectural perspective and I do really like it. It is hard to make it look good to get all the curves in this ssmall mini scale which to me begs the question that if the building could not be done justice in this scale then why do it? Why not produce a larger set that could do a good job of maintaining all those nice curves and leave a smaller set to something that does not have that as an issue?

[rollermonkey]

Okay, here's some honesty. I ordered this from a supplier in Asia. Paid way too much thanks to TLG.

I wonder if you bought from the same eBay supplier in Taiwan that I did. They had ten, and after each one sold, the price of the next one was higher. I got the second at $85 plus $22 for shipping, and when there were 5 left, it was up to $105 plus $25 for shipping, all from the same seller and the same lot.

Never mind the ones on there that were going for over $200!

Glad to see my shipping info today... I guess I'll hold off on a vote until I get it. :)

Edited December 29, 2013 by rollermonkey