While I enjoy the LEGO Architecture series and I think some of the buildings they recreate are great, I don't often purchase the sets. This one is a bit different. The Flatiron Building is regularly $39.99 in the US. With 471 pieces, that's $0.085 per piece. This set has been discounted on Amazon.com in the US for a while, but I recently caught it at $25.60 or $0.054 per piece or roughly 36% off. I'll take it! This set was released on 2 May 2015 and can still be purchased at LEGO Shop at Home for full price.
To the build... First off, the box looks like most LEGO Architecture set boxes Here are pictures of the front and back.
The contents include a detailed instruction book with information about the actual building as well as the LEGO instructions. It also contains 5 bags of bricks and a brick separator.
The build starts with the standard base for the LEGO Architecture series with the name of the set on a tile.
Next up in the internal structure of the building. It's nothing too special and you can tell that the detail comes from the SNOT (Studs Not On Top) build to come.
The details of the building are formed by putting the various pieces on mostly 4 x 8 plates. Some translucent tiles are used as windows and then some grill pieces are used to capture the small windows on the actual building. The pictures below are the one side and then the back of the building. As you can see at the corners, the connections aren't exactly smooth. There are definitely some gaps, but I can't complain based on the size and scale of the model.
The SNOT designs continue around the building to complete the details of the building. Then some plates and bricks are placed together to capture the top of the building. The top leaves a bit to be desired in my opinion, but when I look at pictures of the building I don't tend to focus on that area so maybe that's why they didn't put a lot of detail there.
It's not a hard build. The SNOT techniques aren't too challenging, but it's just a lot of 1x1 tiles and plates to put on along with a bunch of 1x2s. From a design standpoint, I think LEGO did a good job at capturing the essence of the building. The corners are not smooth, but I think that's a challenge given the scale of this building and the curves that they are trying to replicate. In terms of price, it's not too bad in terms of price per piece, but the pieces are rather small. I don't think I would have purchased it if I didn't get it for 36% off. The build wasn't super exciting and the pieces aren't really anything out of the ordinary. Would I recommend this set to someone at the full retail price? Unless they are really into NY City or Architecture or this building, I would not. If it interests you check Amazon.com or elsewhere for discounts.