What age is the Chicago recommended for?

This set is recommended for ages 12+.

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🏛 Skylines

Set #21033

Chicago

The LEGO Architecture Chicago set is a stunning tribute to the Windy City's iconic skyline.

Before you buy

Who it's for: Ages 12+ · Intermediate build Architecture enthusiasts and LEGO collectors
Build: 444 pieces · about 4.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Price: $39.99 list price · 9.0¢ per piece
Availability: Retired at LEGO

★★★★☆ 4.1 community rating from 264 ratings

The LEGO Architecture Chicago set is praised for its accurate representation of the city's skyline and its elegant design. Some users find the build repetitive in sections, but overall it's considered a satisfying and visually appealing display piece.

$39.99

Best Price

$35.99

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📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

The LEGO Architecture Chicago set is a stunning tribute to the Windy City's iconic skyline. Capturing the essence of Chicago's architectural marvels in brick form, this set provides a satisfying and visually striking building experience.

This set is perfect for architecture enthusiasts, Chicago natives, and LEGO collectors looking for an elegant display piece. The build is engaging without being overly complex, making it a great project for an afternoon, and the finished model is a handsome addition to any shelf or desk.

Skip this if you prefer sets with more play features or minifigures. This is purely a display model, so if you're looking for something more interactive, consider a LEGO City set or another Architecture set with a different focus.

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How does this set compare to other LEGO Architecture skyline sets in terms of detail and accuracy? What are some interesting building techniques used in this set to capture the essence of Chicago's architecture? Is this set a good value for the price, considering its piece count and display potential? How should I display this set to best showcase its features and design?

🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

🧩

444

Pieces

⏱

4.5h

Estimated Build Time

📊

Intermediate

Difficulty

📏

20cm × 22cm × 5cm

Dimensions

Build Highlights:

Recreates the iconic Chicago skyline with impressive accuracy
Uses a variety of techniques to capture the unique architectural styles of each building
Features the Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Cloud Gate, and DuSable Bridge
Creates a visually appealing display model with a cohesive color palette

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

↑ Trending up since release

Investment Grade

⏳ Retired

The LEGO Architecture Chicago set (21033) presents a moderate investment opportunity. Its retirement increases its appeal to collectors, and the Architecture theme generally holds value well due to its focus on iconic landmarks. The rising price trend indicates growing demand. However, the relatively high current price compared to its original MSRP suggests that much of its appreciation may have already occurred. Potential investors should consider the set's condition and completeness if purchasing from the secondary market. While it's unlikely to generate massive returns, it should hold its value and potentially appreciate modestly over time.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

The LEGO Architecture Chicago set offers a unique representation of a specific city skyline, distinguishing it from more generic building sets. Compared to other Architecture sets like the New York City skyline (21028), Chicago provides a different aesthetic and building experience. While sets like the LEGO Ideas Statue of Liberty (21042) offer a larger, more detailed build, the Chicago skyline provides a compact and recognizable display piece. Collectors interested in cityscapes will find this set a worthwhile addition.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count: 444
Parts cataloged in this inventory: 54 unique parts, 444 pieces

Missing a piece? Check this set piece by piece, with look-alike colors flagged and element IDs for replacements.

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 11211 2× White

Plate 3 x 3

Part #: 11212 13× Black

Plate 3 x 3

Part #: 11212 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Tile 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 14719 12× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 3 x 3 Cross

Part #: 15397 6× Black

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 15573 8× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 15573 3× Black

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 15712 2× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 18649 1× Black

Brick Sloped 45° ...

Part #: 22388 4× Tan

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 48× Black

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 36× Red

Tile Special 1 x ...

Part #: 2412b 4× White

Plate 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2420 3× White

Plate 2 x 2 Corner

Part #: 2420 3× Black

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 4× Red

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 4× Trans-Light Blue

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 1× Black

Tile 1 x 4 with G...

Part #: 2431 5× Light Bluish Gray

Brick 1 x 1 x 5 w...

Part #: 2453b 1× Yellow

Tile Round 1 x 1 ...

