How many pieces does set 21033 Chicago have?

The set contains 444 pieces across 81 unique parts and includes no minifigures.

Which buildings does the model show?

It depicts Chicago's riverside skyline, with the Willis Tower as the tallest and most recognisable structure.

Is Chicago 21033 a display model or a play set?

It is designed purely as a display piece with no play functions, suited to a shelf or desk.

Skylines

Chicago

Chicago 21033 belongs to the LEGO® Architecture Skyline Collection, turning the city's riverside skyline into a set of abstracted towers on a single base plate. There are no minifigures here, since the model is built purely as a display piece. At 444 pieces, it is one of the more compact skyline sets in the range.

Set number: 21033
Year: 2017
Pieces: 444
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Skylines
Different parts: 81

What can I build with it?

View the official building instructions at LEGO® ↗

Parts list 81

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (17)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Description

A skyline along the river

The set recreates the familiar view of downtown Chicago from along the river, with the Willis Tower standing tallest among a cluster of smaller towers at varying heights. Rather than modelling individual windows, the design relies on abstracted shapes and proportions that read clearly as skyscrapers from a distance. That simplified style is a hallmark of the Architecture range, and it means the skyline is recognisable at a glance even to someone who has never visited the city.

How the model is built

With 444 pieces across 81 unique parts, Chicago sits on the smaller end of the Skyline Collection, which makes it a realistic afternoon build rather than a multi-day project. Construction starts with the named base plate, then each tower is built upward in its own short sequence before being placed on the base. Stacked tiles and narrow column pieces give the towers their straight, vertical edges, echoing the glass-and-steel look of real high-rise architecture.

Colours and parts

Black, red, light bluish grey and transparent brown cover steel framing, brick sections and glazed facades across the different towers, giving each building its own identity within a fairly restrained palette. The transparent pieces are what suggest reflective glass fronts without tipping the whole model into bright, toy-like colours. The parts list on this page covers all 81 unique elements, useful for anyone hunting down specific column or facade pieces for their own architectural builds.

Who it suits

Chicago appeals to Architecture range collectors, skyline enthusiasts and anyone with a personal connection to the city, whether through travel or residence. With no minifigures or play features, it is built purely for display and sits comfortably on a shelf or desk without needing much space. The modest part count also makes it a sensible starting point in the Skyline Collection before moving on to larger builds such as New York or London.

FAQ

How many pieces does set 21033 Chicago have?: The set contains 444 pieces across 81 unique parts and includes no minifigures.
Which buildings does the model show?: It depicts Chicago's riverside skyline, with the Willis Tower as the tallest and most recognisable structure.
Is Chicago 21033 a display model or a play set?: It is designed purely as a display piece with no play functions, suited to a shelf or desk.