The project, which was similar to building a small city, represented the first major theme park built in the Northeast in decades. At any given time, there were roughly 60 subcontractors and more than 700 workers on site. Crews moved more than 2 million cu yd of earth and laid 17 miles of piping and conduit.

The team met daily with Legoland staff, rolling out a white board to list 20 or more “hot” items that required resolution—from figuring out where a pipe needed to go to fine-tuning an aquatic ride. To keep construction moving on the massive project, priority was given to action items that “kept the greatest number of workers working,” the team said.

Participants also played a crucial role in ensuring the project represented the Lego brand and look. An external insulation and finishing system helped give building facades the look of Lego bricks while at the same time generating cost savings of 70%.

The team also created hidden structural supports for Lego models and wired them for power and water. When COVID-19 shut down international travel, team members stepped up to install park rides with help, over Zoom, from manufacturers in China, Japan and Germany. The team also worked to secure shipment of needed parts while arranging for all third-party inspections and workforce certifications needed to open the theme park.

The $265-million project was completed at budget and on schedule in 27 months.