Italian Riviera LEGO Set by Former Portland Student Hits Shelves This Month

PORTLAND, Ore. – What began as a high school passion project for Alex Sahli will soon be a LEGO set available to fans worldwide.

In 2022, while still a junior at Grant High School, Sahli submitted a design of the Italian Riviera to LEGO Ideas — an online platform where fans share custom creations, gather community votes, and, if approved by LEGO, see their designs produced for sale. At just 17 years old, Sahli had already submitted five original designs to the platform.

From Idea to Reality

Sahli’s concept depicted a picturesque Italian village, complete with:

A Vespa scooter
A fishing boat
A gelato shop
Brightly colored buildings with tiled roofs

Two years later, in 2024, as a college freshman, Sahli got the news he had been hoping for — LEGO had accepted his submission for production.

Set Details

The finished Italian Riviera LEGO Set will feature:

Over 3,000 pieces
Nine minifigures, including one modeled after Sahli himself as a camera-toting tourist

The set will be available for purchase later this month, marking a milestone achievement for the young designer.

Designing for LEGO

Sahli says the process of bringing the set to life involved refining details, ensuring structural stability, and working closely with LEGO’s design team. The result balances authentic Italian charm with the playfulness and creativity the brand is known for.

In addition to his Italian Riviera creation, Sahli continues to design original builds that are attracting a growing following on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes looks at his creative process and inspiring other aspiring LEGO designers.

For Sahli, the project represents both a dream fulfilled and a stepping stone toward a future in design — and for LEGO fans, it’s a chance to bring a slice of the Riviera home, one brick at a time.