LEGO Architecture’s 21052 Dubai set continues the tradition of skyline models with its remarkable design, intricate details, and stunning display quality. This LEGO Architecture Dubai creation is a true masterpiece that perfectly captures the essence of the city's iconic skyline.
LEGO Architecture has truly embraced the immersive building experience that the theme is renowned for, offering a remarkable range of buildings and landmarks that highlight the unique identity of the cities featured. The skyline series within LEGO Architecture has carved out a distinctive niche, combining the intricate build quality of larger single landmarks with a diverse, budget-friendly approach. These sets are a perfect entry point for fans captivated by this fascinating LEGO theme.
The latest additions to the skyline collection are January’s 21051 Tokyo and 21052 Dubai, marking the 11th and 12th LEGO Architecture skyline sets since the series debuted in 2016. Interestingly, early releases like 21028 New York City and 21034 London remain available, showcasing the enduring appeal of these models. Over just a few years, LEGO Architecture skylines have evolved into even more detailed and complex representations of iconic cities. The 21051 Tokyo set exemplifies the impressive design standards of 2020, while 21052 Dubai continues to captivate with its intricate details and faithful portrayal of the city's landmarks. These sets are a testament to the innovative spirit and artistic precision that define LEGO Architecture.
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LEGO Architecture made a brilliant choice by selecting Dubai for one of its skyline sets, as the city is a treasure trove of iconic and record-breaking landmarks. Dubai’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of modern architecture offers the LEGO design team endless inspiration, and 21052 Dubai perfectly encapsulates this city’s architectural ambition.
In crafting the set, the LEGO Group chose a diverse selection of buildings that not only showcase variety in design and construction but also provide a journey through Dubai’s recent architectural evolution. Each structure included represents a milestone in global architecture, making the set both visually stunning and historically significant.
The 21052 Dubai set features detailed replicas of the Emirates Towers, the Dubai Frame, the towering Burj Khalifa, and the luxurious Burj Al Arab. Additionally, it includes thoughtful nods to the Emirates Towers Dubai Metro Station and the Dubai Fountain, ensuring a comprehensive and authentic LEGO Architecture experience. This set is a must-have for fans of LEGO Architecture and those captivated by Dubai’s unique skyline.
The Emirates Towers
The Emirates Towers were among the most eagerly anticipated developments in Dubai when construction began in 1996. By the time they were completed in 2000, the Emirates Tower Office building, the taller of the two, ranked as the 22nd tallest building in the world and held the title of the tallest in Dubai until the Almas Tower surpassed it in 2008.
The smaller tower, known as the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, complements its taller counterpart. In real life, the two are connected by a retail park, which is cleverly represented in LEGO Architecture 21052 Dubai with ground-level grey bricks placed between the buildings.
The LEGO set masterfully captures everything iconic about the Emirates Towers. From the precise angles and prism-like shapes of the structures to their asymmetrical placement, every detail is thoughtfully recreated in brick form. Their inclusion in 21052 Dubai is particularly significant, as they represent the beginning of Dubai's era of groundbreaking architecture. Positioned along Sheikh Zayed Road, the twin towers were among the first large-scale, striking designs to grace this now-iconic stretch, setting the stage for the architectural marvels that followed, such as the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab.
The Dubai Frame stands as the newest landmark featured in the LEGO Architecture 21052 Dubai set, completed in 2018 at an impressive cost of 230 million AED (£48 million). According to its Wikipedia page, controversy surrounds its design, as it’s claimed that the concept’s creator, Fernando Donis, had his intellectual property misappropriated and was denied proper credit for his work.
The Dubai Frame originated from an architectural competition, with Donis’s vision aiming to complement Dubai’s skyline by framing the city’s existing architectural wonders rather than adding another towering structure. While this framing effect is challenging to replicate in the LEGO version, the set cleverly captures the simplicity of the original design using a LEGO doorframe element—a smart choice that stays true to the essence of the concept. Notably, this marks the debut of the doorframe piece in this specific color, adding an exclusive touch to the LEGO Architecture Dubai collection.
