Review: 21359 Italian Riviera from LEGO® Ideas

The 67th set in the LEGO® Ideas line, 21359 Italian Riviera is a refined version of the project originally proposed by Alex Sahli. On the surface the set may look similar to the original submission, but numerous modifications have been made in order to bring the set to market. Join us today as we take a closer look at these changes and the elements in the set, with extra insight from the design team!

Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.

21359 Italian Riviera

• Release date: 7 August 2025 for LEGO® Insiders, 10 August for all
• Pieces: 3251

Price: 

• US$ 299.99 on LEGO.com US
• CA$ 349.99 on LEGO.com Canada
• GB£ 249.99 on LEGO.com UK
• AU$ 449.99 on LEGO.com Australia
• NZ$ 499.99 on LEGO.com New Zealand
• DE€ 279,99 on LEGO.com Deutschland
• NL€ 279,99 on LEGO.com Nederland
• FR€ 279,99 on LEGO.com France
• PLN 1199.99 on LEGO.com Polska
• NOK 3399,90 on LEGO.com Norge
• DKK 2199.95 on LEGO.com Danmark

Other countries click here

 

 

Recoloured parts

Twelve recoloured elements have been introduced in the set.

• 37x Brick Special 1 x 1 x 1 2/3 with Studs on 1 Side in Reddish Orange (6567220 | 32952)
• 16x Brick 1 x 1 in Reddish Orange (6567217 | 3005)
• 4x Slope 33° 3 x 1 in Reddish Orange (6569137 | 4286)
• 7x Plate 1 x 3 in Reddish Orange (6567216 | 3623)
• 4x Slope 1 x 6 x 1 with 1 x 2 x 1/3 Cutout in Light Nougat (6569138 | 4569)
• 2x Brick Arch 1 x 3 x 3 [Gothic] in Light Nougat (6569136 | 13965)
• 4x Brick Arch 1 x 5 x 2 in Dark Tan (6567219 | 3572)
• 36x Tile Special 1 x 2 with Sloped Walls AKA Money / Gold Bar [Ingot] in Green (6567218 | 99563)
• 8x Door for Window Frame 1 x 4 x 3, Semicircular Handle Holes on Back in Dark Green (6567215 | 95270)
• 1x Minifig Neckwear Airtanks with Large Holes in Bright Light Blue (6550358 | 90226, 3838)
• 1x Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 1 in Blue (6472679 | 36841)
• 1x Boat / Rowing Boat 14 x 5 x 2 with Oarlocks [No Hollow Inside Studs] in Light Aqua (6569139 | 21301)

Classic Space fans will be thrilled to get the bright light blue airtanks. Rather humorously, the set's designer Mary Wilson revealed in the roundtable that we attended that her decision to include them was completely accidental, and done without prior knowledge of the bright light blue Classic Space torso that was introduced through the Build-a-Minifigure experience earlier this year. Unfortunately, this means there are no present plans for a matching helmet.

Rare elements

LEGO Ideas sets often include a considerable number of hard-to-find elements, and this set is no exception. All elements found below are found in fewer than five sets:

