Lego master recreates beloved pub
Christchurch Lego master Centuri Chan is making a scale model of the much-loved Dux de Lux pub, complete with a band playing on the famed stage and people enjoying the sunny courtyard.
Chan is making the model, which will use 10,000 bricks and take about 200 hours to complete, to display at the Christchurch Brick Show opening this weekend.
The Dux de Lux opened in the Arts Centre in 1978 and was much loved for its courtyard, microbrewery, live music and good food.
The bar has been closed since the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes but a group of people hope to raise money to restore and reopen the venue.
Chan, who has previously made Lego models of the Christ Church Cathedral, the Taj Mahal in India, and St Mark’s Square in Venice, said his latest masterpiece was a tribute to the unique Christchurch venue.
‘‘It has got a lot of history and I remember spending many a day and night there before the quakes,’’ he said.
‘‘It is a very, very iconic piece of Christchurch.
‘‘I also saw that it was in the news, with people wanting to get it up and running again.’’
He hopes to capture all the details of the building. ‘‘You want a model like this to be instantly recognisable. The spot where the bands used to play, I have got that cut away, so you can see the stage inside.
‘‘I am putting in the details that people want to see.’’
Chan was one of three co-founders of the first Christchurch Brick Show in 2012. The annual event brings together Lego enthusiasts, who display their elaborate models for thousands of visitors.
The first event was held at the University of Canterbury and had about 50 exhibitors.
‘‘We later realised the venue was way too small. We had queues of people out the door.
‘‘We didn’t realise how popular it would be.’’ Last year’s show was attended by 22,000 people and had 200 exhibitors.
‘‘It just kept growing to where it is now. It is really heartening to see.’’
The Christchurch Brick Show runs at the Christchurch Arena on Saturday and Sunday.