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LEGO Architecture sets have garnered widespread popularity among enthusiasts of all ages, captivating individuals with a passion for design, history, and iconic landmarks. These sets offer a unique blend of creativity and education, allowing builders to recreate famous structures from around the world in intricate detail. Whether it’s the towering skyscrapers of New York City, the historic landmarks of Europe, or the modern marvels of Asia, LEGO Architecture sets provide a platform for exploration and appreciation of architectural wonders. Beyond serving as captivating display pieces, these sets also serve as educational tools, offering insights into the architectural styles, engineering techniques, and cultural significance of each landmark. As a result, LEGO Architecture sets appeal not only to avid LEGO enthusiasts but also to students, architects, and anyone with an appreciation for the artistry of construction and design.
Set Details
The LEGO Architecture Taj Mahal (21056) offers builders a captivating journey into the heart of one of the world’s most renowned architectural masterpieces. With an impressive 2022 pieces, this set provides a rewarding challenge for enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’ve had the privilege of visiting the Taj Mahal first-hand, aspire to see it one day, or simply admire its elegance from afar, this set captures the essence of this iconic landmark in stunning detail. From the intricate crypt housing the tombs of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan to the majestic central chamber with its twin cenotaphs, every aspect of the Taj Mahal’s grandeur is faithfully reproduced in LEGO form. Builders will delight in recreating the monument’s monumental iwans, towering dome, graceful chhatris, and iconic minarets, each meticulously designed to evoke the splendour of the original structure. With a LEGO brick inscribed ‘Taj Mahal’ providing the finishing touch, this scale model promises to captivate and inspire viewers wherever it’s displayed, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of this symbol of eternal love and architectural wonder.
| Model Name | Taj Mahal |
| Model Number | 21056 |
| Theme | Architecture |
| Sub Themes | Landmark Series |
| Pieces | 2022 |
| RRP | $120 / £105 / €120 |
| Price per Piece | 6c / 5p / 6c |
| Minifigures | N/A |
| Minifigures Value | N/A |
| Launch Date | June 2021 |
| Current Status | Available |
| Retirement Date | (Projected) December 2024 |
Investment Potential
LEGO 21056 is a 2000+ piece stunning model of the Taj Mahal from LEGO Architecture with an RRP of $120 equating to an exceptionally low price per brick of just 6c. Launched in June 2021 and with
retirement slated for the end of this year, we look at whether this LEGO Architecture Landmark Series model will be a good investment.
| Projected 5 Yr Value | $215 / £171 / €206 |
| % Increase ($) | 80% |
| Projected Future Annual Growth | 15% |
| Theme Growth | 16% |
| Sub-Theme Growth | 16% |
Theme Analysis
LEGO Architecture has been a very productive LEGO investment theme with the retired historic sets delivering annualised growth of 16% on average and the LEGO Landmark series sub-theme is directly in line with this too. First released in 2008, the LEGO Architecture theme has now had over 50 models, the vast majority of which are now retired LEGO, the first sets being LEGO Sears Tower (21000) and LEGO John Hancock Centre (21001).
We have looked at some of the main theme sets including LEGO Farnsworth House (21009) which is now valued at almost 5x its RRP having retired 9 years ago (18% annualised growth), LEGO Robie House (21010) which has almost trebled in value in its 10 years retired (11% annualised growth), LEGO Shanghai (21039) which has seen a 50% increase in value since retiring 3 years ago (15% annualised growth) and LEGO Studio (21050) which has more than doubled its $160 RRP since retiring at the end of 2017 (15% annualised growth).
| Set Number | Set Name | Retired Date | RRP | Current Value | Total Growth | Annualised Growth |
| 21010 | Robie House | December 2013 | $200 | $588 | 194% | 11% |
| 21050 | Studio | December 2017 | $160 | $388 | 143% | 15% |
| 21039 | Shanghai | December 2020 | $60 | $93 | 55% | 15% |
| 21009 | Farnsworth House | July 2014 | $60 | $294 | 390% | 18% |
Comparable Set Analysis
The LEGO Landmark Series sub-theme within LEGO Architecture accounts for more than half of the LEGO Architecture theme with more than 30 sets now released since the aforementioned LEGO John Hanock Centre (21001) was released in 2008.
We have looked at a few more recent sets below including LEGO Louvre (21024) which has more than doubled in value in 6 years (14% annualised growth), LEGO United States Capitol Building (21030) which has seen over 60% growth in 4 years (12% annualised growth), LEGO Guggenheim Museum which has seen a 70% uplift in value since retiring in 2018 (11% annualised growth) and LEGO Trafalgar Square which has seen a 9% increase in value since retiring at the end of 2021.
| Set Number | Set Name | Retired Date | RRP | Current Value | Total Growth | Annualised Growth |
| 21030 | United States Capitol Building | December 2019 | $100 | $163 | 63% | 12% |
| 21035 | Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum | December 2018 | $80 | $137 | 71% | 11% |
| 21045 | Trafalgar Square | December 2021 | $80 | $87 | 9% | 4% |
| 21024 | Louvre | December 2017 | $60 | $134 | 123% | 14% |
Conclusion
LEGO Architecture and the Landmark Series sub theme both have strong historic performance delivering LEGO investment returns on average of 16% a year and this looks a great set to add to your collection. LEGO 21056 has had strong demand, has a low price per brick and is due to retire this year. Definitely one to add before it becomes a sold out LEGO set for good, we are projecting future growth of 15% a year and an 80% increase 5 years from now. Keep an eye out for discounts, they are not that regular on this set but 20% discounts have been seen on occasion and may well be again before retirement later this year. If not head to LEGO and purchase when there is a LEGO Insiders 2x points weekend or there are some LEGO Gifts with Purchases (GWPs) available that interest you.
Other LEGO Architecture Sets to Consider
In addition to LEGO Taj Mahal, there is one other LEGO architecture sets expected to retire in 2024 that you should definitely be considering for your LEGO investment portfolio. This is LEGO Architecture Singapore (21057), another great model this time for the LEGO Architecture Skylines sub-theme. Launched in January 2022 and coming with just over 800 pieces an RRP of just $59.99 equating to a low price per brick of just 7c, LEGO 21057 is the largest LEGO Architecture Skyline to date. The model includes Marina Bay Sands, the OCBC Centre, One Raffles Place, Lau Pa Sat food market, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay and is an extremely detailed accurate LEGO Architecture model with great LEGO investment prospects.
Looking further forward there are currently 6 LEGO Architecture sets that are expected to retire in 2025 and should be on your longer term radar. These are:
