Stand-alone Lego store set to open

Lego fans get ready: New Zealand’s first stand-alone Lego store opens this week.

The flagship store, on Level 3 at Westfield Newmarket, will have plenty of opportunity for shoppers to play in a custom-built interactive retail space. And there will be a few key features built in Lego that have been inspired by New Zealand including an Auckland skyline mosaic, involving

318,208 bricks and which took more than 580 hours to build, and a 3D bungee model — a Lego world-first — which took 327 hours to build and involved 40,177 bricks.

There will also be a pick-a-brick wall, build-your-own minifigure stations and Lego play tables.

Alceon and The Lego Group will open the store doors on Thursday at

9am.

Richard Facioni, Alceon Group executive director, said they were excited to unveil the store.

“We look forward to welcoming brick fans of all ages from across the country to this custom-built Lego experience.”

Scentre Group general manager leasing and retail solutions Andrew Hulls previously told the Herald the Newmarket redevelopment would bring the best local and international brands under one roof.

“We are thrilled to welcome one of the world’s most loved brands, Lego, to Westfield Newmarket and we know our customers will be too.”

The $790 million, 88,150sq m redevelopment of Westfield Newmarket is the largest of its kind in the country. The mega-mall, which is now open, will eventually have 230 shops, replacing the outdated, decades-old, inward-facing mall.