LEGO Modulars: 2025 Investing Guide & Retiring Sets
Published: 1 year ago
Last Updated: 7 months ago
LEGO Modular Buildings: Investor Guide 2025 | LEGO Icons Modulars 2025: Picks, ROI & Retirement Watchlist
If there’s one LEGO subtheme that consistently delivers for investors, it’s Modular Buildings. First launched in 2007 under the Advanced Models banner, later moving through Creator Expert and now sitting in LEGO® Icons, the series has become the crown jewel for long-term LEGO investors.
The formula has never changed: big, detailed corner or street buildings, released once a year, with each set slotting neatly next to the last. Collectors love them, casual builders love them, and investors? They’ve been laughing all the way to Brick Bank.
- 20 Modular Buildings released to date (7 in Advanced Models, 13 in Icons).
- 16 already retired.
- Retired modulars average an annualised growth rate of 17% — putting them in elite company for LEGO investing.
- Historic icons like Market Street (10190) and Café Corner (10182) now trade in the $2,500–$3,000 range from original RRPs of under $150.
Quite simply: Modulars are the long-game kings of LEGO investing.
Why Modulars Win: Historic Performance & Collector Demand
If you’re building a 2025 Modulars investment plan, here’s how we’d allocate:
- Retiring Soon (must-buys in 2025):
- Jazz Club (10312) – retires Dec 2025, projected $489 within three years.
- Boutique Hotel (10297) – retires Dec 2025, projected $508 within five years.
- New Releases (buy for long-term):
- Tudor Corner (10350) – brand new, 3,266 pieces of Tudor charm.
- Natural History Museum (10326) – the largest modular yet at 4,014 pieces.
Budget ladder:
- $230 tier: Jazz Club, Boutique Hotel, Tudor Corner.
- $300 tier: Natural History Museum.
- Entry strategy: buy 2x of each retiring set in 2025, hold at least 3–5 years.
Current Lineup (Status, Discounts, Risks)
Jazz Club (10312)
- Release: Jan 2023
- RRP: £199.99 / $229.99
- Retirement: Dec 2025
- Pieces: 2,899
- Post-retirement projections: $363 (1y), $489 (3y), $586 (5y).
The Jazz Club is classic modular LEGO with a twist. Released in January 2023, it brought music, food and tailoring into one lively corner build. The 2,899-piece set features a retro jazz hall complete with stage, pizzeria and tailor’s workshop — plus a cast of eight minifigures including a singer, drummer and saxophonist. From a design perspective, its angled façade entrance was a fresh innovation that sets it apart from squarer predecessors. That unique geometry should boost future desirability. For investors, the story is clear: this set retires in December 2025 and is projected to hit around $489 within three years of retirement. The current RRP of £199.99 / $229.99 sits in the modular sweet spot, and historical comparisons like Brick Bank and Detective’s Office show this tier delivers consistent 2x–3x growth within 5–7 years. If you only buy one modular in 2025, the Jazz Club is arguably the most urgent.
Boutique Hotel (10297)
- Release: Jan 2022
- RRP: £199.99 / $229.99
- Retirement: Dec 2025
- Pieces: 3,066
- Post-retirement projections: $327 (1y), $432 (3y), $508 (5y).
Released in January 2022, the Boutique Hotel was LEGO’s celebration of 15 years of Modular Buildings, and it shows. With elegant architecture inspired by early 20th-century European hotels, it’s one of the most stylish entries in the series. The 3,066-piece build is packed with detail: a grand lobby, guest rooms, a penthouse suite, and even a neighbouring art gallery with coffee cart. The triangular geometry makes it a display standout, breaking the traditional rectangular block form of many modulars. Investors should note its retirement in December 2025 — meaning this is the last year to grab it at RRP. With projections of $432 after three years and $508 after five, it’s expected to follow the proven growth trajectory of sets like Parisian Restaurant and Brick Bank. Given its anniversary status and unusual shape, demand should remain high long after it leaves shelves. A must-buy before year end.
Tudor Corner (10350)
- Release: Jan 2025
- RRP: £199.99 / $229.99
- Retirement: Dec 2028
- Pieces: 3,266
The Tudor Corner is the new kid on the block, and it’s a real statement piece. Released in January 2025, it marks a fresh direction for the Modular line by embracing half-timbered, medieval-inspired architecture. Three façades, a steep red roofline and a chimney-stacked silhouette make it stand out instantly among more modern neighbours like the Boutique Hotel or Jazz Club. Inside, LEGO has crammed in a haberdasher’s, a clockmaker’s workshop, a restaurant and even a snug attic flat — giving collectors four distinct businesses in one model. At 3,266 pieces, it sits at the same price band as most recent modulars, but with strong visual differentiation. For investors, the long shelf life (expected until Dec 2028) means no short-term fireworks, but it’s an excellent set to pick up steadily over the next few years. Its unique Tudor styling should help it perform above average once scarcity sets in.
Natural History Museum (10326)
- Release: Dec 2023
- RRP: £259.99 / $299.99
- Retirement: Dec 2027
- Pieces: 4,014
The Natural History Museum arrived at the tail end of 2023 and instantly made waves as the largest modular building ever released. With 4,014 pieces, it dwarfs most of its predecessors — and that sheer size alone adds to its long-term collectability. The exterior is a grand civic build, but it’s the interior that makes it legendary: a towering brachiosaurus skeleton that stretches through the atrium. For display collectors, that skeleton is a conversation piece on its own. The second floor houses astronomy and science exhibits, and the roof hides a curator’s office with skylights. This set is also packed with Easter eggs referencing other LEGO themes, which always gives it extra cachet with AFOLs. Retailing at £259.99 / $299.99, it’s pricier than most, but history shows high-RRP modulars like Assembly Square and Corner Garage still delivered great returns. With retirement slated for 2027, investors have time to build positions before this one goes extinct.
