The original station, designed by Myron H. Church, was a brick building with some Queen Anne-style elements. 47th is typical of the other South Side Elevated Railroad elevated stations and consists of two side docks covered with tin canopies.
In July 1959, auxiliary exit stairs were added to the station.
In the early 1980s, it was decided that, given its state of disrepair, the station was to be completely replaced. In July 1981, a US$1 million project began with the demolition of the station's main entrance. In December of that same year, the southbound platform was reopened, and work began on the north platform. On May 7, 1982, it reopened in a much more utilitarian form than the original station, and normal service was resumed.
On February 21, 1993, the South Side Englewood-Jackson Park Line, formerly associated with the line to Howard to the north, is diverted by the Loop and Lake Street towards its current terminus of Harlem.
On January 9, 1994, the Green Line closed for a two-year renovation project. All stations on the line, including 47th, closed for renovation. Since 47th had been rebuilt in 1982, the station was only repainted and two elevators were built to make it accessible to people with disabilities. 47th station reopened with the rest of the Green Line on May 12, 1996.