The Embry West Loop: Chicago's Most Distinctive Luxury Condo Building
Is The Embry the most impressive luxury condo building in Chicago's West Loop?
THE SHORT ANSWER
The Embry at 21 N. May Street is a 16-story, 58-unit luxury condo building in the heart of the West Loop, developed by Sulo Development with interiors by renowned designer Kara Mann. With residences ranging from roughly 1,800 to over 5,187 square feet and prices from $1.4 million to over $7 million, it sets a new standard for refined living in Downtown Chicago.
What Is The Embry?
Quick Facts About The Embry
• Address: 21 N. May Street, Chicago
• Neighborhood: West Loop
• Developer: Sulo Development
• Interior Designer: Kara Mann
• Architect: Lamar Johnson Collaborative
• Stories: 16
• Residences: 58
• Unit Sizes: 1,800 to 5,187+ square feet
• Price Range: Approximately $1.4M to $7.5M
• HOA Range: Roughly $575 to $3,413 monthly
• Residence Types: Two to four bedroom condos, duplexes, penthouses
If you follow new development in the West Loop, you've heard the name. The Embry is not your average Downtown Chicago condo building
It's boutique. It's architecturally distinct. And it was designed from the ground up to feel like nothing else on the market.
The building sits at 21 N. May Street, just steps from the energy of Randolph and Madison Streets. Its 16-story dark bronze art deco exterior actually changes color depending on how the sun hits it. That detail alone tells you this was not a build-it-fast project. Every detail feels intentional.
The building was developed by Sulo Development, the same team behind the beloved Hayden, designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative, with interiors meticulously crafted by renowned designer Kara Mann. That combination produced something genuinely special in the Downtown Chicago condo market.
How The Embry Compares to Other West Loop Luxury Buildings
The Embry
Boutique luxury feel, Kara Mann interiors, oversized layouts, strong architectural identity.
The Hayden
Ultra private luxury residences with larger home style layouts and lower density living.
No. 9 Walton
Gold Coast ultra luxury tower with hotel style service and amenities.
CA6
Modern boutique luxury with a more contemporary aesthetic and Fulton Market proximity.
What Makes the Interiors Stand Out?
Walk into a unit at The Embry and the difference is immediate.
Every home includes a herringbone entry foyer, arched doorways, Atelier Jouvence Fireplaces, Bovelli Cabinetry, Lefroy Brooks fixtures, and appliances by Miele, Wolf, and Sub-Zero. These are not builder-grade finishes dressed up with staging. This is the real thing.
Ceiling heights reach 10 feet in the main living areas and bedrooms. Oversized low-E glass windows flood every room with natural light. The duplex residences feature an architectural staircase and arched entry openings that add genuine character you rarely find in a high-rise.
Other finishing details worth noting: heated radiant flooring, quartzite countertops, pre-wired home audio and video systems, and multi-zoned HVAC. These are the details that buyers at this price point expect, and The Embry delivers.
The Embry feels less like a traditional condo tower and more like a private luxury residence elevated above the city.
How Big Are the Residences?
This is true large scale luxury living, not compressed square footage marketed as premium.
The Embry offers 58 residences ranging from 1800 to over 5,187 square feet, including four coveted duplexes and two penthouse units. Floor plans run from two-bedroom to four-bedroom plus den configurations.
The building was designed inside out, with a focus on column-free unit layouts, large private terraces, and unobstructed views. Lower-level units engage the tree-lined street, while upper-level units have oversized terraces with east-facing city skyline views.
For buyers who want space, privacy, and outdoor living high above the city, this building was engineered for exactly that.
Inventory at The Embry remains limited due to the building's boutique size and strong owner retention.
Browse active MLS listings, current pricing, and available floor plans below.
What Are the Amenities?
The Embry is not trying to compete with a 500-unit high-rise on sheer amenity count. It is a highly curated luxury building, and the amenities reflect that. They're curated, not crammed.
In boutique West Loop luxury buildings, buyers increasingly prioritize privacy and curated amenities over mega tower amenity floors.
Residents enjoy an open-air firepit oasis, an indoor and outdoor fitness center with a putting green, and a luxe owner's lounge. The double-height lobby with 24-hour door staff creates a sense of arrival that stands apart in the West Loop.
Additional amenities include an open covered terrace, lounge space, a game area, a dog run and spa, and an oversized chess board. For buyers who value a refined residential experience over a resort-style mega-complex, The Embry hits the mark.
What Is the Price Range at The Embry?
