You may have never heard of Smallbone of Devizes, but this British cabinetmaker is coming to Chicago. Under a deal devised by local developers, the UK import will open a showroom up in a key part of the city – across the street from Merchandise Mart. Whom do you have to thank for such an acquisition of overseas business? Robert Levinson of Chicago and his developer brother-in-law, Steven Levin.





Adding a Splash

The reason why the pair decided to lure Smallbone of Devizes to the area is they plan to turn the old-fashioned buildings into a shopping oasis for upscale retailers that specialize in home goods. This means you can select high-quality cabinets from the UK right in Chicago, and you’ll have a showroom to see the cabinets in the flesh, which is much better than looking at something online.

Levinson and Levin have renamed the space the Kinzie Design Center, and Smallbone of Devizes will take up 3,200 square feet of it. The in-laws have devised a plan to lure in other luxury tenants ready to sell their goods near the historic shopping area. Robert Levinson knows Chicago, and he sees tenants having street-level access, which brings greater visibility to potential consumers passing by.

Merchandise Mart Is Skeptical





Mart, as Merchandise Mart is nicknamed, contents this is a tough task, but Levinson and Levin are experienced land developers ready for the challenge. According to Mart executives, people inside the spacious shopping center rarely venture outside, which means those businesses with street-level access won’t actually benefit from their new location.

This sounds like sour grapes to Levinson and Levin. Levinson insists there is “a market for these showrooms outside the Mart,” and with his experience in the area, he knows about what he is talking. The duo has invested $7.5 million to purchase the property and much more to restore it to its original splendor. No doubt, this alone will attract people to the area, which bodes well for stores.

Experience Counts

Both Levinson and Levin bring tremendous property development experience to the table. Levinson is president of RSL Building Corporation and Levin is president of Brijus Properties. Combined, the two have worked to rebuild parts of Chicago for years, and they don’t show any signs of slowing down, especially with their new Kinzie Design Center.

Robert Levinson and Chicago go hand-in-hand. He has a vested interest in the city and has worked tirelessly his entire career to improve it. Head down to Kinzie Design Center for a peek at the beautifully restored buildings and what the tenants have to offer.