Mystery artist creates viral 'Lego Street' on the Upper West Side
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Tiny Lego characters hidden in the pavement on the Upper West Side have been quietly delighting curious New Yorkers for years -- but who put them there and why?
It goes against everything your parents taught you: looking down while walking around in New York City. But on the Upper West Side, breaking that rule is encouraged.
On the north side of West 85th Street, between Columbus and Central Park West, aka Lego Street, there is a viral sensation going on -- a treasure hunt with surprises.
Some Upper West Side residents referred to the man behind it all as the Banksy of 85th Street.
His real identity shall remain hidden. He said three years ago, just for fun, he and his then 8-year-old son placed a miniature Lego figurine in a slab of wet concrete near their home.
They had hundreds more, but wet concrete is not an everyday occurrence -- but you know what is? Sidewalk cracks.
And so they were off. Right now, there are roughly 40 and counting.
He also takes care of his creations. In one, a QR code links off to a children's book about how the tiny pieces magically come alive overnight.
Neighbors said they are awesome and brighten their day.
Reporter Kemberly Richardson asked the mystery man if he's ever considered expanding, placing the pieces in sidewalks all over the area.
He said no, doing that would lose their charm and he's happy keeping his artful sidewalk right where it is.
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