Units at The Embry range from approximately $1.4 million to $7.5 million. That spread reflects the building's variety, from well-priced two-bedrooms to sprawling penthouse residences with spectacular skyline views.
HOA fees range from roughly $575 to $3,413 per month depending on unit size, and the average annual property tax has run around $60,000. At this price point, total monthly costs matter. Don't just look at the purchase price.
For context on the broader West Loop market, West Loop median condo prices were sitting around $535,000 in early 2026, with Fulton Market often commanding a premium price per square foot. The Embry operates well above that median, serving a buyer with a different set of priorities entirely.
Why Does the West Loop Make Sense for a Building Like This?
The West Loop is not a neighborhood that peaked. It's still building momentum.
West Loop is widely considered one of the strongest real estate investment areas in Chicago. Rapid transformation, corporate relocation into Fulton Market, and continued demand have kept it that way.
The Embry sits steps from Restaurant Row on Randolph Street and within easy reach of Fulton Market, the Loop, and major transportation. For buyers who want luxury without giving up urban energy, that address matters.
The pricing trajectory tells the story. Buyers who asked the right questions early and had the courage to act are the ones who came out ahead in this neighborhood. The West Loop rewards conviction.
For buyers searching for Downtown Chicago condos at the luxury tier, the West Loop address is hard to beat.
Is The Embry Right for You as a Seller?
If you own a unit at The Embry and you're thinking about selling, a few things matter more than anything else.
First, pricing at this level is not about comps from the broader West Loop. It's about the building itself and the specific characteristics of your unit, floor level, exposure, terrace size, and finish selections. Buying a condo a luxury condo in the West Loop Chicago is different from other Downtown Chicago neighborhoods.
Second, the buyer pool for a $2 million-plus West Loop condo is specific. They are comparing your unit to every other boutique luxury residences in the city. Your marketing has to match the caliber of the product.
Third, timing and presentation are everything. A building this distinctive deserves a listing strategy that leads with what makes it exceptional, not a generic high-rise description.
Across boutique condo sales in the West Loop, buyers at this price point are highly sensitive to presentation, finish quality, and outdoor space.
Key Takeaways
- The Embry at 21 N. May Street is a 16-story, 58-unit luxury condo building in the West Loop, developed by Sulo Development with interiors by Kara Mann.
- Residences range from approximately 1,800 to over 5,187 square feet, with prices from $1.4 million to over $7.5 million.
- Standout finishes include herringbone foyers, arched doorways, Atelier Jouvence fireplaces, Bovelli cabinetry, and Miele, Wolf, and Sub-Zero appliances.
- Amenities include a firepit oasis, indoor and outdoor fitness, putting green, dog spa, and 24-hour door staff.
- The West Loop location puts residents steps from Randolph's Restaurant Row, Fulton Market, and Downtown Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Embry in Chicago? The Embry is a 16-story, 58-unit luxury condominium building at 21 N. May Street in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood. It was developed by Sulo Development with interior design by Kara Mann and features residences ranging from approximately 1,800 to over 5,187 square feet.
How much do condos at The Embry cost? Residences at The Embry range from roughly $1.4 million to $7.5 million depending on size, floor level, and unit type. Penthouse and duplex residences command the highest prices.
What are the HOA fees at The Embry West Loop? HOA fees at The Embry range from approximately $575 to $3,413 per month, depending on unit size and type.
Who designed The Embry? The building's architecture was designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative. Interior design was curated by renowned designer Kara Mann, who created three distinct color palettes for buyers to choose from.
Is The Embry a good investment in the West Loop? The Embry is a boutique luxury building in one of Chicago's strongest-appreciating neighborhoods. Limited inventory, curated design, and the West Loop's continued growth all support long-term value. Schedule a private consultation with us before making any purchase or sale decision.
Thinking about buying or selling at The Embry?
This is a building where details matter and pricing strategy matters even more.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christine Hancock is a Chicago Realtor with @properties Christie's International Real Estate, bringing more than 25 years of experience and over $200 million in closed sales in the Downtown Chicago condo market. With 97 five-star Zillow reviews, Christine is recognized for her commitment to client satisfaction and market expertise.
She specializes in high-rise and luxury condominium sales in West Loop, South Loop, River North, and Streeterville, helping buyers and sellers navigate complex transactions with data-driven pricing strategies and deep neighborhood insight.
Christine partners with clients to evaluate market trends, position properties competitively, and make confident, informed decisions in Chicago's vibrant downtown housing market.
Call or text 312-296-9300 to discuss current market conditions or your real estate goals.
