Niles Begins Redevelopment Near Iconic Leaning Tower

The Village of Niles, Illinois, has begun demolishing the former Leaning Tower YMCA residential building, with the process ceremonially initiated by Mayor George Alpogianis. The demolition is part of a major redevelopment project to transform the area into a mixed-use development with new retail, dining, and entertainment options, anchored by the iconic 90-year-old Leaning Tower of Niles. The YMCA facility, closed in 2021 due to rising maintenance costs, was purchased by the village in 2024 for over $2 million. The Leaning Tower itself, built in 1934 and a beloved local landmark, will remain intact as the centerpiece of the new development. This redevelopment is part of the village’s Comprehensive 2040 Plan and coincides with a separate $440 million project to redevelop the Golf Mill Town Center. Village officials emphasize the ongoing importance of the Leaning Tower as a historic and cultural landmark.