Review: LEGO 42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion

December 26, 2023 | 8

2023 was a transformative year for LEGO Friends, with an incredibly well-received reboot to the 10-year old theme, and now in 2024, LEGO Friends is set to take it up a whole notch with 42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion.

At 2,275-pieces, a huge pricetag and with a 14+ age rating (the highest ever for LEGO Friends), 42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion signals a maturing of the LEGO Friends theme, and aspires to reach beyond the traditional confines of the theme that has predominantly catered to young girls.

To make a statement and announce its arrival to a more mature audience (in the same vein as 41757 Botanical Garden), the LEGO Friends theme have come up with an architecturally modern mansion for Andrea, who is now a pop star and living it up in the hills overlooking Heartlake City.

In many ways, this set is a celebration of LEGO Friends, both old and new and in some ways, is a great metaphor of the long-lasting success of the theme – so what better way to celebrate how far LEGO Friends has come than by throwing a massive party at an opulent mansion?

Let’s take a closer look at 42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion, which is the flagship LEGO release of 1 January 2024, and will only be available on LEGO.com or your local LEGO Store.

Who is this set for? LEGO fans seeking a never-before-seen mansion with modern architecture and one of the best examples of colour use in a LEGO set. Longtime LEGO Friends fans who want to celebrate a reunion of the original cast

Special thanks to the LEGO Group for sending this set for review.

42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion Set Details

Set Name: Andrea’s Modern Mansion
Set number: 42639
Pieces: 2,275
Minidolls: 11 (Imani, Ji-Won, Andrea, Emma, Olivia, Stephanie, Mia, Autumn, Leo, Paisley)
Retail Price:  US$199.99 / AU$349.99 / £169.99 / €199,99 / CAD$259.99
Theme: Friends
Release Date: 1 January 2024
Availability: LEGO.com/LEGO Store exclusive
Set Designers: Wes Talbott (@wes_talbott), Anne Godsk (@AnneGodsk)

42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion Minidolls

One of the chief drawcards of Andrea’s Modern Mansion is the incredible minidoll lineup – we get a whopping 11 minidolls, the most ever in a Friends set.

From left to right, we have Leo, Paisley, Autumn, Mia, Ji-Won, Imani, Andrea, Olivia, Emma and Stephanie, representing 2 different eras of LEGO Friends.

First up, let’s take a look at Andrea’s family. We’re introduced to her partner, Ji-Won, and their daughter Imani.

We learned from the LEGO Friends Design team that Ji-Won is Korean, and is inspired by K-POP (Korean Popstars) Stars, which you can see in his sense of fashion, and immaculately styled hair.

It’s also wonderful to learn that Andrea has a daughter as well, Imani! She’s clearly much younger than Autumn, suggesting that Mia had her quite early on.

Here’s a look at their back prints.

Three of the new Friends characters are included in the set, Leo, the sporty chef, Paisley the shy but incredibly talented singer, and Autumn, who loves animals (just like her mum Mia) and has a limb difference which makes her stand out as a beacon of representation in minidoll form.

This set is designed to be a bridge between generations, as Autumn tags along with her mum Mia to attend the Friends reunion party, and has brought along her friends Paisley and Leo.

Here’s a look at their minidolls from the back. I always love seeing pockets moulded on their pants, and also the diversity of fashion options – Leo with his baggy cargo shorts, Paisley’s flared trousers, and Autumn’s rugged shorts.

The main highlight of the set however, is the inclusion of all 5 of the original Friends main characters, now adults and living all sorts of interesting lives and careers!

We get Olivia, Andrea, Stephanie, Mia and Emma who are all dressed to the nines! Interestingly, this is the very first time we’ve gotten all 5 girls in a retail set! Technically, all 5 girls have appeared in 4002022 10 Years of Friendship, the 2022 LEGO Employee Gift.

Previously, we’ve gotten adult Mia in 41730 Autumn’s House and Stephanie has made an appearance in 41748 Heartlake City Community Centre, but first we’ve gotten adult Andrea and Emma. Olivia will also make an appearance in 42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket which releases on 1 January 2024 as well.

The adult version minidoll designs are excellent, and I have to say, Emma’s outfit is my favourite and I just love her coral pleated skirt, and Stephanie’s pants suit is very #girlboss.

Here’s a look at the back of their torsos.

