Wow - LEGO sure has come a long way in making custom pieces over the years... Makes me feel old to say things like - "I remember when I built buildings and cars using my imagination rather than off-the-shelf highly detailed and specialized parts." It's beautiful (the old building especially with arched windows and curved awnings) but wow - very custom and limited only to specific objects - especially the cars. Takes me back - very cool!

I think GREENOFAKIND has missed something very important about imagination. Sometimes it takes imagination to use a Lego part that was in a retail set for one function and give it another.

I want to give you an example right from your post: The white arches on the top floor of the "old building" are made from a part that Lego first used as a car wheel well.

I just happen to know the designer of that "old building," which is a retail Lego set (Cafe Corner #10182 for $140), and I can guarantee you he has one of the most amazing imaginations of anyone.

Just look at the sunburst decoration at the entry way. Its made from skis meant to go on the feet of Lego people. Or take a look at the level of detail you get on the siding from very basic bricks.

Or better yet, look at everything around the Cafe Corner! Nothing else is retail Lego. It is all custom. The same group of parts can make a lighthouse, a Ferrari, a model-t or an airplane. If you search hard enough you will see the same group of parts in castles and spaceships.

No. The the thing is that sometimes a kid will make a creation out of just bricks, and that is cool. Often, only they will see what the creation is--its all in their imagination. But then, someday that kid will want everyone to see what is in their imagination. For that, they will need advanced tools. Lego provides both.

i agree with "alfredjr" what a great creation and just think how much effort it would take to come up with that in your head.