THE EMERALD
FOOD MARKET | EVENT SPACE | RETAIL | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Introducing: The Emerald
A former South Side Swedish Lodge, storied 99‑year‑old building
The 25,000‑square‑foot campus will house:
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A 5,500 sq ft food hall spotlighting Englewood's culinary talent
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A 7,000 sq ft ballroom for community celebrations, cultural events, and private functions
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A state‑of‑the‑art clean‑energy training center delivering industry‑recognized credentials and career pathways for local residents
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New GE Chamber and Foundation headquarters​
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Community members, foundations and corporate partners are invited to join the $9 million campaign to fund renovations, equipment and early programming.
Donations can be made online at www.gechamber.com/giving or contact us directly by emailing connect@geccf.org.
"The Emerald is strategically designed to address critical needs in our community. The clean energy training center will equip residents with valuable skills for a growing industry, creating pathways to sustainable employment. Coupled with the retail space and food hall, The Emerald will be an economic engine, generating jobs and attracting visitors to Englewood. This project is about empowering our community from within."
Felicia Slaton-Young, Co-founder & Executive Director of the GE Chamber Foundation
“The Emerald is a launchpad for the future—a place where science, design, and community come together to shape what’s next. It’s not just a development; it’s a living ecosystem of innovation. From clean energy to culinary creativity, it gives our youth the tools to not only imagine a better tomorrow—but to build it. As a technologist and designer, I see The Emerald as a prototype for how we empower communities to rise—through knowledge, opportunity, and a vision rooted in human progress. This is where transformation begins.”
Donnell Layne, Board Member, Greater Englewood Chamber Foundation | Co-CEO, TwinFlame Ventures | Founder, Catalyst Design Studios
The Emerald is more than just a development—it's a beacon of progress, resilience, and opportunity for Englewood and the entire South Side of Chicago. It builds on the incredible work already happening in Englewood, contributing to the momentum of revitalization, economic empowerment, and community-driven change. As a Board Member of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Englewood Chamber Foundation, I am dedicated to championing projects that uplift our neighborhoods and create lasting wealth for generations to come. Englewood’s transformation is well underway—the Emerald represents a powerful next step in that journey."
Cassandra (Ms.Cass) Sneed is a Local REALTOR®, Current Board Member for the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce | Englewood Chamber Foundation, and the Vice Chair for the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Diversity Committee, otherwise known as "D77"
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