View allAll Photos Tagged legoskyscraper
My lego model of the first Penobscot Building. The prototype was erected in 1905 to the design of architects Donaldson and Meijer in the Beaux-Arts style. Next to it can be seen part of my model of the 47 story third Penobscot Building which was designed by Wirt C. Rowland in 1928.
Here is a link to a picture of the real first Penobscot Buidling.
The LEGO display at the Saginaw Castle Museum also includes a Detroit section. In addition to four Detroit skyscrapers there is my model of a Brush Park Victorian mansion with a carriage house.
The Buhl Building is in the middle and the Book Building and Tower are on the left.
I have finally been able to resume construction on my LEGO model of Detroit's Guardian Building. It took many false starts before I could get the portion of the facade seen here to fit together.
A view of the south entrance to the Penobscot Annex on West Congress Street.
The smaller structure to the left is the Savoyard Center (formerly the People's State Bank).
The Michigan LEGO User Group (MichLUG) display at the Henry Ford Museum from November 12, 2017 to January 6, 2018. As usual, the display is on the east side of the museum past the giant Allegheny locomotive.
The Michigan LEGO Users Group put up a display at the Henry Ford museum on November 16th, 2024 for the duration of the holiday season (ends early January 2025).
This image shows a trio of my LEGO creations:
1. Christopher R. Mabley mansion.
2. The Albert (formerly Griswold Building).
3. Russell Industrial Center.
Christopher Mabley founded a series of department stores named for himself during the post Civil War period and was known at the time as Detroit's Merchant Prince. One of his employees was J. L. Hudson, who later left his employ and opened his own store. Mabley's second empire mansion on Woodward Avenue was built in the 1870s and was torn down by 1910 well after Mabley himself passed away.
The Griswold Building was designed by Albert Kahn and built in 1929 as an office building. It was later converted to senior citizen housing. In 2014 the building was again converted, this time to market rate apartments, and renamed "The Albert".
The Russell Industrial Center was originally the Murray Body Corporation factory that supplied the auto bodies to Ford. My model represents the northernmost building in the over 2.2 million (204,000 m2) square feet complex. It was also designed by Albert Kahn starting in 1915 and took several years to complete. It did its part in the "Arsenal of Democracy" during the Second World War by fabricating airplane wings and other aircraft components. Note that the skylight is non-prototype, I wanted to incorporate a skylight similar to that used in parts of the Ford Highland Park factory without having to build another large model of a factory.
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To the left a partial view of a LEGO Godzilla rampaging through a block of ill-fated buildings.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
After four years of LEGO construction, my model of the Penobscot Block is complete. It includes models of the Savoyard Center, 1900 (1 foot high), original Penobscot Building, 1905 (3 feet high), Ford Building, 1909 (4 feet high), Penobscot Annex, 1913 (5.5 feet high), and the Penobscot Building, 1928 (9.5 feet to roof, 11 feet to top of spire). The entire block probably weighs on the order of 400 pounds.
The photo shows the Penobscot Block plus the Detroit Public Library main branch.
The Penobscot Block is being displayed at the Midland Center for the Arts as part of the Art of the Brick exhibit featuring the LEGO art of Nathan Sawaya (June 12 to September 2, 2010). Eighteen of J Spencer Rezkalla's microscale skyscrapers comprising his Skyline exhibit are also on display. The Michigan LEGO train club will have a train and town layout with operating LEGO trains.
This tower was designed by Adrian Smith in 1999, who later came up with skyscrapers such as the Jin Mao Tower or Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world. 7 South Dearborn, located in Chicago, would have been the highest building in the world of its time as well. Standing exactly 2000 feet or 610 meters tall, including antennas (which would have been part of the architectural design), it would have surpassed Petronas Towers by more than 150 meters. But the tower was cancelled, obviously, due to financial concerns. Nonetheless, its slender design, forced by the narrow lot, was way ahead of its time; residential buildings grew as tall in New York or Dubai a decade later. 7 South Dearborn's design cues live on in the city, though, through Trump International Hotel and Tower, which is heavily inspired by the tower's proposed facade.
The building consists of 3,526 pieces and is built in scale 1:650.
On the left is a section of my LEGO model of Detroit's Fisher Building (Version 3) compared to the version 2 on the right. Besides switching from white to tan for the aged facade, and that each floor above the 3rd floor is now 6.33 bricks high verses 6.0 bricks high, I am trying to put a little more detail into the model.
A couple of industrial buildings line the tracks on the other side of the town.
This LEGO train layout was put up by the Michigan Lego Train Club in the Family Fun Zone of the Canton Liberty Fest June 18-20, 2009.
An Emerald Night express passenger train has been added to our locomotive stable.
This LEGO train layout was put up by the Michigan Lego Train Club in the Family Fun Zone of the Canton Liberty Fest June 18-20, 2009.
