Empire State Building

Name: LEGO Empire State Building 21046
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 21046

80 · HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: C20191,767 pcsHigh agreement · 90%

Expert reviews

5analyzed

Owner ratings

2.9K+

BrickScore

Highly Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"With a BrickScore of 79.8 and 2,889 owner ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5, the Empire State Building is one of the Architecture series' most celebrated sets, delivering an impressive display piece through clever construction that holds up beautifully years after its 2019 release."

Reviewers unanimously praised the Empire State Building (21046) as one of the finest entries in the Architecture series, highlighting its impressive scale, accurate proportions, and SNOT construction techniques that produce a strikingly solid finished model. Owner sentiment is equally enthusiastic, with 2,889 ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5 and 94% of LEGO buyers saying they would recommend it. The build is described as engaging and methodical rather than purely repetitive, with a satisfying sense of the real building's grandeur emerging through each stage. A minor note about one dented grill tile and the relative lack of spare grill tiles was the only consistent criticism across the feedback.

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LOVED (7)

01Impressive scale and accurate proportions that capture the grandeur of the real building
02Clever SNOT (Studs Not On Top) construction yielding a sturdy, polished finished model
03Satisfying build progression that conveys the building's height and setbacks

+4 more with Collector

CRITICIZED (3)

01Some sections can feel repetitive, particularly the window tile segments
02No spare grill tiles included; one builder received a dented tile with no replacement
03Some fans noted inconsistent scales compared to smaller Architecture sets like 21031 Burj Khalifa

Build Facts what critics report

⏱ Build time

relatively quick

🧩 Difficulty

intermediate

🎯 Audience

adults

In Their Words most-used terms across every critic review

buildingdetailstechniquesvaluescalerepetitivelackgoodbuildersdespitearchitecturespirecabssnotpartsthosevarietymodelconstructioninterestinglessmonotonousproportionsbeautifullyrealdistancecapturesyellow

What reviewers are saying

"I was delighted by this building! The assembly is very entertaining and resembles an exciting little journey of discovery."

Zusammengebaut

"What could have been a dull and boring build was actually anything but."

Brickset Reviews

Ecosystem

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum 21035 84 — The yellow cabs in the Empire State set feel less scale-appropriate than those included with the Guggenheim, where they fit better.

Architecture Skyline 21028 82 — This set represents a significant scale upgrade from the Skyline version.

21002 — The new 21046 dwarfs the original 21002. This version is significantly larger, more detailed, and at approximately 1:800 scale, represents a major upgrade in both presence and build sophistication.

21028 New York City skyline 82 — The 21046 dwarfs the similarly-scaled but more detailed 21028. While 21028 includes multiple buildings as a skyline, the 21046 is a singular focal point with superior height and presence.

🎨 Designer Rok Zgalin Kobe (named by critics)

ArchitectureInvestment Grade

By Reviewer · 2

Avg score

Zusammengebaut 🇩🇪

Expert Video Source

BUY

"I was delighted by this building! The assembly is very entertaining and resembles an exciting little journey of discovery."

Key Pros

✓The build is engaging and varied despite appearing monotonous externally
✓Faithful and accurate recreation of the original Empire State Building's architecture and proportions
✓Details like entrances and the spire are beautifully executed

Key Cons

✕The included yellow cabs feel out of place and scale-inappropriate; they appear oversized relative to the building
✕The cabs detract from the overall presentation and could be considered unnecessary

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Brickset Reviews

Editorial Source

BUY

"What could have been a dull and boring build was actually anything but."

Key Pros

✓Excellent building techniques, particularly SNOT use to mimic steel girders
✓Surprisingly enjoyable build despite size and scale; not tedious or repetitive
✓Refreshing lack of 1x1 pieces makes building pace pleasant

Key Cons

✕The mast is attached with just a 1x2 bar in a clip so it's easily knocked out of alignment
✕Yellow cabs lack variety; not the only vehicles on city roads but the set only includes one type

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Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Investment score 35

Critics discussed this set's investment case

Buy-now vs wait consensus, value drivers, exclusivity and resale outlook

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Minifigures & Standout Parts

Standout parts (per reviewers)

Metallic-Silver elements
Used for the building's spire and to represent escalators in the base, creating a realistic shimmer that matches the original building when viewed from a distance
Printed black 1×8 tile
Features the 'Empire State Building' text and is part of the Architecture series' signature charm
Tan grille tiles (Grillfliesen)
Extensively used throughout the facade to represent the building's distinctive architectural pattern
1x2 grille tiles
684 grille tiles are used throughout, primarily tan-colored; abundant parts value for MOCs.
Drum lacquered silver 1x2 cheese graters
Used for the four sets of escalators leading from the ground floor; noted as appearing only once in the build.
Drum lacquered 1x2 tiles
Used for lift doors hidden inside the central core.