Sunday, February 21, 2021

Zhe Gao Hill Tavern QL0935 Updated - First Floor Interior!


Hello brick fans!   If you are new to my Bricks and Figs blog, welcome!  And if you aren't, welcome back!  So sorry for not posting very often, I've been building a few MOCs and Mods lately, but just haven't gotten around to posting pics of them.  That reminds me, I also need to update my other blog It's Not Lego!  Do feel free to head on over there too to see what new alt Lego sets I've acquired and built.

So today, we are returning to look at my updates to the Zhe Gao brand Hill Tavern, set number is QL0935. 

This blog post is a continuation of my Hill Tavern modifications, specifically it will look at the second floor that has been fully furnished.   If you just jumped in here randomly, you may want to check out my other blog posts first to get some context.   Here's my list of posts specifically about the Zhe Gao Hill Tavern evolution.

1. A look at the original set

2. Modular conversion

3. First floor furnished        <--- you are here

4. Second floor furnished      

5. Third Floor furnished

6. Bonus Pics (coming soon!)

 It's taken me awhile to get all the parts and pieces, but now it's all done and I'm very pleased to show you the full interiors of each floor of the Zhe Gao Hill Tavern.  

Warning!  As always, I take way too many pictures, so my apologies if you've got a slow internet connection.  Ok, let's go!



In my alt Lego town, this Hill Tavern is my first pub or tavern establishment.  With that in mind, the immediate interior update had to be the bar area.  The layout of the main floor was perfect to locate the bar into the jut-out.  In the above pic, I was supposed to just put some rudimentary bricks down to figure out the flow, but I got carried away with adding details.  This was supposed to be a planning exercise, not a building one.


For the bar area, I wanted a long counter with bar stools where patrons could sit. I also wanted a huge wall of glasses and bottles and I also wanted taps to dispense draft beers. To facilitate deliveries, I needed a back door with easy access to the bar, so it only made sense to put the door in the back corner.


Here's the first of three booths.  Two by the windows and a third one will be added to the back wall.  I thought it would be interesting to elevate the booths and entrance. BTW, the tavern owner's name is Ned.  He has various wait staff employed at one time or another.  Here Sally is letting the customers at the booth that the first drink is free, because they are still opening up.  At the counter is Bill, he is camera shy and doesn't like his picture to be taken.


And here's how the bar area turned out.  Instead of just shelves on the wall, I put the glasses into a display unit.  Got some nice liquors for the guests with deeper pockets. I also moved the taps to free up the area at the end of the counter.  I added a sink and dishwasher to rinse and wash the glasses.  Above the dishwasher is the order and payment terminal.  I added a clock to let patrons know when closing time was.  Bill turns out to be a regular.  Ellie is working today.  Fun fact, Ned doesn't drink, so that's why you always see him with a glass of water.


Tada!  The fully finished first floor, hope you like it!   I've made it a point of making sure all my modular MOC have tiled floors, it costs me more in parts, but I think it gives a cleaner look, don't you?  Here you can see all three booths. I made the booths a bit more decorative.  There's a staircase to the second floor, and underneath is a washroom.  It's late afternoon, and the construction workers decide to get together for drinks.  Luckily the open area in the middle can accommodate big groups.


Pictured above is one of several TVs located throughout the establishment.


Here's a better view of the third booth, and the door to the washroom.  Sometimes famous people will come in to have a drink.


Another look at the staircase to the second floor.  I subsequently tiled the landing. Maybe I'll update this pic later.


Those guys can get a bit loud.  Hopefully there's some music playing in the background to drown them out a bit.  


Another day, another dollar.  It's nice and peaceful in the morning before the crowds come in.  Out back, are some of the empties from the night before.  There's even an extra chair for emergency seating.  Pretty sure Bill will wander in at any moment.

So, this post is getting kinda long, so I'm going to end it here.   Hope you enjoyed the tour of the first floor bar.  If you want to see more, please visit my next post where we will see the VIP lounge on the second floor.   See you there!

