How to Build a LEGO Mall

Build the base that will be used to support the LEGO mall. Typically, large LEGO architecture is best built on a large table or platform with LEGO studs - this piece acts as the ground while still allowing LEGO pieces to secure atop it. Lay down LEGO panel pieces as a floor in the shape you wish the mall to have. Most malls are typically built as a very long wide corridor with a few side corridors for specialty stores, banks, food courts, and other shops. Once you have laid down the flooring for the mall, locate the area that will be the "front" of the mall.

Build the entrance to the mall. Builders may choose to use transparent or translucent pieces to create large windowed entrances or other interesting structures. Once the entrance is built, begin to build the walls to the mall, leaving breaks in the walls wherever you plan on building shops.

Construct shops and stores for the first floor of the mall. Make sure these stores have a wide entrance to the mall's main walkway, and integrate each store into the mall by building a floor and connected walls for continuity. Build many stores with window fronts to display the store to passersby. Build the "bar" that will act as a check-out counter in each store. If you are building clothing stores, you may wish to build small changing rooms in them. If your mall permits, construct a food court area by having a large open space connected to the mall with many check-out counters around the borders. Build any additional rooms you are planning for your mall, such as restrooms or a security room.

Add on to the body of the mall. If you have enough pieces, you may wish to construct a second floor that could be filled with stores or simply act as an elevated walkway above the main drag. Construct elevators, escalators, or any other utilities such as these. Furnish the main corridor of the mall by adding structures such as fountains, benches, vending machines, trash cans, potted plants, mall directories, vendor stalls, or even a small LEGO car on a display. Add tables and chairs to the food court area, and add handicap ramps to elevated areas if you wish.

Fill the stores and shops with merchandise. Construct shelves or raised areas and mount or set tiny LEGO items on them, and make sure to build displays. For example, you might choose to create a clothing store by setting out headless mannequins on display platforms and featuring LEGO mini-figure torsos on display to act as shirts. Add stickers or other decorations to resemble advertisements and posters. Add signs for the names of each store and direction signs to direct consumers. Add cash registers and any other small details to the stores, and add any extra details to rooms you may have overlooked, such as bathroom stalls, security camera monitors, handrails,

Populate the mall with LEGO mini-figures. Add cashiers behind the store registers, customers browsing the stores, people walking about the mall, people eating at the food courts, security guards on patrol, and other mini-figures anywhere else that you wish.