New Streetscape Shadowbox Prototype

Perfect for those of us looking to expand our cities!!! Thanks!!

We have a working prototype of a 1" deep shadowbox and 6" deep building for this structure. Each are inclusive of floors, ceilings and roof. We also have developed additional height options.

The real question- is there enough demand for this type of model kit to make it worthwhile for us to produce? Our Series 1 Streetscape Buildings sold well at York as assembled and finished pieces. Finished fronts are set aside to sell as flats and 6" deep buildings.

Next week we are going to take the plunge and prepare a set of instructions for a kit. My guess is that once you put one (easy/low building) together, you will be able to move to taller buildings. We have found that going through a height progression greatly reduces anxiety during assembly.

Please express your interest to this and similar built-up and kit form buildings, either by post here or direct email. If I get more than 10 responses, those responding will be put into a drawing for the shadowbox kit. The catch- I ask that you post your impression of the kit.

And as I like to say about our house concerts, please share the information with others who would be interested but are unaware.

& results on the OGR Fourum.

I would be interested in the multi story buildings, either as flats or shadow boxes. In fact, I can see four flats being made into a full size building for those layouts with enough space.

Paul-

That is the idea. What you see in this post's pictures is our prototype 6" deep building. Fully-developed, it will have available blank walls (parting walls for in-line buildings, end/side walls (for buildings that stand alone or are at an end of a row), and back walls.

Please reach to me directly either by calling or email to discuss your application.

Things just got a little brighter! Windows are in the building prototype and we put LED's in the ceilings. Which light color do you prefer?

I like the warm , yellowish light on the bottom.

I'd go with the Warm White..

Definitely prefer the warm white on the ground floor. Would look nice with a cornice over the top floor (like the manufacturing warehouse you introduced at October York.

Paul-

We have a set of overlay pieces to trick out the window frames and cornice. Here’s what that shadowbox sample with all of the add-ones looks like. It includes a canopy over the entrance. We’re looking at cornice alternatives, including inscription dates.

The yellowish glow in the lobby looks better, and I really like that building front with the bump out upstairs.  I’ll be looking for that one at York for sure. 

A little more detail and new cornice added to the prototype.

Looks great!  Like the new cornice!  Looking foward to picking up the shadow box version at York!

Doug,

My preference is for the 6" deep kit. That way I can slice and dice, paint and detail as I like. One thing I would add to a kit for these buildings- how about selling it with the 6" footprint and the shallow shadow box sides all in one. That way depending on the layout need any option is possible. Sometimes I buy a building because I like the facade and then due to space constraints I just slice off the sides to create a flat. 

As far as the lighting choice, I'd prefer the yellowish light for the older style buildings such as what you are showing here.

For modern buildings I'd choose the lighting you show on the upper floor-It's more LEED Certified looking!! . 

Pete-

Thanks for your thoughts. We are headed in the direction of selling the elevation ("flat") with the window and trim details as a separate kit. Then, the customer will have the choice of the 1" deep shadowbox or 6" deep building. The building would have a back elevation with simple windows. 

The reason to sell the behind-the-elevation parts as separate kits is that there are separate floor, ceiling and roof pieces. This new building has a total 11 of those.

The next building that we are working on is a historic hotel in Kansas City. It is located on a corner so the building kit would have two main elevations, a rear and a side.

First crack at painting one:  plain, with sills & headers, with built out  1st floor and cornice. Notice the two-colored window sashes and frames.

ToddModel posted:

First crack at painting one:  plain, with sills & headers, with built out  1st floor and cornice. Notice the two-colored window sashes and frames.

Doug;

Looks great. One quibble... I think the front door looks like a window, especially when it is between those "side lights".

And one question - the picture in your post yesterday (I assume the pre-painted version) appears to have a more tan color for the bricks. Would that be a possibility on a built up, free standing version??? As I mentioned in an email, I am thinking of using this model as a base for my Scranton Electric City sign. Here is a pic of the actual building in Scranton - a bit fussier roof, but I think your model is a really good fit.

The prototypes are modeled all in basswood-colored Taskboard. We can study all of the laser engraving and cutting for appearance and fit before we start blowing acrylic plastic. All of the add-on features are usually made in Laserboard so we see a contrast in pieces, again to make sure all fits.  As for the finished product, we can certainly paint it as a tan-colored brick.

We agree about the door. Most likely will use fewer lites and it should have been painted brass, bronze or maybe black. I was more excited about how it was looking overall and slacked on that detail!

Thanks for the info Doug. I'm in for a built, standalone with tan bricks!!!

Here's a first blush of the next building in the new CityScape series. It is modeled after the Pickwick Hotel in Kansas City and will anchor the left end of the block. We are actually a bit stumped on the architectural history of this building as it appears to have had a major alteration in the window arrays and columnar elements. We have calls out to the renovation  design architect and Historic Kansas City to resolve which version was the one that Truman would retire to. And yes, the first two floors were originally open.

ToddModel posted:

Here's a first blush of the next building in the new CityScape series. It is modeled after the Pickwick Hotel in Kansas City and will anchor the left end of the block. We are actually a bit stumped on the architectural history of this building as it appears to have had a major alteration in the window arrays and columnar elements. We have calls out to the renovation  design architect and Historic Kansas City to resolve which version was the one that Truman would retire to. And yes, the first two floors were originally open.

 

SWEET!!! Probably a bit tall for my layout, but very nice design. Love the two story lobby. Would like to see the full cornice... looks a little Art Deco style - love it.

Paul-

The cornice is one of the architectural details that we are looking to get clarification on. We'll probably make it available in more than one height. What is the range that you are looking for?

Doug;

Not sure of the height... they were down in the basement replacing my dead boiler today, so I'll have to measure tomorrow (since it will be a definite snow day) now that I have heat and hot water again. I know the 5 story will work, but have to take a good measurement - and see what the cornice looks like!!!

The shadowbox is set. The 10-story Pickwick Hotel was at one end of the block. The lower Pickwick office building was at the other end of the block. A large clock facade was centered in the block. At the moment we plan to market the model in the two corner heights. Here's the latest shadowbox progress prototype. The height is 25".