LEGO® Friends parts review & MOCs: 41704 Main Street Building

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.

41704 Main Street Building is the largest LEGO® Friends release ever, beating the previous incumbent 41101 Heartlake Grand Hotel by 110 pieces, which had held the top spot since 2015. This new set retails at £129.99 / $149.99 / 149,99 € for 1682 pieces, which gives a reasonable price per part value of 7.7p / 8.9c. If you're buying this set, consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'. 

 

I will take a closer look at the new and rare elements, the minidolls and make a couple of MOCs from some of the pieces.

New moulds in 41704 Main Street Building

We have three new moulds in the set, two of which have only appeared in a handful of other sets.

• 4 x 80683 Door 3 x 6 in Transparent Light Blue/Trans-Light Blue (6370306 | 80683) - a new door mould for 2022 with two fitting into the 1x6x6 frames. This colour also appears in 7 other City and Friends releases this year in Trans Light Blue, and additionally in 60321 Fire Brigade in Bright Bluish Green/Dark Turquoise 
• 1 x 83188pr0001 Animal, Dog, Long Haired with White Eyes print in Black (6373423 | 84085) - a completely new dog element, it currently appears in 1 other set, 41699 Pet Adoption Café
• 1 x 80577pat0001 Minidoll Hair and Hat, Beanie with Bright Light Yellow Hair Long Wavy Hair print in Cool Yellow/Bright Light Yellow (6365950 | 80577) - another new dual-moulded hat/hair element, it appears in one other set in this colour, 41700 Beach Glamping, and one set with Reddish Brown hair and Bright Light Yellow Beanie in Pet Adoption Café.

Exclusive recolours

There are a whopping 17 new recoloured elements which are exclusive to Main Street Building!

• 1 x 35660pat0005 Minifig Hair and Hat/Cap, Ponytail Dark Red Print in Light Purple/Bright Pink (6381556 | 35660) 
• 1 x 79989pat0002 Minidoll Hair and Hat, Long Hair with Magenta Hat Pattern in Black (6381644 | 79989) - the third colour option for this piece
• 1 x 4740 Dish 2 x 2 Inverted [Radar] in Vibrant Coral/Coral (6381707 | 4740) 
• 1 x 92926 Trash Can with 4 Cover Holders in Coral (6381709 | 28967)
• 6 x 37352 Brick Curved 1 x 2 x 1 No Studs in Lavender (6377009 | 37352)
• 8 x 70681 Brick Curved 3 x 1 with 2/3 Inverted Cutout in Lavender (6379957 | 70681)
• 4 x 20310 Brick Special 1 x 1 with Scroll with Open Stud in Medium Lilac/Dark Purple (6377010 | 20310)
• 1 x 6112 Brick 1 x 12 in Dark Purple (6262511 | 6112)
• 2 x 65617 Brick Round Corner 3 x 3 x 1 with Bottom Cut Outs [No Studs] [1/4 Arch] in Lavender (6377008 | 65617)
• 1 x 68568 Plate Round Corner 3 x 3 with 2 x 2 Round Cutout in Lavender (6381957 | 68568) 
• 3 x 92438 Plate 8 x 16 in Bright Yellow/Yellow (6377014 | 92438) - I’m frankly surprised this has not existed previously!
• 1 x 60596 Door Frame 1 x 4 x 6 Type 2 in Bright Light Yellow (6386231 | 40289)
• 1 x 28327 Door Frame 4 x 4 x 6 Corner in Bright Purple/Dark Pink (6381956 | 28327) 
• 1 x 57894 Window 1 x 4 x 6 Frame with 3 Panes in Medium Azure (6377013 | 46523)
• 2 x 2454b Brick 1 x 2 x 5 with Hollow Studs and Bottom Stud Holder with Symmetric Ridges in Medium Azure (6377001 | 2454)
• 2 x 2453a Brick 1 x 1 x 5 with Blocked Open or Hollow Stud in Medium Azure (6377004 | 2453)
• 6 x 2453a Brick 1 x 1 x 5 with Blocked Open or Hollow Stud in Bright Reddish Violet/Magenta (6379936 | 2453) - unique to this set

• 1 x 67687 Plate Special 2 x 2 with Wheel Holders with Cross (+) Slots on Pins in Medium Stone Grey/Light Bluish Gray (6408022 | 67687) 

This is an updated version of Design ID 4600, and is the first time the new mould has appeared in Light Bluish Gray, it was first seen in this set in January 2022 but is now in 3 others.

