Oakland's Mayor Jerry Brown named this development the "greenest" multi-family site around. The Green City Lofts were designed by Swatt Architects for sustainability, as developer Martin Samuels proved by using building products that are healthy for the occupants and the environment.

An example of this environmentally friendly design includes the concrete foundation's cement, up to 25% of which is fly ash, a recycled material from coal power plant smokestacks. There is also stainless steel framing, which saves trees, and is more durable and less susceptible to pests. Additionally, rain water runoff is collected for use in landscape irrigation.

Green City Lofts is made up of 62 units in 5 exquisite buildings. Floor plans include Green City Lofts 1bedroom/1 bath flats, Green City Lofts 1 bedroom/1.5 bath townhouses, and Green City Lofts 1+ bedroom/1.5 bath and Green City Lofts 2 bedroom/2 bath lofts. Spanning between 500 to 2,000 square feet (approx.), 31 units are in Oakland and 31 are in Emeryville.

Each home at The Green City Lofts includes an "environmentally aware" selection of cabinetry, flooring, doors and paint. There are 84 car parking spaces (four of which are wired for electric vehicles) and 46 bicycle parking spaces.