BTW,  you can find the Zhe Gao QL0935 Hill Tavern set on Aliexpress by following the link below.



Thanks for visiting Bricks and Figs, and hope you can come back soon!  Bye!


AliExpress.com Product - ZHEGAO QL0935 Creator MOC Street View Series Hill Tavern Building Blocks 1367pcs Bricks Toys Sets Compatible Creator

Saturday, December 12, 2020

My Not Lego Police Station Modular MOC - Part Three


Hello and welcome back to bricksandfigs.blogspot.com, my blog about my collection of minifigures and MOCs.   In today's post, we will look at my long awaited, fully completed Police Station modular building.  I started this project back in August 2020 but didn't finish until now. Check out the initial build pics and progress updates, part one here and part two here.   Oh and before we get started, don't forget to check out my other blog its-not-lego.blogspot.com, if you get a chance.

Ok, let's get into it!  There's a look of details to look at both inside and outside, so I've broken this post into several sections, namely:  Exterior, Main Floor, Second Floor and Third Floor.   Warning! There will be a lot of pictures!

1. The Exterior


So if you've read my other previous posts about this MOC, you'll know that the police station is based off the Green Grocer modular building.  Major changes include the new red brown masonry bricks, and replacing the windows, door and signage from other building sets.  Original Green Grocer minifigures have been replaced with Police themed minifigures. 


About one third of the Police Station main floor is taken up by a garage bay which can be accessed from both front and rear.  Safety pillars and lights flank the roll-up garage door, which unfortunately doesn't roll up too well.  I think the slotted beams on both sides of the door are a bit tight.  I might have to add some lubrication or replace them altogether.  For now I will keep the roll-up doors closed.  


New windows on the second floor.


And on the third floor too.


The turret roof was raised up by one plate and the rear angle pieces were inverted to match the roof angle.  I might add a 1x6 plate to see if I can close up the gap more.


Here's an overhead shot looking down on the police station.


It's very subtle, but I redesigned the roof to accommodate the expanded depth of building.


The original Green Grocer had a small terrace on the roof but I decided not to retain it here.  I'll probably add a couple of A/C units to the roof later.


Here's the totally revamped backside of the station.  


The corner brick details found on the front of the building were carried over to the back.  The main floor extension houses a weapons room, which is accessible from the interior.  I'll have more pics of it in the main floor section.  The back walls of the second and third floors were shifted in by one stud to give it more detail.  Thought I'd have some fun with the third floor by adding the big picture windows.


The Market Street modular building provided the gates for the rear access to the garage bay and is guarded by this old school Wange police minifigure.  Time to take a look inside the police station.

The Main Floor Interior


The main floor consists of the main lobby, reception desk and one of two jail cells in the building.  Doorways lead to the weapons room and the garage bay.


A peek into the garage.



It's easier to see the main floor interior if I pull out a few walls ...


The jail cell is equipped with a cot and toilet.


Waiting area has a bench, water cooler and newspaper.  Police dog likes to make his home under the stairs.


Here's the interior wall added back in.


The jail cell.


This is the door to the weapons room. You need a special code to get in.


All the weapons are located behind another set of metal gates.   Let's go back inside and move to the second floor.

The Second Floor Interior



An interrogation room, mug shot room, staff room, second jail cell and a washroom can be found on the second floor.



The staff room includes a small kitchen, cabinets and seating area.


The hallway.


Inside the mug shot room.


The interrogation room.


Toilet and toilet paper.


Sink, faucet and mirror.   

The Third Floor Interior



The third floor consists of a surveillance room,  police captain's office, detective's room and another washroom.


If I had some stickers, I'd fill up all of the display screens with surveillance images.


The detective's office is a bit cramped but there's room for three workstations.  There's a glass wall that separates the captain's office.


Here's the glass wall removed.



Some filing cabinets in the hallway.



 

The third floor washroom.


Looking inside the detective's office.

Thanks for looking at all the pictures.  Hope you enjoyed all the little details of my Police Station moc.   Feel free to leave your comments and questions below.
Bye for now!