Retiring Soon Watchlist
Two sets are confirmed to retire December 2025:
- Jazz Club (10312)
- Boutique Hotel (10297)
Both sit at the £199.99 / $229.99 price point, historically one of the best-performing RRP bands for Modulars.
Historic precedent suggests these could follow the trajectory of:
- Brick Bank (10251) – RRP £119.99 / $169.99 → $644 today.
- Police Station (10278) – RRP £169.99 / $199.99, retired 2023, already 31% annualised growth.
Investor note: Unlike fast-cycling themes, Modulars enjoy steady growth post-retirement as collectors scramble to complete their streets. Buying multiples before December is a near-surefire win.
GWPs & Bundles That Add Value
One of the best ways to turbocharge modular ROI is to think beyond the box price. Serious investors rarely just buy a set at RRP and stash it — they stack deals, GWPs and VIP points to bring their effective entry cost down.
LEGO Store GWPs (Gift With Purchase)
LEGO has a long tradition of pairing Modular launches with themed giveaways. These GWPs often appreciate strongly themselves, providing a “bonus investment” alongside the main set.
- In 2022, the Vintage Taxi (40532) was offered with Boutique Hotel purchases. Today it trades around $30–$35 on the secondary market.
- In 2023, the Moving Truck (40586) was bundled with Jazz Club. That GWP now sits at around $40, meaning buyers who grabbed it effectively cut 15–20% off their entry cost on the Jazz Club.
Since GWPs are usually produced in limited numbers, they almost always appreciate in value post-retirement. Holding them sealed alongside the modular can compound your returns.
VIP Rewards & Double Points
The LEGO Insiders program is another must-use lever. Double points events effectively knock 10% off your entry price in credit, and savvy investors will often wait for these windows before picking up large-ticket items like modulars. If you’re buying multiples of retiring sets, those points add up quickly and can be recycled into discounts on future releases.
Retailer Bundles & Discounts
While LEGO.com sets the RRP, retailers such as Target, Walmart, Smyths or John Lewis occasionally run 10–25% discounts, especially during Black Friday or January sales. These deals can be stacked with LEGO’s GWPs if purchased via LEGO.com directly, or you can simply take the retailer discount and bank the margin.
Example: In late 2023, Assembly Square was widely available at 20% off through major retailers. Investors who bought at that price effectively widened their future ROI margin by hundreds of dollars per set once it retires.
Why It Matters
The difference between paying full RRP and stacking smart deals can be enormous over a portfolio of sets. Imagine buying three Boutique Hotels:
- Full price: $690.
- With a 15% discount + a $35 GWP: effective entry = $552.
That’s a saving of $138 up front, and when the set reaches $500+ post-retirement, your percentage return is significantly higher.
In short: buying smart is as important as buying the right set. Modular investors who master GWPs, VIP timing and bundles will always outpace those who don’t.
Exit Timing & Storage
Modulars aren’t quick flips. The play is 3–7 years post-retirement.
- Exit timing:
- Year 1–2: modest bump.
- Year 3–5: the sweet spot, where scarcity drives premiums.
- Year 7+: legendary sets like Market Street hit four-figure values.
- Storage:
- Modular boxes are large and heavy — keep in climate-controlled storage to avoid warping.
- Always double-box for long-term holds.
- Corners matter: crushed edges can knock 10–20% off resale.
Historic Winners & Collectability
- Market Street (10190)
- RRP £89.99 / $89.99, retired 2009.
- Current value $3,066
- Annualised growth 24%
- Café Corner (10182)
- RRP £89.99 / $139.99, retired 2009.
- Current value $2,485
- Annualised growth 21%
- Brick Bank (10251)
- RRP £119.99 / $169.99, retired 2018.
- Current value $644
- Annualised growth 23%
- Police Station (10278)
- RRP £169.99 / $199.99, retired 2023.
- Current value $294
- Annualised growth 31%
The pattern is clear: Modulars consistently appreciate, often outpacing even iconic themes like LEGO Star Wars UCS.
FAQs
Before we wrap up, here are answers to the questions every modular investor asks.
Do modulars always appreciate?
So far, almost always, yes. Across 16 retired sets, annualised growth averages 17%, with 14 of the 16 retired sets delivering 12% or better. While future returns aren’t guaranteed, demand from collectors to “complete the street” makes modulars uniquely resilient.
How many duplicates should I hold?
A common strategy: keep 2–3 sealed per retiring modular. One to sell within 2–3 years, one to hold long-term, one optional for even later (or for building).
Are damaged corners a deal-breaker?
Condition matters. Collectors pay premiums for crisp boxes. Minor shelf wear is usually fine, but crushed corners can reduce value by 10–20%. Always store carefully.
Final Thoughts
If you want steady, reliable LEGO investments, Modular Buildings are the safest long-term play.
For 2025:
- Prioritise Jazz Club (10312) and Boutique Hotel (10297) before they retire.
- Add Tudor Corner (10350) and Natural History Museum (10326) for longer-term holds.
- Maximise ROI with GWPs, VIP stacking and careful storage.
With a proven track record of 17% annualised growth and iconic status among LEGO fans, Modulars remain the blueprint investment for the serious LEGO investor or collector.
Author: Mark Ellison
Mark is a former secondary school teacher who used LEGO in STEM clubs to encourage problem-solving and teamwork. Rebuilding alongside his students reminded him how much he loved LEGO as a child, and he soon became an AFOL in his own right. His passion lies in Technic, Mindstorms, and classic educational sets that highlight LEGO’s engineering roots. Mark writes about the learning value of LEGO, the evolution of mechanical design, and why some “play-first” themes become long-term classics.
See Mark's Articles
