Lettering in LEGO is a challenge. Although the possibilities of lettering in Roman/Latin lettering have been explored rather well, especially by LEGO train fans, it’s rare to see lettering in other scripts, such as Japanese.
Brickshelfer Sonix has changed the “HOTEL” sign in 10182 Cafe Corner to ホテル, which is how you write “Hotel” in Japanese (via Brick Town Talk):
While we’re at it, Sugegasa spells out “Nitro” (ニトロ) — a fitting name for his grill:
The “Cafe Corner neighbor” that’s been generating quite a bit of excitement lately is now available (without any notable fanfare and without a pre-order period) on LEGO Shop@Home:
Prices seem to vary by region: In Europe, it’s €89.99 (UK: £59.99); in the United States, it’s $89.99; and in Canada, it’s $130.
Cafe Corner continues to inspire the LEGO-building masses. Here’s Mark Larson‘s great “Deli Brownstone”:
(While we’re at it, don’t miss Mark’s hilarious adult-oriented series “Fabuland Housewives“.)
Here’s another great reader submission, by Rogério Ribeiro. Check out his use of the train tracks on the front of the building:
No, seriously. There’s enough stuff about 10182 Cafe Corner to dedicate a whole roundup post to this one set.
First of all, it’s where my own LEGO time has been going this past week! My brain is spinning with ideas for interiors, additions, variations, and neighborhood buildings. And I’ve always been a castle and space builder, so that says something about this set! :-D
Second, Cafe Corner designer Jamie Berard (that’s a link to his blog, for those of who unaware that he had one) has a nice Cafe Corner roundup of his own.
Finally, a couple Cafe Corner neighbors and variations by Japanese builders. Moko‘s house built with nothing but Cafe Corner, and Peachtree‘s Cafe Corner neighbor:
Here’s what greeted me when walked through the front door yesterday evening:
I’d finally ordered 10182 Cafe Corner last week, so I knew it was in the mail, but my wife understood how excited I was and set everything up so I could spend more of my time building when I got home. Yay!
Oh, and that’s why you won’t be seeing much of me around here for a couple of days. ;-)
Excitement about 10182 Cafe Corner has been building in Japan ever since it was announced that a new specialty store called Toys R Us Select will be carrying this set. As Japanese fans start to get their hands on what some are calling the best LEGO set ever, it has started showing up on blogs and displays.
mumu couldn’t wait to get his, so he just made a microscale version instead:
(Link. Via Klocki and MicroBricks.)
LEGO.com has a page dedicated to an upcoming LEGO Factory set called 10190 Market Street. The photos are still very small, but this looks like it’s going to be a gorgeous set:
According to LEGO.com, the set was designed by LEGO fan Eric Brok, and the set is modular — various components of the set are interchangeable (as demonstrated in a Flash animation), and Market Street can be integrated with 10182 Cafe Corner.
I’ll post more information as it becomes available. (EDIT: Let’s bump this to the top.)
Yay! Two days ago I came home from PoliSci and found a rather large package from Connecticut waiting for me on the doorstep! I’m still busy taking detailed pictures and writing up a review, but in the meantime enjoy this time laspe video of me building the greatest LEGO set ever. Over three hours compressed into five and a half minutes.
Remember when LEGO asked fans what kind of classic car we’d like to see in a collector’s set?
Well, LEGO Ambassador Stephen Sander announced on LUGNET (via Based on a True Story and How Many Studs to LEGOLAND?) that The LEGO Company displayed several prototypes at an event held in Frechen, Germany.
Ford Mustang:
Aston Martin:
Delorean:
(Note the fusion power thingie on the back, making this the car from Back to the Future. For licensing reasons, I doubt the production version will include this little detail, but it’s still very cool.)
Volkswagen (classic) Beetle:
Finally, here’s the text of an announcement about a completely new (potential) product line displayed at the event:
In April we will launch a big Modular Building. Product will be announced in Brick Journal March issue. What type of building would you like to see as a LEGO product? Which one of the buildings shown do you prefer?
Check out Stephen’s LUGNET announcement for links to all three pictures, but here’s my favorite, a hotel:
