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I am too cheap to buy Lego, so I buy LOZ mini blocks, and this Architecture series set is a Chicago favorite: the John Hancock Center.
The John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan Avenue is a 100-story, 1,127-foot skyscraper, and LOZ turned it into a small, quick build in black bricks. I put it together in under 15 minutes. The LOZ Hancock set is no longer listed, so the button goes to a Chicago skyscraper building block set that is.
- Quick, satisfying build
- Nice desk piece for Chicago or skyscraper fans
- Comes with extra pieces and a brick remover
- Cheap compared with Lego
- Small size limits detail; it looks a bit like the Sears Tower
- Single small pieces fit loosely and pop off easily
- Not sure it is fully Lego-compatible
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
About the building
The real John Hancock Center was built under Skidmore, Owings and Merrill with chief designer Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan. When it topped out on May 6, 1968, it was the second-tallest building in the world and the tallest outside New York City.
It is home to offices, restaurants and about 700 condominiums, and it is named for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, its developer and original tenant.
The build
The kit uses black bricks, with the parking deck on the side, the dual antennas on top, and that famous X-braced look. Because it is not that big, there is only so much detail, and the sides look a little more angled than the real thing. Honestly, it reminds me a bit of the Sears Tower, but you can tell it is the Hancock.
It went together in under 15 minutes, so you do not have to be super into building blocks to enjoy it.
Brick quality
The LOZ bricks are a pretty nice facsimile of Lego, and they hold together well. I do not know if they are fully compatible with Lego, so let me know.
Some single small pieces fit loosely and come apart easily. The kit comes with a decent amount of extra pieces in case you lose some, plus a tool for removing pieces.
About the buy link
The LOZ John Hancock Center set is no longer listed on Amazon, so the button goes to a Willis Tower Chicago architecture building block set, another Chicago skyscraper build. It is a different building and brand, so check the piece count and size on the listing.
Who it is for
If you want something on your desk that shows your love of Chicago, architecture or skyscrapers, this is a fun pick. It is inexpensive and quick, and kids 6 and up can do it too, though as we know, kids eat everything.
FAQ
How long does it take to build?
I finished mine in under 15 minutes.
Are LOZ blocks compatible with Lego?
They hold together well and look like Lego, but I am not sure they are fully compatible.
Does it come with spare pieces?
Yes, a decent amount of extras plus a brick removal tool.
Is this an affiliate link?
Yes. The buttons are #ad affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra.
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