Roaring 20's - Lego version

This is my third Modular building (Downtown Diner and Parisian Restaurant) and I can honestly say it has been my favorite build out of any set I own. The one aspect of the set that caught my eye was the time period in which it was set in, Prohibition Era. I am no US historian, but this is the one era that I have been fascinated around. The Lego designers did a magnificent job with hiding intricate details throughout the model, while making it appropriate for younger kids. It feels as though the designers took the ime with this building to encapsulate one of the most vibrant and influential eras in US history.

What I enjoyed about the set

• While building this impressive model, I found the techniques that the designers used to make the model most amazing. For example, when constructing the first floor, they incorporated a sliding door in the Pool Hall and Barbershop, in order to smuggle in those tasty and illegal treats, which I found was really fun to build. It was also nice that they separated the first two stores in different bags, so the builder could appreciate the detail of each building.
• The various characters on display truly brought out the story of the establishment. The conspicuous characters in the Pool Hall wanted nothing more than to obtain those mysterious treats, but the Detective upstairs knows something has been going down beneath him. While getting his monthly haircut across the alleyway, a gorgeous lady mentions that somebody has been sneaking into her apartment every once and a while. He brings her up to his office, where he tries not break his silence on the crush he had on her. While that happens, her boyfriend is making the treats and putting it in the barrel underneath the alley. The storylines are endless with this scene.

What I disliked about the set

• The only negative I had about the set, and why I gave it a 3 for playability, was the amount of space to play move the figures around in. I found it very difficult to place my figures in various positions, which deterred from the likelihood of every fully playing with the set. I would have like to have the structure without the alley, to allow for a larger space to play with the magnificent building.

Would I recommend this set?

With the feedback given above, I would highly recommend building and enjoying this impressive structure. I spent quality time to reminisce on this era and notice all the details that the designers added. This set is more than a play set, it is a display piece. I have it at my house sitting on a platform in my living room, for all to bask in the glory of the best modular building. Though the set is three years old, the techniques have been used throughout the ages.