Emerald Chicago | 123 S Green St Guide

The Building

Emerald is a twin-tower condominium complex completed in 2007–2008 at 123–125 S Green St in the West Loop, designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners. The building was conceived as an eco-friendly "green" development, incorporating sustainable building materials and practices at a time when such commitments were less common in residential construction. The two 12-story towers are connected by an impressive 8,000-square-foot two-story atrium lobby, creating a distinctive architectural presence at the corner of Green and Monroe Streets.

Notable details

• Marketed as an eco-friendly "green" building with bamboo, recycled materials, and sustainable finishes
• Twin towers connected by a dramatic two-story atrium lobby
• Ground-floor retail including a Starbucks and Fifth Third Bank location
• One of the largest residential developments in the West Loop at 212 units

Units & Policies

Emerald's 212 condominiums are configured as one- or two-bedroom units, ranging from approximately 800 to 1,300+ square feet. Every unit features floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. Common interior finishes include hardwood or bamboo flooring, granite or stainless steel countertops, stainless steel appliances, and some units have in-unit laundry. An interesting luxury touch: the master bathroom in some units includes a wall-mounted LCD TV.

HOA & fees

HOA assessments vary by unit size; specific current ranges were not independently verified but historical data suggests moderate assessments for the West Loop market.

Pets & parking

The building is pet-friendly. Heated garage parking is available with deeded spaces.

Recreational & Common Spaces

• 1,500-square-foot fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment
• Club Emerald — a private resident lounge with liquor cabinets, custom bar, and seating
• Party/event room
• Conference room and business center
• Rooftop deck

Services & Building Features

• 24-hour door staff
• On-site property management
• Heated garage parking with deeded spaces
• Ground-floor retail (Starbucks and banking)
• Controlled access and security

A West Loop Address Near Greektown

Emerald sits at the corner of Green and Monroe in the West Loop, positioned just one block east of Halsted Street's Greektown corridor and well within walking distance of some of the neighborhood's best restaurants, galleries, and nightlife venues. The location puts residents in the heart of the West Loop's transformation from industrial warehouse district to one of Chicago's premier dining and cultural neighborhoods.

Distance from Printer's Row & the South Loop

For geographic clarity: like other West Loop addresses in this guide series, Emerald is not part of the South Loop / Printer's Row / Dearborn Park cluster. It sits roughly a mile and a half northwest of that historic core, in the heart of the contemporary West Loop neighborhood.

At Green and Monroe

From 123 S Green St, residents are in one of the West Loop's most walkable and connected areas.

• Greektown's Halsted Street restaurant row — one block west
• Randolph Street Restaurant Row and Fulton Market District — a short walk north
• Adams and Sangamon Park — about one block away
• Downtown Chicago and the Loop — a very short walk or ride east

Everyday Conveniences

Daily essentials are steps away, with immediate access to grocers, shops, and services.

• Whole Foods and Mariano's within an easy walk
• Target and other major retailers nearby
• Starbucks inside the building
• UIC Medical Center and the Illinois Medical District within reach

Restaurants

Coffee & Quick Bites

Multiple additional cafes and casual dining options throughout the surrounding West Loop streets.

Grocery Options

• Whole Foods Market — within an easy walk
• Mariano's — nearby full-service grocery
• Neighborhood convenience stores and specialty shops along Green and Halsted

Shopping & Services

• Greektown galleries, boutiques, and import shops along Halsted Street
• West Loop art galleries and contemporary retail
• The Loop's State Street shopping corridor, a very short walk or ride east

Green Space

• Adams and Sangamon Park — about one block away
• Mary Bartelme Park — a short walk north
• Union Park — historic West Side park with a fieldhouse

Active Living

Residents have a full-featured fitness center in the building, plus easy access to nearby parks. Additional gyms and fitness studios are scattered throughout the West Loop neighborhood.

