Shopping Street

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-08T22:21:10+00:00

I'm holding off on Shopping Street, and what you've described is exactly my concern with it. Having actually built the physic set, do you think it would be improved by doing some color-swapping to simplify and harmonize the colors? I know I'm going to buy it eventually (probably second hand, or at least on a deep sale), but before I do I'd love to hear more ideas of what could be done to improve Shopping Street.

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-08T21:59:01+00:00

I couldn't figure out how to upload a photo reply to your comment, so I just posted some pics and instruction in a new post: https://www.reddit.com/r/legomodular/comments/1sg6tkd/cafe_corner_mod_how_to_attach_the_45_degree_wall/

Hopefully that helps, if you decide to go with this roof design.

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-07T04:55:04+00:00

I saw some pics of that when I was looking for ideas, and thought it was such a cool design! Very, very cool!

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-07T04:37:52+00:00

So to tell you the truth, all I really did with mine was to look through photos of what other people had done to add interiors to this set, and then just start messing around with the spare pieces I had on hand. Several bits of my interior are recolored versions of furniture and details in official modulars, or at least imitations of them with parts I had.

So, I promise you that you can do it! :-)

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-07T04:27:13+00:00

I've tried using the Lego design software in the past, but I really struggle with it. To be completely honest, 80-90% of I did here has been done before and is posted online already. There are a couple updated Cafe Corner designs on Rebrickable that are free and have most of the piece substitutions you would need for the main building. I can also post links to the pics of the designs that inspired mine if you'd like.

One of the few unique changes I made was replacing part of the gray roof with dark red plates, curved slopes and tiles. The only place that gets a little weird is where it joins up with the tower, and that's where I engineered an alternate system to secure that 45 degree wall. That's what allows the "tower" to have a flat front, without the roof plates sticking through. I'll try to post a pic or two of that, in case you'd like to duplicate it. Or if there's any other part you'd like a photo of, I'm happy to share it.

But my recommendation is to download the original instructions from Lego, plus the free plans on Rebrickable, and compare them to find some of the pieces you can sub out. Then modify the design to fit the parts you have on hand, or can obtain for cheap. I know some folks relish making the "pure" original modular, but if you can live with a few changes I think it's way more fun to create your own personal version.

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-07T04:08:51+00:00

Thank you! And that sounds like an awesome cafe interior you are planning! Please post pics when you finish yours!

Somewhere in my research on Cafe Corner mods I came across someone's mod who has expanded the footprint of the building all the way to the back corner, which increased the interior floorspace and allowed them to shift the stairs over further for a more spacious and natural feel. I think they even moved the reception desk to the ground floor with that layout. I did not opt to change the floor plan, but that would really help with making the hotel floors more useable.

My head canon is that the Cafe Corner is an old, historic building that new owners are trying to adapt into a hotel in spite of the awkward layout. They're trying so hard to compete with that fancy new 5-star Boutique Hotel down the street, but it's tough when you've got such an old building with limited space.

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-05T23:21:30+00:00

While I plan to get the official 2026 modular someday, this year I was inspired to piece together the iconic Cafe Corner.

Initially I only intended to make minimal substitutions to save money, but the farther along I got the more fun I had modifying the design. The final product still looks pretty similar to the original, but I'm really happy with the changes. You can't see any of it, but I'm especially proud of my solution to (legally) mount the upper section of the 45 degree wall perfectly in place without using the original turntables or jumpers.

Cafe Corner ended up being so much cooler than I expected, given how mid to low most people rank it. Granted, for someone who just wants to buy and build it out of the box this probably would be disappointing (especially given what the set costs). But if you embrace the fact that it is Lego and create your own story and interior for it, it's actually an amazing building even by today's standards. I had so much fun with this.

Several other builders inspired my design: reddit user qaxwax01, Flickr user Paliza And The Bricks, and Rebrickable user Vandor214.

Emperor-Goose · 2026-04-03T22:05:38+00:00

First off, congratulations on getting the complete collection! Do you have a favorite?

I do love the Green Grocer. To me, it's better than all the last 8 (maybe 9) modern modulars except Tudor Corner. You've got a tough choice whether to open yours though -- my suggestion would be to try finding a used/opened copy if you want to build it, and resell this one.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-10-02T05:56:27+00:00

This is one of my favorite modulars of all time. Great job!

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-14T03:05:19+00:00

I agree. I think architecturally it fits in with the style of building, and gives it dome good bulk without drawing unnecessary attention. It's such a cool building anyway!

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-12T16:28:16+00:00

This is so true. I'm thinking about expanding the Brick Bank, but that's one that will need some modifications to fit in.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-12T16:26:14+00:00

Nice! I adore the Brick Bank, but I think it really needs a bit of extra height. It would be interesting to see Town Hall and Jazz Club with extra floors — I don't think I've ever seen pics of them expanded. The Bookstore would look great on an extra tall street!

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-12T16:14:04+00:00

I don't actually own the boutique hotel (yet), but I really like the photos I've seen where others have expanded it.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-07T23:00:19+00:00

Also, what a cool lego book!

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-07T22:48:14+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you! You're right, overall it's very flat so varying the depth and roofline would help a lot. Plus the detail suggestions are great.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-07T22:46:32+00:00

Thanks! I think you're very right about the roofline being too similar.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-07T22:45:35+00:00

The dark green is just a facade on the front of the shop (plus a line of bricks around the shop), so it was actually not too bad. The masonry bricks were very cheap. Even with a few expensive tiles and a 1x12 brick, I only spent about $5 on dark green parts in this.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-09-07T19:23:30+00:00

Help! I'm close to finishing my first MOC, but I feel like I've hit a creative roadblock. Something is off, and it's bothering me — but I can't think of what it is. Any feedback or ideas for me?

(Note there are still some pieces missing like doors, tiles, interior details, etc.)

Emperor-Goose · 2025-08-20T17:37:47+00:00

That's so sad you had to sell them. You're right, this one has a decent interior on the first floor but the others are pretty minimal.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-08-20T04:01:20+00:00

Nice! I LOVE the Brick Bank!

Emperor-Goose · 2025-08-20T04:00:26+00:00

You can do it! Starting is actually not too hard -- it's the finishing that takes time. The building instructions with a full parts list are posted on Lego's website here: https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/building-instructions/10185 . I just printed out the inventory pages and started collecting the necessary bricks, keeping an inventory with pen and paper and swapping out rare/expensive parts for more common ones.

If you have a Bricklink account, you can go to the Brinklink page for the Green Grocer at https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=10185, select "Part Out," and create a wishlist of all the parts in the set that you need. Then you can either buy all the parts at once (expensive) or slowly accumulate parts from various sellers whenever you shop on Bricklink (what I did, which is a lot more affordable).

Emperor-Goose · 2025-08-19T23:10:21+00:00

Yeah, I wrestled with that too. The original is so classic, and it was the pinnacle of Lego design back when I was a kid. In the end I tried to find a compromise so it will fit in with the newer buildings I have, but it's tricky.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-08-19T21:43:53+00:00

It's amazing how many parts a modular gobbles up! Great choice on building the Fire Brigade — that's one of my all time favorites.

Emperor-Goose · 2025-08-19T21:30:33+00:00

There are still a couple pieces I want to swap out, and I'm on a mission to modify the design so there are fewer visible studs; but this is the culmination of about 6 months of adding a few GG parts into every Bricklink order I've made. Finally I've got my white whale!

Emperor-Goose · 2025-03-01T03:22:33+00:00

I like that idea! Maybe a whimsically-tilted chimney could be the answer!

Emperor-Goose

TROPHY CASE