For longtime Friends fans, it’s something quite special to have all 5 original girls included in the set as adults. To illustrate just how far they’ve come, check out this comparison with the original minidolls (pre-soft reboot where their appearances were altered slightly).

And here’s a look at the most recent OG LEGO Friends minidolls, and how they stack up against their adult versions!

For LEGO Friends fans, the minidoll lineup is exceptional, and I love that we get all 5 of the original girls reunited as adults.

There will also be a TV Special covering this reunion, so look out for it on Netflix, or Youtube!

Here’s a look at the sticker sheet – it isn’t as large as I was expecting for a Friends set this size, but there are some lovely easter eggs contained here.

42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion Completed Model

Here’s the completed model which was an absolute joy to build. It’s quite rare to get large-scale residential buildings in LEGO and even rarer to get a modern and contemporary design like this.

Andrea’s Modern Mansion is a 3-storey mansion, with a T-shaped design, with a long horizontal upper level, open-space 1st floor and an underground garage level that’s built into the cliff-space.

It has a playful sense of outlandish luxury, and strikes a fine balance between being a realistic believable design, and something that young girls dream up when they imagine what their homes could look like if they become popstars.

I’m not being hyperbolic, but this is a fantastic build, and I really enjoyed the entire build process. As this is a 14+ set, the build techniques are advanced, but not too overly complicated or technical that you’d expect from an 18+ set, so even younger builders can help out, although some sections will invariably need the support of an older or more experienced builder.

If you enjoy building houses or modern architecture, or mostly buy 18+ LEGO Icons sets, this is a blast to build and you’ll definitely enjoy the process from end to end.

One of the defining features of the home is this massive waterfall on the side and is flanked by two tall palm trees, which give off a very Malibu vibe.

The Palm Tree designs are achieved thanks to the Big Fern, a new botanical element introduced in this set. The Big Fern was conceived by Design Master Wes Talbott and Element Designer Sophie Rolshoven, and is an obvious extension to the original LEGO Fern which made its debut in 10316 Rivendell which coincidentally, Wes also worked on!

Check out this reflection on these new elements from Wes Talbott which he shared on Instagram.

Here’s a comparison between the Big Fern and regular LEGO fern!

Andrea’s Modern Mansion employs a fascinating design, with a curved central pillar that’s half glass, and half cladding with horizontal lines, flanked by two large rectangular sections on each side.

To pay homage to rainbows being a staple of Heartlake City and LEGO Friends, one of the most eye-catching features is the use of this sunset-inspired gradient across the home.

The use of colours is absolutely masterful throughout the build with a modern minimalist base, allowing the sunset gradient to be the focal point.

To accentuate the gradient, the Friends designed team pushed to recolour these garage doors, which appear in a mix of Trans-Dark Pink, Trans-Yellow and Trans-Orange, allowing the gradient effect to also extend to the glass.

Another subtle section that demonstrates fantastic use of colour is this craggly section of the hill that Andrea’s Modern Mansion is built on, where there are several large Succulent plants. The blend of colours used for these are simple, yet introduce an otherworldly botanical vibe.

Some other nice features viewable from the front is this infinity pool which is mostly exposed and allows you to see into the bottom of the pool.

It’s mostly follow, and uses some transparent panels to keep the ring float looking like its floating on the surface – a neat little optical illusion.

Here’s a look at the steps leading up to the Mansion, and a postbox which is full of fan mail for Andrea.

Look who’s at the front door – the original crew of LEGO Friends have arrived for a party and to visit Andrea’s new mansion! Let’s welcome them in and give them a tour of the insides!

Here’s a look at the back, which in classic Friends fashion has an open back dollhouse design.

The dollhouse format gives you theoretical easy access to the interiors.

With all the real estate a mansion affords, there are plenty of zones and living spaces made possible, and nearly every square inch is utilised well.

As you walk in through the main entrance, you’re greeted by the pool and a lounge chair to your right. I really like the printed bottle of sunscreen! Never forget SPF!

There’a a small corridor that you pass through where you can access the elevator (more on that later), and there’s a kitchenette with some really nice mint shelves, and an attractive pink and teal tiling.

You then walk into a pretty cavernous room, with a raised hardwood floor stage with a very ornate and beautiful white grand piano for Andrea to play and practice on.

You can then walk outside to a large balcony which is suitable for parties and drinks. There’s a small table with cocktail glasses and macarons.