While I don’t think it is functionally different from its predecessor, BrickLink says:

Parts with the main item number 4600 are completely manufactured with ABS, while parts with the alternate item number 67687 are dual moulded with two different types of plastic: ABS for the main body of the part and another plastic for the pins.

Rare & returning colours

As well as all those lovely unique recolours are, we also have an abundance of elements which can only be found in a handful of other sets.

The following elements currently appear in one other set:

• 1 x 4536 Cupboard 2 x 3 Drawer in Dark Pink (6332092 | 4536) - previously seen in 41450 Heartlake City Shopping Mall
• 3 x 98283 Brick Special 1 x 2 with Masonry Brick Profile in White (6152409 | 98283) - first seen in 10291 Queer Eye: The Fab 5 Loft last year, with 85 in that set, not in any other releases currently 
• 2 x 4162 Tile 1 x 8 with Groove in Bright Light Yellow (6296504 | 4162) - also in 10271 Fiat 500
• 2 x 42205 Door Frame 1 x 6 x 6 in Medium Azure (6331407 | 42205) - in Heartlake City Shopping Mall
• 1 x 2453b Brick 1 x 1 x 5 with Solid Stud in Dark Purple (6173721 | 2453) - making a comeback since its one and only other appearance in 41312 Heartlake Sports Center in 2017
• 2 x 60596 Door Frame 1 x 4 x 6 Type 2 in Lavender (6344416 | 40289) - additionally in 10292 Friends - The Apartments

The following elements come in two other sets:

• 6 x 73878 Window Round 3 x 3 x 2 in White (6329420 | 73878) - appears 41447 Heartlake City Park and 41449 Andrea's Family House
• 3 x 3002 Brick 2 x 3 in Dark Purple (6366705 | 3002) - seen in 40516 Everyone Is Awesome and 4695 Mini Knight Bus
• 2 x 92438 Plate 8 x 16 in Dark Pink (6211411 | 92438) - in 41430 Summer Fun Water Park and 41340 Friendship House 
• 1 x 66252 Plate Special 4 x 4 with Studs on Edges and Clips Horizontal in White (6310187 | 66252) - also in 60343 Rescue Helicopter Transport and 60276 Police Prisoner Transport
• 6 x 33909 Plate Special 2 x 2 with Only 2 studs in Dark Pink (6293401 | 33909) - comes in 76199 Carnage and 76187 Venom
• 1 x 27986pr0003 Animal, Dog, Sitting with Coral Straps (Seeing Eye Dog) in Brick Yellow/Tan (6331479 | 75511) - in two other sets, 41446 Heartlake City Vet Clinic and 41683 Forest Horseback Riding Center
• 2 x 59349 Panel 1 x 6 x 5 in Aqua/Light Aqua (6329423 | 59349) - in 60330 Hospital and 41693 Surfer Beachfront (I applied the sticker to this before taking the image)
• 4 x 4070a Brick Special 1 x 1 with Headlight and Slot in Dark Azure (6345712 | 4070) - in 41709 Vacation Beach House and 40477 Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey & Louie

The following elements are seen in three other sets:

• 1 x 3002 Brick 2 x 3 in Dark Pink (6143708 | 3002) - in 2 sets from 2021, 43111 Candy Castle Stage and Everyone Is Awesome plus one set from 2004, 4411 Blue Strata XXL
• 4 x 15533 Brick Special 1 x 4 with Masonry Brick Profile in Lavender (6311131 | 15533) - in 41440 Heartlake City Bakery, 75978 Diagon Alley and 21324 123 Sesame Street
• 1 x 2496 Wheel Skateboard /Trolley in Bright Green (6334178 | 2496) - first seen in 2021, now in 3 other widely available sets, plus 40512 Fun and Funky VIP Add On Pack
• 1 x 79736 Equipment, Watering Can in Bright Yellowish Green/Lime (6361353 | 79736) - made its debut in 43202 The Madrigal House in 2021 and is also in two other Friends sets from 2022, 41707 Tree-Planting Vehicle and 41702 Canal Houseboat
• 3 x 2453b Brick 1 x 1 x 5 with Solid Stud in Bright Light Yellow (6036239 | 2453) - making a comeback in 2022 here, having also appeared in just 3 releases between 2013-2015
• 2 x 24314c02 Wheel Wheelchair with Fixed Bright Green Hard Rubber Tire in Transparent Bright Green/Trans-Bright Green (6334175 | 24314) - in Pet Adoption Café, 41444 Heartlake City Organic Café and 60290 Skate Park
• 1 x 85974 Minifig Hair Mid-Length with Part over Front of Right Shoulder in Lavender (6295342 | 85974) - appeared in 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens, 40488 Coffee Cart and 41391 Heartlake City Hair Salon (in the hairdresser's window)

Printed Pieces

There are just three printed elements of interest:

• 1 x 98138pr0274 Tile Round 1 x 1 with Sushi print in Black (6361438 | 80058) - a new sushi print for 2022, additionally appears in 41701 Street Food Market, this is now the third sushi maki roll print pattern available
• 1 x 98138pr0275 Tile Round 1 x 1 with Green Plug on Bright Green Background print in White (6373413 | 84075) - new for 2022, also found in Tree-Planting Vehicle and Vacation Beach House
• 1 x 3005pr0026 Brick 1 x 1 with Milk Carton, Glass, print in Medium Blue (6329591 | 73783) - in 2 other sets from 2021 and the Collectible Minifigure Series 22, 71032-2 Chili Costume Fan

Minidolls in Main Street Building

The set contains seven minidoll characters and one microdoll child. Stephanie is the only one of the original five Friends to appear, so it's great to see some other characters included, especially as one uses a wheelchair and one is blind with a white stick and guide dog. I’m very happy to see more representation of disabled folks in the LEGO universe. The minidolls also have three different skin tones between them. Let’s take a look at the less common elements making up the characters:

Stephanie

Stephanie’s blonde hair and Bright Pink beanie hat is covered in the New Moulds section above.

• 1 x 92456c01pr0380 Minidoll Torso Girl with Magenta Top, Silver Jacket, Light Nougat Arms with Hands in Light Nougat (6349680 | 73141) - also in 41442 Vet Clinic Rescue Buggy
• 1 x 92820c01pr0017 Minidoll Hips and Short Skirt Medium Azure Shoes, White Laces in Magenta (6414847 | 100957) - in 3 other sets

Harper

Some of her wheelchair's parts are covered in the Rare section above, while her hat/hair is in Exclusive Recolours.

• 1 x 92198pr0266 Minidoll Head Olive Green Eyes, Pink Lips, Open Mouth in Light Nougat (6337985 | 77492) - in 2 other sets, 41685 Magical Funfair Roller Coaster and 41686 Magical Acrobatics 
• 1 x 92456c01pr0428 Minidoll Torso Dark Turquoise/Dark Purple Top print with Light Nougat Hands in Light Nougat (6381974 | 73141) - unique to this set
  
• 1 x 11403c01pr0129 Minidoll Hips and Shorts with Light Nougat Legs and Dark Purple Shoes in Bright Orange/Orange (6381977 | 35557) - unique to this set 

Savannah

Her hat/hair and guide dog have been covered in various sections above.

