Plate

Grand Emporium vs Pet Shop

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write 95 comments.

That's 95 more :sweet: But yeah, keep commenting, keep bricking... (sorry Lt, I came here first :tongue: )

I still haven't gotten around to finally building my Grand Emporium, but I'm very much looking forward to it, despite the apparently repetitive build. Tower Bridge was also unbelievably boring at times but the finished article is just a joy to behold, and that matters more for me than whether I enjoyed the actual building process. In that aspect, I reckon I'll put off buying the Pet Shop for as long as I can. I don't expect either of these two modulars (GE / PS) to be as fun a build as the Fire Brigade (which still is my favourite set in terms of building experience) - however the Emporium definitely looks the part, whereas the Pet Shop... well, it just doesn't. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but considering how the prices of Modulars have been going up, it's a bit sad that their heyday to date, at least to me, can be placed at or before the release of Fire Brigade. Town Hall has definitely contributed to whetting my appetite for modulars lately, but in terms of bang for buck I doubt if it would ever be able to compete with the Cafe Corner which cost a "mere" 90 GBP.

All in all, I think the choice here is a no-brainer; same as almost everyone else, I'd choose the Emporium over the Pet Shop anyday.And besides, I've already got a pet and my hands are pretty full at the moment, having to deal with more would not be very nice...

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The GE is certainly the, shall we say, most customisable modular building because of two things; the smart exterior (which is pretty universal) and the plain interior which, in all honesty, could have been filled more. Personally I would fit it out as a shop dedicated to just one type of product, rather than the included instructions for many different products. It would be nice just as a clothes shop! Or even a fancy dress store (using the collectable minifig series) :classic:

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GE was fun to build. The revolving door was a nice piece of work. Repetetive as it may be, it looks great in the whole modular street. A superstore like this looks in the real world much the same. I have got Pet Shop yet, but i'm almost there. It's not as high as the other modulars, but i have seen it blend very well in a modular street. All modulars have had something special and i like all. I am very sorry to have missed out on Market Street, but have seen some good ideas here on the forum to build one with other colours.

My advise is: Buy them both. First GE and then PS. And have fun building them en seeing the completed.

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I was not really decided but finally I ordered GE and its coming. My purpose is to get both GE and PS (And now TH!!) The firts modular I build was GG and later FB. Both are excellent, but I really enjoyed the SNOT on FB. When I buy a modular I look the appearance but the building experience too. On the other hand, my experience tells me that all set win when you see them live and not images.I hope GE to meet my expectations .Thanks for your advice!

Edited by Plate

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Congratulations! I have both sets and actually prefer the PS but I think you'll like it. :thumbup:

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I will echo what others have said, get GE simply because it will be discontinued first.

Currently I only have GG and GE, I found the GE was a fantastic build for the ground floor, the escalators and the roof/chandelier. The two upper levels are very repetitive to build.

I just ordered PS, should be here in a week, after I build that I'll probably be back just to post how I think it compared to GE.

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I would definitely go with the GE. Way more interesting and challenging build from my point of view and sooner to be discontinued than the PS. On the other hand, it might also count what your preferred architectural style is. The GE is relatively modern, whereas the PS has a more classic style...

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I would definitely go with the GE. Way more interesting and challenging build from my point of view and sooner to be discontinued than the PS. On the other hand, it might also count what your preferred architectural style is. The GE is relatively modern, whereas the PS has a more classic style...

GE is definitely done in "Jugendstil" Architecture the tan colour with dark green windows as well as the corner windows and roof awnings all hint at this stile of architecture.

Which is also keeping with the time line of the Modular Building in the early 20's or 30's that was stated by Jamie Berard in issue 7 of the Brickjournal.

There is an H & M store in Amsterdam I think which is very similar to GE I will have to dig up the pic sometime, the resemblance to GE is very close.

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GE is definitely done in "Jugendstil" Architecture the tan colour with dark green windows as well as the corner windows and roof awnings all hint at this stile of architecture.

Which is also keeping with the time line of the Modular Building in the early 20's or 30's that was stated by Jamie Berard in issue 7 of the Brickjournal.

There is an H & M store in Amsterdam I think which is very similar to GE I will have to dig up the pic sometime, the resemblance to GE is very close.

Is it this one?

2390583639_eb66b91907.jpg

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Is it this one?

-snip-

No this one but I had to hunt for it for a wile.

handm.jpg

the corner window is uncanny very close to the one in GE as well as the colours used.

Edited by GRogall

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Ok!GE finished!!Very very nice set!I enjoyed building it. The building was faster than FB or GG and finished looks fantastic. The pictures do not do justice, you have to build and watch it live. I like the SNOT used on the first floor, the SHOP letters ,the main door, the lamp, the skylight ...For me every modular I have build has something special and different.

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Ok!GE finished!!Very very nice set!I enjoyed building it. The building was faster than FB or GG and finished looks fantastic. The pictures do not do justice, you have to build and watch it live. I like the SNOT used on the first floor, the SHOP letters ,the main door, the lamp, the skylight ...For me every modular I have build has something special and different.

The Modulars are a nice addiction. Shame they only come once a year. :cry_sad: are you going to be getting 10218 next? You're almost caught up, 2 to go. I don't know why PS gets so much flak on here...but I love it. The colors are great and the interiors are fun and detailed builds. The basement doors on the back were a neat surprise. Even though the basement is inaccessible. Then, the behemoth 10224 Town Hall. You might want a forklift if you're going to buy it at a LEGO store. :tongue:

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Ok!GE finished!!Very very nice set!I enjoyed building it. The building was faster than FB or GG and finished looks fantastic. The pictures do not do justice, you have to build and watch it live. I like the SNOT used on the first floor, the SHOP letters ,the main door, the lamp, the skylight ...For me every modular I have build has something special and different.

Can't agree more. Every modular has had his charme too it. I loved the arch on CC and the terras. GG's beautiful fasade and great interior of the ground floor and the fire escape. The old fire engine and kitchen with tennis table of FB, the lamp, the escalator and the revolving door of GE. The stairs of PS. Everyone of them is great in his own way. And once you start building MOC's, there is no end to the pleasure. I hope TLG wil continue with the Modular buildings for a long, long time.

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I have all modular buildings (just received the TH this morning). I really like the GE exterior and it is very impressive as a corner building. But I have to admit that I became quite fond of the PS: The build is cool and full of nice technics (while most have been seen elsewhere, it nice to have this little concentrate). Also, as the building are quite tiny compare to other, it's interesting to see how so many stuff where pack into so little space. But for me, the key of PS is that it is a living building. Included, you have 1 house and 1 apartment and it is necessary to have some places to live in my modular street among the places to work ;-). What I do like about the modular building line, is that it is not race against size, and instead of looking always bigger and bigger, all of them has very distinctive look and features.

Cheers

Wakwak

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My only complaint about modulars is what to do with them afterwards! They're big, so they take up lots of limited display space, and they're also such interesting/complex builds that I don't have the heart to take them apart and put them into storage. And I haven't even yet tracked down a café corner or green grocer.

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I prefer GE: You get 40% more frontage plus lots of cool features: The 'shop' sign, the 45 degree corner, the chandelier, escalators, sky light, billboard, green domes, revolving door, mosaic and easy internal access for play. By comparison the PS has fewer outstanding features and the interior is cramped. I like the blue Petshop half but I'm not so keen on the brown town house: The 2 stud overhang on the top floor just doesn't look right. You can't close the front door from the outside. And the wall light on the roof patio should clearly be on the other side of the door. Just makes no sense having it crammed into the corner behind the door. Overall PS is still a great set but the GE is way better.

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