Just to reinforce the fact that Andrea is an absolute baller, she also has a jacuzzi that extends beyond the house, so you can enjoy a nice spa while suspended in the air.

One of the main playable features is the elevator which gets you from floor to floor. No walking up stairs like a pleb, if you’re rich, even you can defy the laws of gravity!

I like the bubble lift which allows you to see the Elevator go up and down from the outside, however there’s one small annoying flaw with the lift and it’s that it’s really hard to access.

The base is also completely flat, with no studs to affix minidolls, which means they’ll often topple over when you pop them in, or as the elevators move up and down.

The elevator is controlled via this knob at the top of the central pillar, which has some solar panels on it!

Going up one level, we have a look at Andrea’s room, which has a large, very bougie bed in the middle of the room, and is positioned at an angle.

There’s a really cool lamp, and a vanity in one corner of the room.

There’s also a large pot with a plant, and a green bird perched on one of the branches. While it might seem like it’s quite eccentric to have a bird in the middle of your master bedroom… Andrea does have a thing for pet birds as she used to own a magenta bird in 41449 Andrea’s Family House.

Just hope it doesn’t fly around and poop all over the place!

Next, we have Imani’s Room, where she has her own bed, with a starry-themed blanket, some shelves with paraphernalia. On her desk, there’s a cute drawing of a god – there’s no dog in the house, so she might be manifesting one!

There’s also a toilet next to her room. One thing that doesn’t quite make sense about Andrea’s massive mansion is the lack of toilets. You’d think the master bedroom would have its own lavish bathroom! But nope, they’re all left to share the one next to Imani’s room!

Connecting the rooms in the hallway are a wall of memories and photographs, which feature some family moments, what looks like Imani as a newborn, as well as some other friends featured such as Stephanie, and Emma.

There’s a girl with braids on her fringe that I’m not 100% sure who the identity is, but there does seem to be a connection to Emma!

I’m a big fan of the tiling here too!

Now let’s take a look at the rooftop which also has plenty of space for activities. On the right is a koi pond which falls over the edge. There are some printed koi tiles and also lotus blooms on the surface, and the use of the pill tiles for rocks.

There’s also an area for wellnedd and yoga. Paisley is here watching some online yoga tutorials and in the middle of a planche!

And on the other end is a massive outdoor entertaining area, with 2 large sofas, a glass table, fireplace and even a karaoke machine! The large black pot is also a very nice decorative feature.

This is where you party when you want to show off the commanding views from Heartlake City’s equivalent of Beverly Hills.

And the last but most interesting section of the house is the basement. There’s a music studio here, where Andrea works on her next hit.

I really like the music production software, complete with different audio tracks, and the audio signature, as well as a huge control panel with all manner of buttons and knobs for mixing tracks.

There’s an award on a shelf, as well as some fan mail, and a platinum award plaque with her name on it in the corner.

It wouldn’t be a LEGO Friends house without some secrets – in this case the music production studio pulls out to reveal a bed! Perfect for sleepovers!

Or I guess a place for Ji-Won to sleep if he gets into trouble!

And now, to one of the coolest features of Andrea’s Modern Mansion – the garage and car!

The garage has a working function that allows you to “launch” the car out when opening the garage doors, which is really fun and incorporates some sense of movement and dynamism into what is an otherwise static build.

Check it out in action here!

And last but not least, one of the most interesting aspects of the set, Andrea’s Sports Car!

This 6-wide vehicle is seriously eye-catching thanks to its teal, coral and trans-dark pink windshield and sleek, aerodynamic design.

I was NOT expecting LEGO Friends to deliver such a cool vehicle design, with luscious curves, interesting lines and a futuristic vibe that just feels so alien, yet believable at the same time.

Here’s a look at the inside, which has a box of baked treats for the party! I really love the effect of that black grille and the coral studs beneath.

This is Wes Talbott’s first LEGO car, and I think this is a tremendous effort that will make Speed Champions and automotive fans take notice. There are some great ideas employed here that I’ve never seen from a LEGO vehicle, and the colour-scheme evokes that gaudy sense of success you expect from superstars, yet still feels like it belongs in Heartlake City.

When you compare it to 3183 Stephanie’s Cool Convertible (coincidentally, one of the first reviews on the blog from 2012), you can see just how far LEGO Friends car design has developed in the span of 11 years.

