Great idea - I would be a buyer of this as well.  They could use the dealership I bought my Ford at as a template - it was the same building where Al Capone used to buy his cars back in the 30s - Motor Row in Chicago.

 

 

 

Also, it would be cool if they could work in an homage to a vintage set I had as a kid:

 

6373 Motorcycle Shop

 

That set bought back some childhood memories.  The shop along with the garage were so awesome.  

WoW. Quacs, you star. Where do you find this stuff? The building looks great. All that's missing is the open lot. Top Job. Stomping

 

 

I honestly never would have known about this if I hadn't bought a Ford.  At the time, I was living in the city and while there are tons of dealerships in Chicago's suburbs, this one was the closest to my place in the city.  After buying the car, I went to the dealership to pick it up.  Since the car wasn't ready, I started looking at this coffee table book they had in the waiting area that showed all these pictures of Motor Row from back in the 20s and 30s.  I struck up a conversation with one of the salesmen who started telling me about the incredible history of the building and the neighborhood, including Mr. Capone's preferred dealerships (including the one I had been in).

 

When you brought up the car dealership idea, it immediately popped into my head since it's really from the same era of design as the modulars.

Huw of Brickset posted the first part of a review for the Parisian Restaurant!!!!

Huw of Brickset posted the first part of a review for the Parisian Restaurant!!!!

 

That has just sealed the deal for me. Stomping

That has just sealed the deal for me. Stomping

 

Couldn't agree more - this is a modular taken to the next level.  It's got exquisite facade and interior detail, an awesome color scheme, and serious displayability.  I can't wait for this to be released...

That has just sealed the deal for me. Stomping

 

 

Couldn't agree more - this is a modular taken to the next level.  It's got exquisite facade and interior detail, an awesome color scheme, and serious displayability.  I can't wait for this to be released...

 

It's pretty great, but I need to buy 3-4 Palace Cinemas before I get this thing.

lol exciter you still buying modulars for investment? Haven't you heard they will never retire? Especially if people keep buying 4 of each... Just joshin ya! Really though Chez Albert is a level above the Palace. I can't wait to build it

 

lol exciter you still buying modulars for investment? Haven't you heard they will never retire? Especially if people keep buying 4 of each... Just joshin ya! Really though Chez Albert is a level above the Palace. I can't wait to build it

 

Jamie designed the restaurant whereas Astrid's intern designed the threater. It's a experienced professional vs an upstart, nevertheless, both are just as impressive.

lol exciter you still buying modulars for investment? Haven't you heard they will never retire? Especially if people keep buying 4 of each... Just joshin ya! Really though Chez Albert is a level above the Palace. I can't wait to build it

 

Very true, my number of modular investments is waaaay below regular sets.  Actually, I've only gone 10+ deep on a handful of $100+ sets, not many.

http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Parisian-Restaurant-10243

 

It is on the website.  Listing says January 1st, 2014.  I believe it.

Also says jan 1st in my country, the Netherlands. For

  

Jamie designed the restaurant whereas Astrid's intern designed the threater. It's a experienced professional vs an upstart, nevertheless, both are just as impressive.

Yeah she designed the Town Hall, too, which I am looking forward to building soon. I enjoyed all the modulars I've built, for sure. But Jaime's designs are unparalleled. Grand Emporium, VW, Winter Cottage... If he's not a millionaire, he should be. He's probably the best asset TLG has aside from its licenses.

I think Jamie also designed the Green Grocer.  That's probably my favorite modular.

I think Jamie also designed the Green Grocer.  That's probably my favorite modular.

A personal favorite of mine too, friend.

Huw of Brickset posted the first part of a review for the Parisian Restaurant!!!!

Huw posted the second part of the Parisian Restaurant! Here is a link.

Does anyone know if this will be available prior to January 1 for VIP members?  It would be nice to get one of these before Christmas!

Does anyone know if this will be available prior to January 1 for VIP members?  It would be nice to get one of these before Christmas!

Usually the larger sets are available 15 days before they are released for VIP members.

The question is rather if it's the Maserk ship or the restaurant or both.

The question is rather if it's the Maserk ship or the restaurant or both.

Are both scheduled to be released to non-VIP customers on the same day? IMHO, that's a bad business decision. Make people look forward to one set and buy it, then do it over and over and over again.  (<-I think we use that too much! But is that such a bad thing?)

Of the two, I think the Maersk ship is going to be mine first. Not that the restaurant is bad, it's actually outstanding, but that ship...

Both of those are releasing on New Years Day...I'm definitely hoping for both on VIP mid-Dec and won't be surprised if they do.  If I have to bet, my money is on the restaurant.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/321182260748?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1

Awesome custom Bank modular. If you like that, the seller also listed a custom Emporium and a few houses. Nice work all around.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/321182260748?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1

Awesome custom Bank modular. If you like that, the seller also listed a custom Emporium and a few houses. Nice work all around.

Very nice indeed. I do not like that there are no instructions and that it will be shipped assembled.

I have all the modulars every released this one well look good between green grocer and petshop. Getting this day of release (can't wait for january 1)

http://m.ebay.com/itm/321182260748?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1

Awesome custom Bank modular. If you like that, the seller also listed a custom Emporium and a few houses. Nice work all around.

The build look nice, but I don`t like that particular colour scheme. Sand blue (it is sand blue, right?) mixed with white and green tiles. That doesn`t work too well, but the overall structure is pretty good. 

The build look nice, but I don`t like that particular colour scheme. Sand blue (it is sand blue, right?) mixed with white and green tiles. That doesn`t work too well, but the overall structure is pretty good.

Sand blue or medium blue, not precisely sure. The design is so-so but I agree not the best color scheme all around. Being a bank, maybe the builder should have stuck with a more monochromatic palette.

Maybe you guys know. (Sorry if it's been asked before)

The VIP release is on 16/12, but is it only LEGO Shop at Home or can you ordered it and get it at a Lego store?