We review LEGO Architecture Trafalgar Square (#21045) which was released in June 2019.
Vital Statistics
Theme: Architecture
Name: Trafalgar Square
Item: 10245
Price: £79.99 UK/$79.99 USA
Ages: 16+
Pieces: 1,197
LEGO Website Description
Capture the essence of a historical London landmark with the LEGO® Architecture 21045 Trafalgar Square set. Named in honor of Lord Horatio Nelson following his 1805 naval victory over Napoleon, the square has since become a popular tourist attraction and preferred location for political and community gatherings. This detailed LEGO interpretation depicts the domed National Gallery complete with columned facade, Nelson’s Column flanked by 4 lions, the square’s famous fountains and 4 sculpture plinths. The sections at the rear of the National Gallery structure can be removed for access to a detailed interior with brick-built statue and paintings. Tree-lined borders, ornate lampposts, 2 London buses, 2 black cabs and a tiled baseplate depicting the square and surrounding roads complete the model. Finished with a decorative nameplate, this collectible building set delivers a highly satisfying building experience to all with an interest in architecture, travel, history and design, and makes a truly iconic centerpiece for the home or office.
• LEGO® Architecture interpretation of the real-world London landmark, Trafalgar Square.
• Features the National Gallery, Nelson’s Column flanked by 4 lions, 2 fountains, 4 sculpture plinths, 10 trees, 6 lampposts, and a tiled baseplate depicting the square and road areas complete with 2 London buses and 2 black cabs.
• The included booklet contains information about the architecture and history of each structure, as well as historical facts about Trafalgar Square and its architectural heritage. (English language only. Other languages available for download at LEGO.com/architecture).
• Includes a decorative Trafalgar Square nameplate.
• LEGO® Architecture celebrates the world of architecture through the medium of the LEGO building brick and is developed for all with an interest in travel, architecture, history and design.
• This set includes over 1,190 pieces.
• Enjoy a pleasantly challenging and rewarding building experience with this LEGO® Architecture set.
• Measures over 4” (12cm) high, 9” (24cm) wide and 7” (20cm) deep.
Review
Released in June 2019, this continues the range of LEGO Architecture sets featuring various landmarks and places from around the world. Trafalgar Square is one of my favourite locations in London and as such I had to get my hands on and review this set. I had also heard about some unusual building techniques in this set and I was intrigued.
The packaging consists of a black double thickness box which opens upwards via a flap and can be easily reused. This is the same packaging used for other Architecture and Ideas sets, and I would be happy if LEGO moved to this design for all their sets (they could also reduce the size of the box again at the same time).
Inside the Box
The set is comprised of 1,197 pieces and these are broken down into four stages with numerous bags numbered accordingly with some stages split across multiple bags. The 192 page manual features various facts about Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
The Build
The pieces in the two bags numbered 1 combine to make the base of the set measuring 24cm wide by 20cm deep, and from step 2 onwards you are building upwards to create the structure. The steps leading up to the National Gallery, away from the square, are built ingeniously using 1×2 and 1×4 panels layered on top of one another. These are supported by bricks on either side and behind, and it is surprising just how well this solution works.
The National Gallery is predominantly built sideways with some further clever use of elements, with neck brackets used to help build up the structure between the various floors of the building. I was really excited about some of the techniques being used here.
It is then back to more traditional methods of building to complete the rest of the set. Step 4 completes Trafalgar Square, and I found some of the foliage a little clumsy and repetitive, although I do not know what else could have been achieved here. The buses and taxi’s look excellent and bring the set to life.
Overall
I do not have many Architecture sets although I am impressed by the ones I do own, London, LEGO House, San Francisco and now Trafalgar Square.
This is one of my favourite sets that I have built this year, and I love the unusual techniques which go to prove that there is still so much to learn — even for a seasoned LEGO builder.
Whilst some parts of the set are inevitably repetitive, I thoroughly enjoyed building the set and learning more about Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery in the process. The square itself features all the details you would expect, including some of the roads around the square. Admiral Nelson is represented by a white nano figure on top of a column, which itself sits on a pedestal. Three of the four plinths around the square are occupied by statues, whilst the fourth plinth holds an egg! The two fountains in the centre of the square are relatively simple but are a good representation of the source material.
The National Gallery looks fantastic from the front, and the rear features three panels that can be removed to view the interior, the artwork shown uses various decorated panels to depict works of art.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this set to others, and it looks excellent when complete and on display. It is an advanced build though so I would be hesitant to give it to anyone under the recommended age of 16+.
We thank LEGO for proving this set for review. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
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