We recently reported on the upcoming LEGO® mega-release, the Eiffel Tower. If you buy it during the upcoming November 2022 Black Friday event, you also acquire an appropriately themed gift-with-purchase, Eiffel’s Apartment (40579). The LEGO® Group graciously sent me both of these sets as a pre-release review. The Eiffel Tower itself will take me a little longer to review. However, I can share my thoughts on the smaller Eiffel’s Apartment (40579) today.
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. True North Bricks’ usual rating system applies (click here for more information).
Eiffel’s Apartment Summary
- NAME: Eiffel’s Apartment
- SET #: 40579
- THEME: Gift-with Purchase
- COST: Free with the Eiffel Tower ($24.99 CAD value)
- BRICK COUNT: 228
- MINIFIGURES: 1
- RELEASE DATE: November 25, 2022
Eiffel’s Apartment Quick Review
- VALUE: 100% (It’s free, need I say more?)
- BUILD: 60% (Underwhelming design.)
- MINIFIGURES: 71% (Unremarkable design and low character count.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 60% (Good bricks to repurpose… not much else.)
- OVERALLS SCORE: 73% (Satisfactory set.)
Eiffel’s Apartment (40579) Full Review
VALUE: 100%
As a GWP, Eiffel’s Apartment automatically earns 100% in this category. After all, it represents free bricks and free build time. However, LEGO.com advertises this set with a $24.99 value in Canada. For argument’s sake, let’s say I bought this set. With 228 pieces, the cost/brick works out to $0.109. That represents a pretty good value based on our usual metrics, earning a score of 89%. Of course, given the limited run this set will see and high price point to get one, I doubt many people will get it for $24.99. In terms of build time, it took me 28 minutes to assemble. That’s $0.89/minute of build time at full price. That’s satisfactory, but certainly not great. I’d rate that at 78%. Averaging this with the cost/brick score gives an overall value of 84%, assuming you pay $24.99 for Eiffel’s Apartment.
BUILD: 60%
Eiffel’s Apartment is a corner of a room with a section of observation deck outside. A tower support strut juts diagonally out of the floor, and I have to say that is the most interesting design feature of this set. The rest is just… well… meh. You build a base, a corner wall, and a couple of furniture pieces. There’s also a mini-Eiffel Tower against one wall. The design relies heavily on stickers for detailing. I left them all off because I plan to repurpose these bricks. There is a lot of dark grey that will suit rocky landscape builds. I will say that the mini-Eiffel Tower build is clever through. I always like building sets, so I will almost always pass a set in this category. But, I’m underwhelmed by this set and give it 60%.
MINIFIGURES: 71%
Eiffel’s Apartment comes with the minifigure representation of Gustav Eiffel, the creator of the actual monument. I bet he never suspected he’d get this ultimate honor 133 years after the tower’s completion. Forget having the iconic site named after you… to be an official minifigure, now there’s an accomplishment 😉. In any case, this minifig sports a black tux with front and back torso printing. He has no leg printing, nor does he have a double-sided face. The only accessory in the set is a printed tile envelope. Based on our usual criteria, I rate this minifig at 73%. Some leg printing, maybe a top hat or something, would have helped.
One minifigure in a 228-piece kit is also not particularly impressive. Surely, Mr. Eiffel could have held a meeting with one of the other engineers involved in building the tower or something. Perhaps a lady friend to share the view with? A set this size needs at least two characters. I rate the brick/fig score at 69%. Averaging this with the minifig design score gives an overall Minifigure grade of 71%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 60%
As mentioned before, I enjoyed the build process. However, afterwards, I find myself wondering what to do with this display. It is not the same scale as the Eiffel Tower set, thus cannot be incorporated into it. Additionally, this tiny build will look silly on the floor next to the monstrous Eiffel Tower. Perhaps Eiffel or architecture buffs will gain enjoyment from it. Sadly, I do not. This set includes some bricks I find useful, so it gets points for that. Otherwise, this is a solid recycle for me. You know how some GWPs give you that “must have” feel? I don’t get that here. Of course, I never turn down free bricks. So, if I was buying the Eiffel Tower, of course it increases the value of that set to get this one too. But, again, Eiffel’s Apartment is just meh for me. It earns 60%.
OVERALL SCORE: 73%
I rated Eiffel’s Apartment as a satisfactory set because it’s a free brick box. If I rated it based on the actual retail price, it would get a merely passable score. I am not a fan of this design. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table, nor does it make me want to go out and buy something just to get it. Additionally, the Minifigure count is low, and the design relies heavily on stickers. As a GWP, it adds value to your Eiffel Tower purchase, but my interest in the kit ends there. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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