History : Modulars

http://brickset.com/sets/theme-Advanced-Models/subtheme-Modular-Buildings

2007 : 10182-1 Cafe Corner
2008 : 10185-1 Green Grocer
2009 : 10197-1 Fire Brigade
2010 : 10211-1 Grand Emporium
2011 : 10218-1 Pet Shop
2012 : 10224-1 Town Hall
2013 : 10232-1 Palace Cinema
2014 : 10243-1 Parisian Restaurant
2015 : 10246-1 Detective's Office
2016 : 10251-1 Brick Bank
2017 : 10255-1: Assembly Square 

When I first started seriously collecting LEGO in 2009, i was still able to see some Cafe Corners and Green Grocers on the shelf. It was going for ard $240. I looked at it but didnt getting it as i was more intent on getting my old castle ninja series. There was a saying among LEGO collectors, "Always look forward, Never look back." Never would i expect that i would learn this the hard way.

Looking back from today, after a series of beating myself over the head, regret, remorse, i'm glad i opted for the ninja series. Firstly, it was something i really liked. Secondly, this gives me a real life example of a true story i can tell to newbie fans. ALWAY LOOK FORWARD, NEVER LOOK BACK. unless you can afford and really like it.

Someone ask me to ask someone to let me have a set as they have multiples of it. however, i wish not to impose this on anyone. It would be a great gift to me.

Now that the introduction is done, lets go into the history of modulars.

Let's resolve a conflict or at least try to better understand it. Some would argue that my list above was wrong, there is no Market Street in it. Some will say that 2012 : 10230-1 Mini Modulars has Market Street, its a confirmation that Market Street is a Modular. I would say it depends on which side are you looking from. Market Street is a fan created set under the line of Factory. (Factory went on to become Cucsoo and today its called Ideas.) The idea of modular building gave birth to the series of Creator Modular Buildings.

Modulars have a large piece count of above 2000 pieces and the set will have some exclusive parts at the point of release. As the interest point of the set is on its building instead of minifig, all Modular minifig will only come with classic face so that they do not draw attention away. Total opposite of CMF which there wont be 2 minifigs with the same face. This is why Market Street isn't a Modular, even though it is what started the Modular series

2007 : 10182-1 Cafe Corner
The first in the series. Usually the first and second set of a new series will have a low production run. and depending on the response will determine the production. CMF series 1 and 2 also had a low production and it was followed by an over production in series 3 4 5.

Dark Red Slope 75 2 x 1 x 3 - Hollow Stud
Dark Bluish Gray Frog
Light Bluish Gray Container, Trash Can with 2 Cover Holders 

One of the complaints that the fans had was that lack of furnitures which resulted in the later series to be all filled.


2008 : 10185-1 Green Grocer

White Window 1 x 2 x 3 Train
Sand Green Brick, Modified 1 x 2 with Groove
Sand Green Brick 1 x 8


2009 : 10197-1 Fire Brigade

Yellow Hose, Rigid 3mm D. 19L / 15.2cm
Black Brick, Modified 1 x 4 x 1 1/3 No Studs, Curved Top
Black Cone 2 x 2 x 2 - Completely Open Stud
Black Panel 1 x 4 x 1
Black Vehicle, Steering Wheel Small, 2 Studs Diameter
Tan Minifig, Utensil Bag Messenger Pouch
Red Brick, Arch 1 x 3 x 2 Curved Top
Red Panel 1 x 4 x 1
Red Garage Roller Door Section without Handle
Red Bracket 1 x 2 - 1 x 4
Metallic Gold Minifig, Utensil Dish 3 x 3
Metallic Gold Minifig, Headgear Fire Helmet
Metallic Gold Tile 1 x 2 with Groove
Light Bluish Gray Brick, Arch 1 x 5 x 4 - Continuous Bow
Light Bluish Gray Vehicle, Grille 1 x 2 x 2 2/3 Sloping 

One of the times i remembered strongly was when Amazon still ships LEGO to Singapore, and this was on the list. You can get this set for ard 40% off its RRP.
 




2010 : 10211-1 Grand Emporium

Black Support 2 x 2 x 10 Girder Triangular Vertical - Type 3 - 3 Posts, 2 Sections 
Black Hose, Rigid 3mm D. 15L / 12cm
Tan Brick, Arch 1 x 3 x 2
Dark Green Brick, Round Corner 3 x 3 x 2 Dome Top
Dark Green Window 1 x 2 x 2 Flat Front 
Light Bluish Gray Plate, Round Corner 4 x 4 
Trans-Clear Brick, Modified 1 x 1 with Headlight 
White Slope 65 2 x 2 x 2 with Bottom Tube with Layered Dress with Medium Blue Skirt and Gold Belt Pattern 
White Plant Flower 2 x 2 Rounded - Open Stud