• 1 x 92198pr0227 Minidoll Head Purple Sunglasses (Blind Person) in Nougat (6324689 | 72409) and 1 x 92456c03pr0377 Minidoll Torso Girl with Medium Blue Jacket, Sand Green Top print, Nougat Arms with Hands in Nougat (6349767 | 73141) - both of the above have been in 2 other sets, Heartlake City Vet Clinic and Forest Horseback Riding Center
• 1 x 92820c01pr0202 Minidoll Hips and Shorts with Nougat Legs and Coral Shoes, Dark Purple Laces in Sand Green (6300245 | 35634) - in 4 other sets

Evelyn

All of the following elements are currently unique to this set*, with this character making her debut in the Friends universe:

• 1 x 37823 Minifig Hair Short Tousled with Side Part in Dark Azure (6379470 | 37823) 
• 1 x 92198pr0296 Minidoll Head Reddish Brown Eyes, Dark Pink Lips, Open Smile print in Light Nougat (6373418 | 84080) 
• 1 x 92456c01pr0423 Minidoll Torso White Shirt, Red/Coral Decorations print with Light Nougat Hands in Light Nougat (6379472 | 73141) 
• 1 x 92818c01pr0239 Minidoll Hips and Layered Skirt with Black Shoes, White Laces Print in Sand Blue (6381297 | 35624)

* Since first compiling this list, I have noticed that Evelyn is also included in the as-yet-unreleased 41708 Roller Disco Arcade, with the same hair and clothing, but with a different head print which includes lightning bolt makeup.

Dottie

• 1 x 92198pr0301 Minidoll Head, Red Glasses Smile print in Light Nougat (6373421 | 84083) - unique here
• 1 x 92456c01pr0116 Minidoll Torso Black Jacket, Red Dress, Pearl Necklace print with Light Nougat Hands in Light Nougat (6381998 | 73152) - also unique to this set but very similar to the torso which appeared in 41349 Drifting Diner
• 1 x 16925c01pr0165 Minidoll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets and Light Nougat Legs and Red Sneakers, White Laces Print in Bright Blue/Blue (6382001 | 35642) - additionally in 41703 Friendship Tree House

Trevor

Trevor is another new character in the Friends universe with both of the following elements being unique to this set:

• 1 x 28649pr0298 Minidoll Head Male Hazel Eyes, Open Mouth print in Reddish Brown (6373414 | 84076)
• 1 x 92815c06pr0118 Minidoll Torso Man with White Shirt, Yellowish green Decorations. Coral Scarf, Reddish Brown Arms and Hands in Reddish Brown (6380109 | 38558) 

Joshua

Joshua is also a new character with the first two elements below unique to this set:

• 1 x 28649pr0299 Minidoll Head Male Bright Light Blue Eyes print in Light Nougat (6373415 | 84077)
• 1 x 92815c01pr0119 Minidoll Torso Man with Dark Green Jacket, Yellow Shirt in Light Nougat (6381527 | 38558)
• 1 x 16925c01pr0138 Minidoll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets and Reddish Brown Shoes Print in Bright Blue/Blue (6381535 | 35584) - also appears in 41713 Olivia's Space Academy

Maya

• 1 x 35701 Minifig Hair 2 Ponytails in Dark Brown (6312730 | 35701) - in just 3 other widely available sets, 60329 School Day, 60292 Town Center and 60271 Main Square, plus 2000430-2 Identity and Landscape Kit, a 2022 rerelease of the 2013 Education/DACTA set with the same name and set number
• 1 x 92198pr0300 Minidoll Head Dark Orange Eyes, Smile print in Medium Nougat (6373416 | 84078) - unique to this set
• 1 x 76808pr0026 Microdoll Body Short Dress with Medium Azure Dress, Coral Cloud, Sun, Rainbow print, Medium Nougat Arms and Legs in Medium Azure (6373417 | 84079) - unique here

The build, and its play features

This is an 8+ set so you wouldn’t expect many complicated building techniques, and indeed that is the case. It’s a big set but each colourful floor is made up from one or two numbered bags and has its own separate instruction manual, so it is a great candidate for building together as a family or with a group of friends. I particularly enjoy the shapes and colours of the floor above the corner shop - but that’s no surprise since it is predominantly composed of dark purple and lavender which are some of my favourite LEGO colours. You can also rearrange the sections into several configurations, which means you don’t just have to go by the order on the box.