• 19x Brick 1 x 6 in Reddish Orange (6546607 | 3009)
• 21x Brick 1 x 3 in Reddish Orange (6546609 | 3622)
• 23x Brick 1 x 2 in Reddish Orange (6545348 | 3004)
• 6x Brick 1 x 6 in Cool Yellow/ Bright Light Yellow (6541347 | 3009)
• 2x Slope 1 x 6 x 1 with 1 x 2 x 1/3 Cutout in Cool Yellow/ Bright Light Yellow (6508008 | 4569)
• 5x Wheel Arch, Mudguard, 1 1/2 x 6 x 1 [Arch Extended] in Cool Yellow/ Bright Light Yellow (6476004 | 4925, 62361)
• 5x Brick 1 x 2 x 2 with Inside Stud Holder in Cool Yellow/ Bright Light Yellow (6544519 | 3245)
• 4x Tile 2 x 2 Curved, Macaroni in Cool Yellow/ Bright Light Yellow (6550890 | 27925)
• 1x Food Ice Cream Scoops in Cool Yellow/ Bright Light Yellow (6537780 | 1887)
• 2x Tile 1 x 2 with Stud Notch Right in Brick Yellow/ Tan (6491421 | 5092)
• 2x Tile 1 x 2 with Stud Notch Left in Brick Yellow/ Tan (6536100 | 5091)
• 1x Wedge Plate 6 x 3 Right in Brick Yellow/ Tan (6469247 | 54383)
• 2x Technic Brick 1 x 1 with Axle Hole in Brick Yellow/ Tan (6528173 | 73230)
• 1x Tile Round 2 x 2 Half Circle in Light Purple/ Bright Pink (6552654 | 5520)
• 4x Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 with Curved Top in Light Purple/ Bright Pink (6526031 | 5841)
• 3x Plate 1 x 12 in Light Nougat (6537846 | 60479)
• 2x Brick Arch 1 x 4 in Light Nougat (6522622 | 3659)
• 1x Tile 2 x 4 with Groove in Light Nougat (6535079 | 87079)
• 1x Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 with Curved Top in Bright Purple/ Dark Pink (6553413 | 5841)

• 1x Vehicle Body, Scooter in Bright Bluish Green/ Dark Turquoise (6523800 | 3373)
• 3x Technic Panel Fairing 2 x 1 x 1 in Bright Bluish Green/ Dark Turquoise (6542618 | 89679)
• 3x Technic Panel Fairing 2 x 1 x 1 in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6434570 | 89679)
• 3x Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 with Curved Top in Light Royal Blue/ Bright Light Blue (6535838 | 5841)
• 1x Tile 1 x 2 with Stud Notch Right in Light Royal Blue/ Bright Light Blue (6510147 | 5092)
• 1x Bar 4L (Lightsaber Blade / Wand) in Bright Blue/ Blue (6501818 | 21462)
• 1x Dish 4 x 4 Inverted [Radar] in Bright Orange/ Orange (6555201 | 3960)
• 1x Hair Mid-Length Combed Behind Ear in Black (6460731 | 36037)
• 4x Bar, U-Shape 2 x 3 in Black (6535446 | 7052)
• 1x Helmet, Standard in Medium Lilac/ Dark Purple (6518240 | 30124)
• 3x Plate Round 1 x 1 with Hollow Stud and Underside Clip in Transparent/ Trans-Clear (6542392 | 5264)
• 1x Hair Coiled, Parted in Reddish Brown (6494664 | 78301)
• 2x Food Hot Dog / Sausage in White (6518930 | 25994)
• 1x String with End Studs 11L Overall in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6533185 | 111933)
• 1x Hair Ponytail and Swept Sideways Fringe in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6561519 | 18227)
• 1x Torso, Shirt with Raccoon print, Lavender Arms, Yellow Hands in White (6448189 | 76382)
• 1x Torso, Coat, Tan Belt, Black Sweater print, Tan Arms, Yellow Hands in Brick Yellow/ Tan (6448535 | 76382)
• 1x Minifig Head, Black Eyes, Eyelashes, Open Mouth Smile, Dark Turquoise Hearing Aid in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6521192 | 110456)
• 1x Animal, Cat, Kitten, Short Tail, Black Eyes and Nose Print in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6523305 | 110900, 100552, 84786)

There's a specific reason the minifigure torso with tan jacket and sweater is re-used here: the character is lifted directly from 2023 LEGO® City set 60380 Downtown, and is intended as a travelling food critic.

Decorations

The set features five new printed elements:

• 1x Torso, Light Aqua Apron with Flowers Print in White (6566084)
• 1x Torso Suit, Medium Lavender Vest, Medium Azure Scarf Print in Tan (6566399)
• 3x Tile 1 x 2 with Groove with Foccacia Pattern in Tan (6549065)
• 2x Tile Round 2 x 2 with Bottom Stud Holder with Trofie Pattern in White (6549064)
• 1x Hips and Medium Lavender Legs with Light Aqua Apron Print in Light Aqua (6549062)

The set features a single sticker sheet that can be used to add detail to the model. It includes a reference to the rejected Tuscan Villa project on the LEGO Ideas platform, which was created by the same fan designer as the Italian Riviera.