2011 : 10218-1 Pet Shop

Tan Window 1 x 2 x 2 2/3 with Rounded Top
Bright Green Plate, Round 1 x 1 with Flower Edge (4 Knobs)
Orange Fish 
Yellow Plant Flower Small, 4 on Sprue 
Bright Light Orange Plate, Round 1 x 1 with Flower Edge (4 Knobs)
Light Bluish Gray Brick, Arch 1 x 6 x 2 - Thick Top with Reinforced Underside 
Reddish Brown Plate, Round 1 x 1 with Flower Edge (4 Knobs) 
Sand Blue Brick, Modified 1 x 2 with Groove
Pearl Light Gray Belville Bucket with Handle Holes
White Fence Spindled 1 x 4 x 2 with 2 Studs 
White Minifig, Utensil Saucepan
 

2012 : 10224-1 Town Hall

Black Slope 75 2 x 2 x 2 Quadruple Convex
Black Minifig, Hair Female with Top Knot Bun and Forelock
Black Garage Roller Door Section with Handle
Black Dish 4 x 4 Inverted (Radar) with Clock Face Pattern
Dark Orange Brick, Modified 1 x 2 Log
Dark Orange Brick 1 x 6
Dark Orange Brick 1 x 8
Dark Orange Brick, Arch 1 x 4
Dark Orange Brick, Arch 1 x 8 x 2
Dark Orange Brick, Modified 1 x 1 with Stud on 1 Side
Light Bluish Gray Plate 6 x 24
Light Bluish Gray Minifig, Shield Triangular with Town Hall Pattern
Reddish Brown Brick, Modified 1 x 1 with Studs on 2 Sides
Reddish Brown Minifig, Hair Female Ponytail and Swept Sideways Fringe
White Torso Wedding Dress with Necklace Pattern / White Arms / Yellow Hands
White Minifig, Beard, Medium Short

There was a very strong demand for this set. There were alot of theories as to why the shortage? Some say got more ppl speculating on LEGO, investors, hoarders, flippers and whatsoever.
Let me tell you the real reason for the shortage.
Sergio512 designed Ghost buster HQ; It can be built using 1 set of Townhall and he is giving the instructions free!


GBHQ Story 
GBHQ Ideas 
GBHQ instructions 

There was a fierce struggle for stock between GB fans and Modulars fans which resulted in a strong demand for the set. 
 


2013 : 10232-1 Palace Cinema

Red Baseplate 32 x 32
Medium Blue Plate 6 x 10
Medium Blue Plate 2 x 16
Dark Tan Tile 2 x 2 with Gold Star with Brick in Center Pattern

The first modular to be priced reasonably locally.
 

2014 : 10243-1 Parisian Restaurant

Black Tile 2 x 4 with 'CHEZ ALBERT RESTAURANT' Pattern (10243)
Black Chain, 5 Links
Red Scooter - Body
Light Bluish Gray Baseplate 32 x 32
Dark Red Brick, Round 2 x 2 Dome Bottom
Olive Green Brick 1 x 8
Olive Green Brick 1 x 3
Flat Silver Minifig, Shield Round with Stud and Ring Around Edge
White Croissant
White Tile 2 x 2 with Menu Pattern (10243)




2015 : 10246-1 Detective's Office

Black Tile, Round 2 x 2 with Bottom Stud Holder with Dart Board Pattern
Dark Orange Cone 2 x 2 Truncated
Dark Green Cylinder Hemisphere 4 x 4
Dark Bluish Gray Hero Factory Fist with Axle Hole
Dark Bluish Gray Cat Tail
Bright Light Blue Door Frame 1 x 4 x 6 Type 2
Reddish Brown Baseplate 32 x 32
Medium Blue Brick 1 x 2
White Tile 2 x 2 with 'WANTED' Minifig Front and Side Mugshots Poster Pattern
Trans-Clear Glass for Window 1 x 4 x 6 with 'THE HIGHLANDER' and White Decorative Border Pattern
Trans-Clear Glass for Window 1 x 4 x 3 - Opening with 'ACE BRICKMAN PRIVATE DETECTIVE' Pattern
Torso Open Suit Jacket with White Shirt, Red Tie and Belt Pattern / Sand Blue Arms / Yellow Hands



2016 : 10251-1 Brick Bank
Latest modular.
Light Bluish Gray Minifig, Utensil Gold Ingot (Bar)  and
Light Bluish Gray Minifig, Utensil Key, Ornamented with 1 Stud
Reddish Brown Tile 2 x 2 with Portrait of Male Minifig with Gray Hair, Beard and Black Suit Pattern
Sand Blue Door Frame 1 x 4 x 6 Type 2
Sand Blue Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Groove and 1 Stud in Center (Jumper)
Sand Blue Tile, Modified 2 x 3 Pentagonal
Sand Green Window 1 x 2 x 3 Flat Front
Sand Green Window 1 x 4 x 1 2/3 with Spoked Rounded Top
Trans-Clear Glass for Window 1 x 4 x 6 with 'OPEN', 'Soap 'n' Suds' and 'Wash - Dry - Fold 24 Hour Service' Sign Pattern
Trans-Clear Glass for Window 1 x 4 x 6 with Ornate Silver Frame and Dark Green and Sand Green Oval Stained Glass Pattern
White Tile 2 x 4 with 'THE BRICK BANK TRUST PAY TO CONTEST WINNER FIVE HUNDRED STUDS' Check Pattern


2017 : 10255-1 Assembly Square
Coming modular