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It is rare to imagine LEGO® House without Stuart Harris. Yet in January 2026, that will be the new reality. Harris announced his retirement after 22 years at the LEGO® Group, 12 of them spent as Master Model Builder at the home of the brick. For visitors, his yellow sneakers became almost as iconic as the giant Tree of Creativity towering inside the House.
The news lands at a curious moment. LEGO® House is preparing for the launch of the LEGO Masters Academy experience on 17 September 2025. Whether the timing is linked or simply coincidence remains unclear, but the thought of this new program opening without Harris at the helm feels slightly surreal.
A Builder Who Became a Guide
Ask anyone who joined an Inside Tour or attended AFOL Day. Stuart Harris was more than a builder. He was a guide, a storyteller, and a bridge between fans and the company. I still remember him reading aloud from a Fabuland book when he unveiled the LEGO® House exclusive 40506 Fabuland Tribute in 2024. It wasn’t just about bricks on a table. It was a performance, a memory, a spark.
The Shoes That May Stay Empty
The official word on his successor has not yet been given. Will someone step into those yellow sneakers, or will they be left symbolic, untied in the corner of Billund? Either way, his absence will be felt. After all, Harris not only designed and co-designed many LEGO® House exclusives, he also managed their sketch models, portfolio, and long-term roadmap.
For those who never met him in person, chances are you still touched his work. Every exclusive box sold at the Home of the Brick carried his fingerprint.
A Few Months Left
There is still time. Between now and January 2026, Harris will be present at AFOL Day, the Fan Christmas Dinner, and other gatherings inside LEGO® House. If you plan a visit, it may be your last chance to say goodbye. For me, that moment will come during Fan Media Days in Billund next week, when I will certainly try to catch one last glimpse of those famous shoes.
In between you are still able to follow Stuart Harris in Instagram.
