Ethan Dewhurst rediscovered his childhood love for Legos in 2019 when he bought the San Francisco skyline set, and now he travels the world building Lego replicas of famous monuments in front of the real structures.
At a Glance
- Ethan Dewhurst films himself building Lego sets of landmarks at the actual locations
- His “Legos on Location” series started in August 2024 at Neuschwanstein Castle
- The Eiffel Tower build took 18 hours and drew crowds of onlookers
- Why it matters: His unique approach combines travel content with nostalgic toy building, creating viral moments
Dewhurst tells News Of Los Angeles that he and his brothers often received Lego sets under the Christmas tree as children, but he eventually stopped playing with them as he grew older. That changed during a 2019 trip with his wife.
“When my wife and I started traveling, I got back into Lego by just buying the small skyline sets,” he explains. “San Francisco was the first one in 2019. Then, when I started building again, I just got addicted.”
What began as collecting skyline sets from cities they visited evolved into daily purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2020, he was “ordering a large set every day” as the world went into lockdown.
His online videos about Lego collections initially focused on showcasing his growing assortment of sets. After several travel-related videos went viral, he developed the concept for “Lego on Location,” where he builds Lego replicas of monuments while standing in front of the actual structures.
“It actually started maybe a year and a half ago, where we would go places, and I would bring my Lego, I would talk about it for maybe two minutes, and then I’d put it away, forget I ever did it, and then enjoy our trip,” Dewhurst shares.
The format evolved when they branded the series “Lego on Location” and established a consistent approach. Rather than simply reviewing sets, the videos capture the building process and incorporate travel experiences.
“I wanted it to be more in-depth and not even really talk about Lego. Let’s talk about the real thing. Let’s not get a history lesson; let’s talk more about where we are,” he explains. “We did our first official Lego location in August of this year.”
Building in Public
The first official “Lego on Location” shoot took place at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, where Dewhurst immediately attracted attention from tourists.
“In Germany, we had a line of maybe 50 people for photos, not because I’m anybody, just because, ‘Hey, there’s a castle in front of the castle. I can take a photo,'” he recalls.
As his online following grew, more people began recognizing him during builds. Visitors now stop to watch for approximately 30 minutes at a time, asking questions about his process and the Lego sets.
“People will come and stop and talk, either because they recognize us or because it’s Lego. So either way, that has added fun, but also a challenge to it, which slows you down on the build,” he notes.
Among his most memorable experiences was building the Eiffel Tower set in Paris, which required 18 hours to complete due to its complexity.
“The Eiffel Tower was crazy. That was super hard,” he says. “Because of the accomplishment, that was my favorite. We were able to build that in one of the busiest, most famous locations.”
Global Adventures
Dewhurst has conducted live builds at locations ranging from the Rockefeller Tree to Hobbiton in New Zealand. The Paris build proved particularly memorable as they constructed the set in multiple locations around the city.
“Paris was super fun because we built it in the main square, then on the bridge, then on the boat, and then we were able to get access to that boat during the sparkles [of the Eiffel Tower],” he describes.
Despite spending hours building in public spaces and interacting with strangers, Dewhurst reports minimal negative encounters, attributing the positive atmosphere to the universal appeal of Lego.
“If you have a Lego set in a Lego box and you’re doing something that no one does, then everyone is super nice,” he observes. “Everyone loves Lego. It’s a good change of pace when people see some dork building Lego.”
Practical Challenges
Transporting completed Lego sets internationally presents ongoing logistical challenges. Initially, Dewhurst attempted to wrap finished builds in plastic wrap for the journey home, but this method proved unreliable.
He now gives away completed sets to people he meets during the building process who show genuine enthusiasm for the project.
“We’re meeting people throughout, you’ll be able to tell who really loves it and who’s really excited. I get their contact, and I just give it away to them at the end,” he explains.
The time investment required for on-location builds significantly exceeds what would be needed at home. A 30-minute build can stretch to 15 hours when factoring in interactions with onlookers.
“That’s a big difference, but it also means I’m promoting and doing something that is a little bit more standout,” he acknowledges.
Community Connections
Dewhurst recently organized a public event in New York City where followers could watch him build and interact in person.
“That was cool to interact, and be personable, and meet followers that have been following me for a long time,” he says. “That is a cool aspect. I would never meet these people if we didn’t do that.”
While remaining secretive about specific future plans, Dewhurst confirms that 2026 will see him “pushing the limits” as he continues traveling globally with Lego sets.
His unique approach to combining travel content with Lego building has created a niche following that extends beyond typical toy enthusiasts to include travel lovers and those seeking wholesome online content. The series demonstrates how childhood interests can evolve into creative adult pursuits that bring joy to both the creator and audience worldwide.