As is the case with many LEGO playsets these days, the whole street has open backs for ease of access. The minidolls can be placed in each room with little difficulty, even with adult-sized hands. It is also gratifying to see that there is a working elevator to allow Harper to access each floor with her wheelchair. The mechanism can be attached to any of the stacks by means of the Technic bricks at the bottom which provide a sturdy anchor for the column during play. The little furniture builds for each room provide some nice details which will guide imaginative play without cluttering the rooms.

However, as an AFOL I prefer to have each room enclosed and have the ability to remove the floors, much like a Modular building. I don’t think it would take much effort to convert the set into this type of structure, but it would also suffice as a deep facade-type model if you want to add it to your city, perhaps standing just in front of a wall.

Caz Mockett's original builds inspired by 41704 Main Street Building

Main Street Station Micropolis Model

Although I loved the vibrant colours and shapes of the original model, initially I wasn’t feeling very inspired to build anything with the pieces. The most attractive aspect of the build to me  was the round turret window and colour scheme of the corner shop’s upper floor. I realised that if I added a few more of my own curved windows they could form the basis of a large glass roof span for a microscale station.

It took a while to get the geometry and anchor points sorted out because I wanted to make the roof removable so that you could see the four-platform terminus station underneath. I imagine that this is the end of a commuter line in the heart of downtown Micropolis where the tracks run through tunnels just below ground. 

 

I might build another 16x32 block with tracks in a cutting, but I didn’t want to commit to building many more overground sections to show the full train lines in my layout, so having them terminate underground was a great get-out clause! It is also fairly true to life in many cities. 

At the station entrance we see a modern art sculpture and a map of the wider area, plus a ticket machine at the top of the ramp to each platform.

Three commuter trains of various lengths are waiting at the platforms, while the tunnels to the rest of the line conveniently disappear under the road bridge at the end.

 

Karaoke Roller Disco Minifigure Habitat

Having recently acquired the Disco Diva character from Collectible Minifigure Series 13, I wanted to make a suitable Minifigure Habitat to display her in. The white and lavender masonry bricks plus the lavender Brick Curved 3 x 1 with 2/3 Inverted Cutout provided some interesting architectural details - I imagine the karaoke roller disco (with its funky illuminated floor) might be housed in an old warehouse space where the bare bricks have been painted to liven up the decor. I always try to coordinate the colour scheme of my habitats with each minifigure's outfit, so the palette here was perfect!

Conclusion

The design of the buildings are colourful and attractive and offers numerous combinations of layout for you to customise the look of the street as you wish. The furniture will provide plenty of play value with easy access to each room from the rear. It is great to see diversity inclusion in the set with two disabled minidolls as well as characters with three different skin tones among the seven adult minidolls appearing. 

For an AFOL audience who might be looking more at the parts than the play value, there are a plethora of new recolours and rarer elements which could be useful in many different types of MOC. The set is a reasonable value for money at its given price point. 41704 Main Street Building retails at £129.99 / $149.99 / 149,99 € for 1682 pieces. If you're buying this set, consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'. 

 

Editor: Chris Baginski

READ MORE: TobyMac looks back on 10 years of LEGO® Friends: the new parts, colours and concepts

Help New Elementary keep publishing articles like this. Become a Patron!

Massive thanks go to our 'Vibrant Coral' patrons: Amy Hays, Chuck Hagenbuch, Joe Fontana, Elspeth De Montes, Megan Lum, Markus Rollbühler, Baixo LMmodels, Andy Price, Anthony Wright, London AFOLs, Gerald Lasser, Big B Bricks, Dave Schefcik, David and Breda Fennell, Huw Millington, Antonio Serra, Beyond the Brick, Sue Ann Barber & Trevor Clark, and Kevin Gascoigne.

LEGO® Shop at Home
USA: Save up to 30%. See what's on sale!
UK: Free delivery when you spend £50 or more at LEGO!
Australia: Discover the latest promotions and offers on LEGO.com

All text and images are © New Elementary unless otherwise attributed.