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa stands as the centerpiece of LEGO Architecture 21052 Dubai, representing not only the tallest building in Dubai but also the tallest in the world, reaching a staggering 829.8 meters. This architectural marvel has solidified Dubai’s status as a global leader in innovative, large-scale design, captivating the world since its completion.
Initially named Burj Dubai, it was renamed Burj Khalifa in 2010 to honor Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, after Abu Dhabi provided financial support to rescue Dubai from the debts incurred during its £1.15 billion construction. The skyscraper’s inclusion in this LEGO Architecture set highlights its significance as a symbol of modern engineering and design.
Interestingly, this is the second iteration of the Burj Khalifa in LEGO form, following 2016’s 21031 Burj Khalifa, later revisited in 2019 as 21055 Burj Khalifa. The 21052 Dubai skyline version takes a fresh approach, utilizing gray and trans light blue plates to emphasize the building’s distinctive windows and light-reflective surfaces, contrasting with the previous models that prioritized overall shape over detailed exterior features.
This skyline model excels in capturing the intricate levels and segmented design of the real structure, avoiding the solid, concrete-like appearance of earlier LEGO versions. Though compromises in scale are inevitable within the LEGO Architecture series, the Burj Khalifa remains a dominant and visually striking part of the 21052 Dubai set, successfully evoking the grandeur of this world-renowned skyscraper.
Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab is a standout inclusion in the LEGO Architecture 21052 Dubai set, representing one of Dubai's earliest and most iconic landmarks. Constructed on a man-made island 280 meters offshore, the Burj Al Arab hotel was a trailblazer in Dubai’s architectural evolution, predating ambitious projects like the Palm Jumeirah and the World Islands.
The island's private beach and the access bridge connecting it to the mainland are thoughtfully represented in the LEGO set with a simple 2×1 tile over a base of trans light blue tiles, effectively mimicking the surrounding water. This attention to detail exemplifies the growing trend within LEGO Architecture to integrate display bases into the overall design, enhancing both realism and aesthetic appeal.
Opened in December 1999, the Burj Al Arab quickly gained fame as "the world's first seven-star hotel," a title coined by a visiting journalist, though the hotel itself officially maintains a five-star rating. Its distinctive sail-shaped design is captured using white soft axle hoses for the curved framework, along with bar holders, candle pieces, and other clever parts that recreate the intricate exterior details. While the scale poses challenges in fully replicating the complex structure, the result remains faithful and visually striking.
A 2×2 rounded tile represents the landmark’s helipad above the 59th floor, known for hosting high-profile promotional events involving Formula 1, tennis, golf, and more. The set’s design skillfully captures these details while maintaining the balance and integrity of the skyline.
In reality, the Burj Al Arab is paired architecturally with the nearby Jumeirah Beach Hotel, a wave-shaped structure that complements the sail-inspired design. Although not included in the LEGO set, its proximity and relationship with the Burj Al Arab offer a compelling narrative of Dubai’s architectural ambition, leaving room for future creative expansions in the LEGO Architecture series.
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The LEGO Architecture 21052 Dubai Skyline set is a brilliant celebration of one of the world’s most visually striking cities. True to the spirit of the LEGO Architecture theme, this set showcases Dubai’s most iconic landmarks with impressive attention to detail, making it a must-have for both fans of architecture and LEGO enthusiasts alike.
Each structure included in the skyline—the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, Emirates Towers, and Dubai Fountain—highlights a different aspect of the city’s rich architectural history and groundbreaking designs. From the record-breaking height of the Burj Khalifa to the innovative simplicity of the Dubai Frame, this set captures the unique diversity and ambition of Dubai’s skyline.
The set’s design reflects the high standards of LEGO Architecture, blending creative part usage with an eye for scale to achieve a balance between realism and artistic representation. For example, the Burj Al Arab’s sail-like structure, the Dubai Frame’s minimalist concept, and the Emirates Towers’ sleek modernity all come together in a cohesive and visually appealing layout.
What sets the LEGO Architecture Dubai Skyline apart is its ability to encapsulate the essence of a city known for pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. Whether displayed as a standalone piece or as part of a broader LEGO Architecture collection, this set offers builders an engaging experience and a stunning model to showcase. It’s a fantastic tribute to a city that continues to inspire with its bold and visionary approach to architecture.
