Off the wall

Legosajak does some great work. Showing the true potential of the design. While I've followed his example by simply expanding the GE and TH, I've also gone down the other road. I bought one each of PR and DO. I built them according to the instructions. Then, I put them in my city. After building per instructions and reviewing the instruction book and parts list, I bought two more of each and treated them like parts packs. My three story PR and cooking school is done. Now, I've competed a three story pool hall with three pool tables on the first floor, an area for darts on the second floor and a bar on the third floor.....so the drunks can fall down the stairs. Been there ,done that. I'm currently working on a three story detective agency. The detective takes the entire second floor. Half the first floor is the barber shop and the other half is a starbucks (stickers ordered from eBay). The third floor will probably be an apartment for the detective. On this building, I've recessed the design about twenty studs deep and eight wide in the middle where there will be an open area with plants. The entrance to the coffee shop and barber shop will also be in this area. The stairs for the top two stories will be on the outside back of the building. This one is taking some time. Fortunately, I've accumulated a modest parts inventory from the multiple GEs and THs that I bought. Not all of the colors are what I want, but I don't feel like making and more PAB orders. I know. Flickr. Someday

Thanks, talos.

Agree. What's surprised me on the Lego.com website is the response to my review. Anytime I leave an evaluation of less than five for a product, I usually get hammered by Lego apologists. I gave the DO a '3'. I'm surprised because the response is running about 50-50 between thumbs up and thumbs down for my review.

Not to worry. Many of us Americans would also like to see a more balanced selection process. :-)

Thanks for the update. Probably only three. Huh. I guess sitting around the TLG corporate office thinking up those cookie prohibition story lines takes up all of the designers time and resources.

TLG's response to a review on Lego.com. I offer it without comment for your review. Oh, I have a lot to say, but....... Response from LEGO:By Jordan - Core Product Specialist, Consumer Services, January 13, 2015 I am sorry the Detective's Office did not meet the expectations that the modular series has set for you. I am glad to hear that the interior detail was exceptional but that the color scheme did not appeal. While the storyline might not necessarily appeal to every builder a story has existed with every set as it is these stories that drive the designers to create them. Like the designers, builders can create their own stories to complement each of their sets.

Yes! I can only speak for myself, but it would be a first day buy for me. And, judging by the comments of others, I'm not alone. Lego needs to manufacture this!

This one needs to be submitted to Lego ideas. Unlike the official Lego modular buildings, I could be happy with one copy of your house since it needs no modification and is complete as is.

I've built a couple of Victorian style houses. Each 16 wide. There are instructions on eBay for Victorian houses. Mine used parts from the Lego Haunted House. However, that set isn't a necessity for building a nice Victorian. The instructions are relatively inexpensive and the parts are easy to get or easy to substitute.

Every aspect of it is perfection. Well done!

^ I'm struggling to find a connection between this and modulars.

Agree 100%. The only use I have for the last two modulars is using them as a starting point. In doing that, I'm left with hundreds of parts that I'll never have any use for. Stuff like the parts from the artists studio in the PR and the cookies in the DO (far from an all inclusive list of useless parts).

Much better. When expanding the pool hall to 32 wide, I decided to go with just one door that's centered in the middle. I replaced the newspaper box with an ATM. I'd also just center 'Al's' on the sign. Looks good....especially the expanded upper levels of the blue building. Nice work.

Point well taken. And since neither one of us has the facts (sales numbers, repeat purchasers, etc), one theory is as good as the next. :-)

Maybe. But, if you've ever had something like golf or classic cars as a hobby, this Lego stuff is totally minor league. Collecting modulars, if I have to buy four DOs to get what I want.....well, it's only a one a year occurrence. As far as the future goes, I'm pretty much planning on having to buy multiple copies of future releases to get what I want. Good strategy on TLGs part.

The width of the blue building is not that appealing. Take out the 'alley' and expand it? I took two DO sets and several hundred parts left over from GE and expanded the pool hall to 32 wide and three stories. That leaves me with a lot of the masonry type bricks and blue bricks to work on a new detective office and barber shop. My pool hall has three tables on the first floor as I was able to piece a third table together with some old parts....although the felt on the table is brown. I suppose I really needed to get motivated and get a picture hosting service. Still finishing out the pool hall interior. Big screen TVs are on the wall but I need to build the bar.

I'm really not sure where this will wind up. I've bought three sets for this. Looks like I can do the pool hall/game emporium on a 32 plate with three floors. I'm using a lot of the yellowish bricks that I have left over from my GE expansion. I'll probably do another 32 wide with the detectives office and a barber shop. Still don't plan on using any blue bricks. This is definitely a work in progress. I am adding a few pieces from the storage bin as I go. I'll be glad to send you a pic when I get a little farther along.

I don't think anyone is 'moaning". Just stating opinions and preferences. The crtiques started when the first images were released. I bought it because I collect modulars and can modify it as I see fit, not because I'm wild about the design and size. It's not like I opened the box and was suddenly surprised by what I saw. I knew what I was buying, warts and all. Some just have a more critical eye or different tastes. Not everything TLG does is 'awesome'. Those who like the DO 'as is' shouldn't need their opinion validated by others. If you like the DO as is, great. Enjoy it. For some of us, the fun will be creating exactly what we want out of the basis that was provided by the Lego designer.

Just got back from the Lego store. No apparent shortage of DO there when I picked up another copy of it.

I've gone to a two story 32 wide pool hall. The first floor has two pool tables, the second floor will have a bar and dart boards. The third floor of the building will be the detectives office along with his residence. I'm using two sets.

I've called in a plumber and my mod will have full access to city water and sewer. The tower is gone. But, that is a good point you bring up.

Nice modification. Big improvement.

^ talos.....welcome to the expansion bandwagon. It's kind of funny, the more I dislike a modular, the more copies of it I seem to buy in my attempt to make it something that I want. Currently I have completed one DO, have the parts from two on the work bench. Edit.....think I can make what I want with only two.

I've got an additional two that I'm going to combine. First floor is all pool hall with at least two tables. Second floor is the detective agency and his residence. I have no idea what the third floor will be or how it will look as it will be 100% MOC. Barber shop and all the blue bricks go in the parts bins.

9 oz or 11 oz. Huh, that could be quite a few bricks?