Culture Nearby

• Greektown's annual Taste of Greektown and restaurant week events
• The Loop's theater district, a very short walk or ride east
• West Loop galleries and art spaces along the surrounding streets

Nightlife & Events

Greektown to the west and Randolph Street to the north offer some of Chicago's best restaurant and nightlife options, all within easy walking distance.

Transit

• CTA bus #8 and #20 run right past the building's front doors
• UIC-Halsted CTA Blue Line station — a short walk south
• Green Line (Morgan station) — nearby
• Chicago Amtrak and Metra stations — a short walk or ride away

Driving & Air

• Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) very close by to the east
• Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) close by to the south
• Downtown Chicago and the financial district — less than a mile away
• Midway and O'Hare both approximately 15–30 minutes by car depending on traffic

Healthcare

The Illinois Medical District — home to Rush University Medical Center and UI Health — is nearby to the southwest, an easy drive or bus ride, with additional urgent-care and pharmacy options throughout the neighborhood.

Education

• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus, within reach to the south
• The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago — a short distance away
• CPS schools serving the West Loop neighborhood

Hotels for Visitors

Out-of-town guests have plenty of options nearby, from boutique hotels throughout the West Loop to larger properties in the Loop just east.

Everyday Services

• On-site Starbucks for morning coffee
• Banks and pharmacies along Green and Halsted
• Fitness studios and salons throughout the West Loop
• Dry cleaning and laundry services nearby

The Emerald Lifestyle

Life at Emerald Chicago is urban and walkable, with immediate proximity to some of the West Loop's best dining, galleries, and nightlife. Mornings might start with Starbucks in the building; afternoons bring walks to Greektown or browsing the neighborhood's art galleries; evenings mean a short stroll to acclaimed restaurants along Halsted or Walnut Street.

It suits residents who want a true downtown-adjacent location with easy Loop commutes, diverse dining options, and walkability to both cultural attractions and modern urban amenities.

A Typical Day

Morning

Coffee at the in-building Starbucks, then a quick walk or short transit ride to the Loop for work.

Afternoon

Errands at Whole Foods or browsing Greektown shops and galleries.

Evening

Dinner at one of the neighborhood's acclaimed restaurants — Blackbird, Avec, or a Greektown favorite — then back home with views of the city lights.

Ideal Residents

Loop commuters

Residents who work downtown and want a walkable or short-transit home base.

Dining and culture enthusiasts

Anyone drawn to Greektown and the West Loop's restaurant and gallery scene.

Urban lifestyle seekers

Buyers who want true downtown-adjacent living without being in the Loop itself.

Considerations

Not South Loop or Printer's Row

This is a West Loop address at Green and Monroe, not a historic South Loop loft.

Older building (2007–2008)

While not as old as converted lofts, Emerald is now 18+ years old and buyers should budget for maintenance and potential capital improvements.

Twin-tower layout

Units span two connected towers, which can create variation in views, light, and floor plans depending on location.

Advantages

1. Unbeatable location

At Green and Monroe, one block from Greektown, one block from Adams Park, very close to the Loop, and on direct CTA bus lines (#8 and #20).

2. Distinctive architecture

Twin towers connected by an impressive atrium lobby, a landmark in the neighborhood.

3. Eco-friendly building

Built with green materials and practices, with sustainable finishes and systems.

Considerations

1. Distance from the South Loop series core

A West Loop address, not part of the Printer's Row and Dearborn Park cluster.

2. Building age

Completed in 2007–2008, buyers should plan for aging building systems and potential capital assessments.

3. Unit variation

Twin-tower layout means different views, exposures, and configurations depending on which tower and floor.

In the Heart of the West Loop

Emerald sits at one of the West Loop's most central and connected corners, at the crossroads of multiple neighborhoods and building clusters. Greektown is one block west, Randolph Street's dining corridor is a short walk north, and the Loop's financial core is just east.

Nearby West Loop Residential Buildings