The LEGO Group celebrated a key milestone in the construction of its first U.S. manufacturing facility this week, raising the final steel beam on its $1.5 billion factory in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The event marks the project’s transition into its next phase, with production expected to begin in 2027.
“This steel topping out marks a significant moment in our journey to build and open our new U.S. factory, bringing creativity and LEGO® play closer to fans across the region,” said Jesús Ibañez, General Manager of LEGO Manufacturing Virginia. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our team, partners, and local community, all working together to bring this vision to life.”
More than 1,300 people — including Virginia state officials, Chesterfield County leaders, construction crews, and LEGO employees — attended the ceremony, signing the final beam before it was raised into place. In true LEGO fashion, the structure was topped with a 2.5-foot LEGO brick tree, a playful twist on the traditional evergreen used in construction ceremonies.
The Chesterfield site will span 1.7 million square feet across 13 buildings and include molding, processing, and packing facilities, along with an automated warehouse and office space. Construction is being led by Gray|Hourigan, a joint venture known for its sustainable industrial design and community-focused projects. (RELATED: Virginia AG Candidate Jay Jones Under Fire for Disturbing Text Messages)
LEGO currently operates a temporary packing facility nearby, employing over 500 team members, with plans to expand the workforce to 1,700 employees over the next decade. The factory will also feature sustainability measures designed to reduce emissions from electricity and fuel use through renewable energy sources, aligning with LEGO’s global goal of cutting carbon emissions by 37% by 2032.
As part of its community initiatives, LEGO has partnered with local organizations in Chesterfield County and the Greater Richmond area to promote learning-through-play programs. In 2025 alone, LEGO provided six grants to support programs expected to reach nearly 400,000 children.
The Virginia factory will be LEGO’s seventh manufacturing site worldwide and its second in the Americas, accompanied by a new regional distribution center set to open the same year. (RELATED: $609M Shock: Virginians Pay Price for ‘Clean’ Energy Push)