Another update on the Penobscot Annex, the last of five buildings for my model of the complete Penobscot Block. The upper portion of the facade is just 2 stories from the top of the building and is about 56 inches high. The model will be about 5 feet high when complete.
This view shows the "twin tower" appearance of the west side of the building caused by the light-well, a common feature of pre-war (WWII) skyscrapers. The floor plan is 'U' shaped above the 3rd story.
The two filler buildings in the lower left cover the blank wall where the Savoyard Center will go when the Penobscot Block is assembled. The block will measure 50 x 60 inches (not counting roads).
In April 2008, I completely rebuilt my Lego model of Detroit's David Stott Building (1929) to make it more accurate. The model now has 37 floors just like the prototype. I reduced the height of each floor by 1 brick to achieve more realistic proportions. This is my 2nd tallest Lego skyscraper as of 2008.
A view looking past the Detroit Public Library and Larry and Josette's buildings toward the Penobscot block.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
A freight train speeds past the Penobscot Building and the Detroit Public Library.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
The Michigan Lego Train Club put up a large 20 x 30 foot display at the Owosso Train Festival - July 23-26, 2009.
Part of downtown Detroit on the LEGO layout with the Ford Building on the left.
My Lego model of the David Stott Building, version 2.0. It is now 7 feet 9 inches to the roof and 8 feet, 3 inches to the fop of the antenna.
Sometimes people ask me if I glue my LEGO models together. The answer is definitely no!
I built this model of Detroit's David Stott building in 2006. About three years later LEGO came out with new colors: Dark Tan and "Carmel". The original David Stott Building was designed with several bands of terra cotta ornament on the upper floors that got progressively lighter as one got closer to the top of the skyscraper. I replaced the lowest of these tan colored bands on my model with these new colors to make it closer to the original in concept. Since The LEGO Company has not seen fit to provide a larger variety of parts in these new colors I had to use a combination of them. This mottled appearance represents the fact that the real building really needs a good external cleaning. If I had glued the model together I would have been stuck with my first less accurate version.
The above picture shows the upper half of my David Stott model in my LEGO building storeroom.
My LEGO replica of the Ford building on display in the lobby of the real Ford Building in Detroit. On November 12, 2009, a party was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the building.
I got to meet the owner of the real Ford Building and his son at the party. Thomas Paglia Jr. purchased the Ford Building in a auction for mere $1 million in 1992. He restored the building and returned it to viability. The occupancy rate has been reported to be about 85% which is impressive considering the overall conditions in city.
After 22 months of off and on construction, the LEGO Guardian Building is complete. The model is 8 feet (2.46 meters) high to the roof. The building's base measures 136 x 48 LEGO studs.
The Comerica Tower looms in the foreground of the MichLTC display.
This LEGO train layout was put up by the Michigan Lego Train Club in the Family Fun Zone of the Canton Liberty Fest June 18-20, 2009.
A view of the upper stories of my Lego replica of the Griswold building. The prototype was designed by Albert Kahn in 1929. It was originally an office building and was later converted to senior apartments in circa 1980.
Update:
In 2014, the real building was revamped and renamed "The Albert". The former residents were asked to leave and the newly renovated apartments are being marketed to young professionals who can afford the $1,200 to $2,300 monthly rent.
The "historic" section of town. On the left are replicas of three building from Greenfield Village.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
The Michigan Lego Train Club holiday train layout is surrounded by artifacts of car culture at the Henry Ford Museum.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
A medical helicopter delivers a sick minifig to a high-rise hospital. The Helicopter blades are powered by a small LEGO motor.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
My buddy Jason was over and I said let's build something. After 4 hours this is where we finished. All of the black 1x2x5s were exhausted, so progress came to a hault.
My LEGO model of the Detroit's Penobscot Annex is about 65% done. Due to a 1/3 reduction in household income during this recession, I have had to be more restrained in my spending on LEGO bricks; this has significantly slowed the rate of construction.
The first 14 floors are complete with another 2 partially finished. As you can see, the middle floors are rather plain. Fortunately, the top few floors do feature some classical details. When complete at 23 stories, it will be my 4th highest LEGO skyscraper after the Fisher , David Stott and (1928) Penobscot buildings.
The Penobscot Annex is the last of the five structures that make up my model of the Penobscot Block. You can see the rest of the block in the following photo:
My LEGO model of the first Penobscot Building which measures about three feet high. The prototype was erected in 1905 to the design of architects Donaldson and Meijer in the Beaux-Arts style. This 13 story building was considered to be a skyscraper at the time of its construction but it no longer meets the definition; it is now classified as a high-rise.
Here is a link to a picture of the real first Penobscot Buidling.