Building experience

The first four bags of elements are used to assemble the base of the back-half of the model and fish market. Eagle-eyed readers may spot several exposed Mixel ball joints lining the base, awaiting connections from the front half of the model, in a large-scale example of reflected triangle geometry.

Unsurprisingly, the front half of the model’s base is built next. Considerable attention is given to the waterfront, with a mix of transparent tiles giving the impression of waves.

A gelato shop is constructed on the ground level of the light nougat building, remaining faithful to the original LEGO Ideas submission. The shop features a dipping cabinet, freezer, and wall signage of a gelato cone.

Bags 11 and 12 construct the ground level of the bright light yellow building, which houses a diving shop. The highlight of the shop may be the staircase, which is constructed sideways using Panel 1 x 3 x 1 (23950).

Bag 13 is used for adding additional rock detailing to the side and back of the fish market building. A variety of slopes are combined to mimic the jagged cliffs of the northern Italian coastline.

The build continues to grow upwards in bags 14 and 15, which construct the second story of the reddish orange fish market building. This level features a residential kitchen and staircase.

To maintain the illusion of closed shutters from both the interior and exterior of the building, a combination of Bracket 1 x 2 - 2 x 2 Inverted (99207) and transparent Panel 1 x 2 x 1 (4865, 26169, 35293) are nested and mounted sideways.

Bags 16 through 18 are used to assemble the third and final level of the reddish orange building, which features a bedroom, shower, and deck. The roof is loosely connected via Technic axles, allowing easy access to the interior.

The second story of the light nougat building is assembled next, and features a combined kitchenette and bedroom. Despite the limited space, it manages to pack in a lot of detail, including a refrigerator, oven with hood, sink, and wall cabinets.

The last room to be constructed is the upper story of the bright light yellow building, which consists of deck and sparsely furnished interior consisting of a daybed and television. The outside includes a satellite dish, small table, and intricate railing created using Spoon, Flat Bottom (80179) and the recently introduced Bar, U-Shape 2 x 3 (7052).

The light nougat and bright light yellow buildings are completed with the addition of removable roofs, modeled on the tiled roofs of the Italian coastline. A selection of antennas and chimneys break help to break up the surfaces.

Lastly, the street is decorated with a variety of accessories. These include a fishing boat, scooter, table with umbrella, bench, and an angled display for the fish market.

Completed model

The completed model offers an idyllic image of a town on the Italian coast. The designers have done an excellent job implying the winding streets through clever angling of the buildings, which are distinguished by their bright, eye-catching color schemes. Smaller features of the set, such as the vestigial antennas and uneven cobblestone streets demonstrate remarkable attention-to-detail by the designers and respect for the region of Italy that inspired the set.

 

The modular nature of the set welcomes comparisons to the LEGO® Icons Modular Buildings subtheme, which I think are well warranted. Each building features lovingly detailed interiors, and are designed to by physically accessible from street-level. In this comparison, however, I believe it is worth noting the considerably higher price point of this set, in all regions, compared to 10350 Tudor Corner which was released earlier this year and featured a nearly identical piece count.

The design team actually wanted to differentiate this set from the Modular Buildings, since the architecture varied so significantly, which is why they switched from the square base of the original submission to this organic form. 

While the set represents a delightful scene full of character and interesting parts, I would personally suggest waiting to purchase the set until a suitable promotion or discount is available, to help alleviate the sting of the US$299.99/ £249.99/ €279.99/ AU$449.99 price.

Perhaps that suitable promotion could be the Gift with Purchase that will come free with Italian Riviera for the first few days it is available.

Gift with Purchase: 5009422 Italian Market Van

The GwP paired with purchases of the new set 21359 Italian Riviera is an adorable vehicle with goods heading to market and a driver clutching his coffee!

• Pieces: 142
• Measures: over 8 cm (3 in.) high, 10 cm (4 in.) long and 6 cm (2 in.) wide
• Availability: Free with purchases via LEGO Stores or LEGO.com of LEGO® Ideas 21359 Italian Riviera.

View on LEGO.com

READ MORE: Review: 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle from LEGO® Architecture

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