Part #: 25269 2× Light Bluish Gray

Brick 1 x 2

Part #: 3004 5× Yellow

Brick 1 x 1

Part #: 3005 3× Yellow

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 1× White

Plate 2 x 3

Part #: 3021 4× Black

Plate 2 x 2

Part #: 3022 6× Black

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 58× Trans-Brown

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 14× Green

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 3× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 2

Part #: 3023 14× Black

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 5× Light Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 2× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 22× Trans-Brown

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 6× Black

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 2× White

Plate 1 x 1

Part #: 3024 4× Tan

Plate 4 x 6

Part #: 3032 1× Black

Plate 2 x 8

Part #: 3034 2× Black

Tile 2 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3068b 1× Dark Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 8× Light Bluish Gray

Tile 1 x 2 with G...

Part #: 3069b 4× Red

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 5× Black

Tile 1 x 1 with G...

Part #: 3070b 5× Dark Bluish Gray

Technic Ball Joint

Part #: 32474 1× Metallic Silver

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 7× Black

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 1× Dark Bluish Gray

Plate 1 x 3

Part #: 3623 4× White

Plate 1 x 6

Part #: 3666 4× Black

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3679 1× Light Bluish Gray

Turntable 2 x 2 P...

Part #: 3680 1× Black

Plate 1 x 4

Part #: 3710 3× White

Plate 2 x 6

Part #: 3795 4× Black

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 3× Black

Plate 2 x 10

Part #: 3832 1× Green

Antenna 1 x 4 wit...

Part #: 3957b 2× White

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 4081b 1× Black

Tile 1 x 8 with G...

Part #: 4162 4× Black

Tile 1 x 8 with '...

Part #: 4162pr0002 1× Black

Plate 1 x 10

Part #: 4477 7× Black

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4733 3× Light Bluish Gray

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 4733 1× White

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 60478 4× Dark Tan

Brick Sloped 18° ...

Part #: 61409 4× White

Brick Sloped 18° ...

Part #: 61409 2× Yellow

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 4× Tan

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 6141 2× Trans-Clear

Plate Special 1 x...

Part #: 63868 4× Black

Equipment Telesco...

Part #: 64644 2× White

Tile 1 x 6 with G...

Part #: 6636 4× Black

Plate Round 1 x 1...

Part #: 85861 2× White

Brick Special 1 x...

Part #: 87087 2× White

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 87580 1× Light Bluish Gray

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 87609 1× Green

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 87609 3× Black

Bar 3L

Part #: 87994 2× White

Lipstick [Plain]

Part #: 93094 1× White

Bracket 1 x 2 - 2...

Part #: 93274 8× Red

Tile Round 1 x 1

Part #: 98138 2× Trans-Brown

Tile Round 1 x 1

Part #: 98138 2× Olive Green

Plate Special 2 x...

Part #: 99206 4× Light Bluish Gray

Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...

Part #: 99781 2× White

This set features a good selection of black and trans-brown elements, useful for architectural builds. The grille tiles add texture and detail, while the various plates provide a solid foundation for MOC builders.

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💎 Notable Parts

Trans-Brown Plate 1 x 2 (58x) $2.90

Black Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove (48x) $4.80

Red Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove (36x) $3.60

Light Bluish Gray Tile 2 x 2 Corner (12x) $1.20

Black Plate 1 x 10 (7x) $0.70

Est. BrickLink Part Value

$13.20

💡 MOC Potential

🏙 Expand the Chicago skyline with additional buildings and landmarks.

🏛 Recreate other famous Chicago landmarks at a larger scale.

🏙 Combine with other LEGO Architecture sets to create a global cityscape.

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

2 videos found

BlockTalk AI

ZIROTCA's LEGO Architecture Chicago reviews, including both a stop-motion and standard speed build, positively showcase the set's iconic landmarks like the Willis Tower and Cloud Gate. The reviewers appreciate the inclusion of Chicago's architectural staples, making it a recommended build for skyline enthusiasts.