My first model! 432 Park Avenue at 1:400 scale made entirely out of Lego bricks and featuring the surround buildings. Made with 1750 1x1 trans light blue tiles.
Height: 108cm
Pieces: 9681
432 Park Avenue is a residential skyscraper at 57th Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, overlooking Central Park. The 1,396-foot-tall (425.5 m) tower was developed by CIM Group and Harry B. Macklowe and designed by Rafael Vinõly. It features 125 condominiums, as well as amenities such as a private restaurant for residents. 432 Park Avenue sits on Bollionaire's Row and has some of the most expensive residences in the city, with the median unit selling for tens of millions of dollars.
This tower was designed by Adrian Smith in 1999, who later came up with skyscrapers such as the Jin Mao Tower or Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world. 7 South Dearborn, located in Chicago, would have been the highest building in the world of its time as well. Standing exactly 2000 feet or 610 meters tall, including antennas (which would have been part of the architectural design), it would have surpassed Petronas Towers by more than 150 meters. But the tower was cancelled, obviously, due to financial concerns. Nonetheless, its slender design, forced by the narrow lot, was way ahead of its time; residential buildings grew as tall in New York or Dubai a decade later. 7 South Dearborn's design cues live on in the city, though, through Trump International Hotel and Tower, which is heavily inspired by the tower's proposed facade.
The building consists of 3,526 pieces and is built in scale 1:650.
My third version of Detroit's Fisher Building nears completion. The roof of the integral Fisher Building parking garage is unfinished as is the back of the secondary tower next to it. There are also a few details here and there that need some polishing.
The model takes up a considerable space in my living room (this will not be its permanent storage location). The building's footprint measures 50 x 70 inches - 35 standard baseplates. Two of baseplates will have a gas station when I get around to building it.
2012 - Town Pavilion + City Hall mashup, LDC Kansas City MO
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The completed #LEGO #TownPavilion + City Hall model before leaving for its proper home at the #legolanddiscoverycenter
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#legodesign #legobuild #merlinmagicmaking #joblikenoother #legomodeldesigner #forwork #workflow #workprocess #portfolio #legoarchitecture #legoskyscraper #skyscraper #instalego
A people mover passes the Ford Building and approaches a station.
This LEGO train layout was put up by the Michigan Lego Train Club in the Family Fun Zone of the Canton Liberty Fest June 18-20, 2009.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
My Lego replica of the Griswold building. Note the skylights on the third floor. The prototype was designed by Albert Kahn in 1929.
Update:
In 2014, the real building was revamped and renamed "The Albert". The former residents were asked to leave and the newly renovated apartments are being marketed to young professionals who can afford the $1,200 to $2,300 monthly rent.
This image was taken after 1 day of work since the previous photo. It took a few tries to get the window and column arrangement on the 2nd floor. In case anyone was wondering, the entrance canopy on the prototype is also offset so that it covers 4 of the nine window bays rather than just the center 3.
This tower was designed by Adrian Smith in 1999, who later came up with skyscrapers such as the Jin Mao Tower or Burj Khalifa, the highest building in the world. 7 South Dearborn, located in Chicago, would have been the highest building in the world of its time as well. Standing exactly 2000 feet or 610 meters tall, including antennas (which would have been part of the architectural design), it would have surpassed Petronas Towers by more than 150 meters. But the tower was cancelled, obviously, due to financial concerns. Nonetheless, its slender design, forced by the narrow lot, was way ahead of its time; residential buildings grew as tall in New York or Dubai a decade later. 7 South Dearborn's design cues live on in the city, though, through Trump International Hotel and Tower, which is heavily inspired by the tower's proposed facade.
The building consists of 3,526 pieces and is built in scale 1:650.
From left to right along the length of the layout is a custom version of the LEGO Group's fire station set, Chris Leach's Pepsi Building, the Ford Building, Penobscot Building and the Detroit Public Library.
The MichLTC display runs from November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010 in conjunction with the LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at The Henry Ford.
People in the Michigan LEGO Users Group have built LEGO replicas of a number of Downtown skyscrapers and landmarks over the years. Other builders have constructed additional Detroit structures including Adam Tucker's model of Ford Field and the various Detroit LEGO buildings displayed at Great Lakes Crossing's LEGOLAND Discovery Center in northern Oakland County.
Almost all of the building photo's are mine. Twelve of the twenty six LEGO builds are mine as well.
Since the map only shows Detroit's downtown, it unfortunately excludes a number of other LEGO creations including my Fisher Building, Southwest side YMCA, and assorted other models, Chris's Michigan Central Station, and at least four of Peter's LEGO builds which include two Brush Park mansions, Pewabic Pottery, and old Redford St. Mary's Church. I may create a second diagram using a map of all of Detroit so I can show those LEGO models.
This is a large image, so zoom in if you want to see the map and LEGO models in detail.