Comparing Andrea’s Modern Mansion to other buildings

Andrea’s Modern Mansion looks great as a standalone set, but when you line it up against some of its other contemporaries, the set truly shines as a beacon of innovation and something that will be guaranteed to turn heads.

Here’s the Modern Mansion side by side with 41748 Heartlake City Community Center, another Wes Talbott Friends design. Rainbows and gradients are defining features of both builds, but I really like the darker gradient compared against the brighter more pastel Community Center.

And here it is side by side with the 10326 Modular Natural History Museum, which really showcases just how modern and forward-thinking the Modern Mansion is, compared to a more traditional modular.

I really appreciate the stark difference between both builds, and granted, the Modern Mansion is geared as a playset than one building on a streetscape, but the bold colours, unorthodox lines and how modern it looks really establishes Andrea’s Modern Mansion as its own thing, and in my opinion, has the capability to go toe to toe designwise with any Modular Building.

What I liked:

• A grownup and mature take on Friends that still retains its DNA
• A fun, interesting build that will suit more advanced builders, yet is approachable enough for confident kids to take on
• A masterclass of LEGO colour combinations
• Reunion of 5 original Friends as adults
• The car and garage functions are super fun

What I didn’t like: 

• Some interiors like the lifts are hard to access and dark
• Feels quite expensive for a Friends set which might be a barrier to entry

Final Thoughts:

42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion represents a quantum leap for the LEGO Friends theme, and is the flagship model that firmly announces the theme’s evolution that led to its current era.

This modern architectural marvel is just a stunning showcase of colour theory amidst a blend of sharp lines that deliver a unique silhouette that’s unlike anything that LEGO have ever put out to the market, which is a huge drawcard for those that appreciate novelty and innovation.

For longtime LEGO Friends fans, the inclusion of the original 5 Friends main characters as the centerpiece of the set is a huge bonus and adds to the significance of this set beyond just being an attractive architectural model.

Removing the minidoll factor, which might be the one factor that might dissuade LEGO fans to give this set a try, this is a really good set, and the aesthetic value of its facade is further enhanced when you compare it to buildings from LEGO’s Modular series.

It’s exceedingly rare for LEGO to deliver a modern architectural build that’s in minifig-scale, and outside of LEGO City, I cannot imagine a structure like this existing at this scale and complexity, so it’s commendable for LEGO to take a huge risk like this through LEGO Friends.

Despite the set’s efforts to appeal to an older audience and more discerning type of LEGO builder, it retains plenty of signature Friends features, with detailed interiors, a toilet, stories told through stickers, and of course, a pleasing palate of vibrant colour everywhere you look.

In terms of flaws, I think that this set being a LEGO.com/LEGO Store exclusive will hurt its accessibility as the pricetag will be seen as a stumbling block to the takeup of the set. Fans and buyers of LEGO Friends have been accustomed to picking up sets from the theme when retailers almost always discount them, which has formed a psychological price point in most people’s heads, so I think the set’s US$199.99 will be a big ask.

That said, if you’re patient, I think LEGO will inevitably discount it and at 20% or more, this will make for a great experience, plus if you’re unable to ever acknowledge minidolls as part of LEGO’s heritage, you can always swap them out for minifigures needing a swanky, ritzy mansion to call home.

As a longtime fan of LEGO Friends, I’m really happy that a set like this exists, delivering cutting edge architectural design and a masterclass of LEGO colour that continues to push the envelope of what fans can expect from LEGO Friends.

Build [4] – A really fun build that isn’t too technical and complicated, but still engaging and enjoyable
Real Value [3] – Without the discount that Friends sets typically get, it’s a hard sell at full price
Innovation [5] – An Architecturally bold move from Friends and a design that’s without any peers
Coolness [4] – A jaw-dropping display with an incredible showcase of colour that’s sleek and contemporary
Keepability [4] – This is a flagship LEGO Friends set and worthy of display either on its own, or alongside other Friends sets

Rating and score: 4/5 ★★★★☆

Thanks for reading my review of 42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion!

42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion will be available from 1 January 2024 exclusively from LEGO.com, or your local LEGO store.

If you plan on purchasing 42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion please consider using the affiliate links found in the post to support the blog, as I may receive a small commission with each purchase.

What do you think of Andrea’s Modern Mansion and how does it stack up against other complex LEGO buildings?

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