A ceremony was held at Chesterfield’s Meadowville Technology Park to mark a milestone in the construction of The LEGO Group’s new manufacturing facility. During the event, a yellow steel beam decorated with a LEGO brick tree and signatures was placed as the final structural element in the main production building.
Governor Glenn Youngkin, local officials, and representatives from The LEGO Group attended the topping-out ceremony. Tyren Frazier, manager of social responsibility for LEGO, remarked, “It’s incredible to witness what is being created here. It feels like we’re constructing our own massive LEGO set right before our eyes.”
The $1 billion project will span 1.7 million square feet and is expected to open in 2027. Once operational, it will create more than 1,700 jobs across 13 buildings. Currently, LEGO employs 500 people at a temporary packaging site in Chesterfield County and has hundreds of construction workers on-site daily.
Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Ingle stated, “Today marks the latest milestone in The LEGO Group’s investment in Chesterfield County. It’s an affirmation of why the county attracts leading global companies, because of our prime location, exceptional public education system and highly skilled workforce.” He added that LEGO’s initiatives include job creation and sustainability efforts such as carbon-neutral operations and solar energy use.
Jesus Ibanez, general manager for LEGO’s Virginia manufacturing operations, highlighted that this facility would provide important capacity for their global supply chain: “With the opening of this factory, we will be able to shorten supply lines, respond more quickly to customer demand and reduce the environmental impact from shipping products over long distances. That’s a big deal, considering the U.S. is one of our fastest-growing markets.”
Governor Youngkin emphasized both economic development and cultural significance: “The LEGO boxes that are going to come out of this facility will have those magic words on them that say not only ‘Made in America,’ but ‘Made in Virginia.’ How about that?” He also commented on the broader impact: “LEGO is so much more than a toy. It unlocks aspiration, inspiration and creativity… You are enabling the next generation of builders to start dreaming.”
Ingle also noted LEGO’s community involvement: “This year alone, more than 150 LEGO employees have contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to reach nearly 400,000 children with creative play and learning opportunities,” he said.
The Chesterfield plant will be LEGO’s seventh globally and its second North American factory.
