Crews began Monday to demolish the Leaning Tower YMCA building in Niles that is adjacent to the iconic landmark of the same name, paving the way for the village to begin a sprawling mixed-use redevelopment.
Village of Niles officials, including mayor George Alpogianis, were onsite at 6300 W. Touhy Avenue as the wrecking work officially began. In a ceremonial move to kick off the demolition, Alpogianis was set to operate the wrecking ball.
The YMCA had been built near the Leaning Tower after a land donation in 1960.
“This event marks a significant step in the Village’s renaissance plan to revitalize the area surrounding the historic Leaning Tower of Niles,” officials stated in a news release announcing the start of demolition.
According to the release, in March 2024, the village purchased the 6.6-acre YMCA property for $2.1 million looking to turn the site into a mixed-use development that would include retail, dining, and entertainment. Also planned is creation of a pedestrian-friendly plaza anchored by the Leaning Tower of Niles, the 90-year-old half-scale replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
Niles officials call the redevelopment a complement to the village’s Comprehensive 2040 Plan “to enhance community spaces and economic growth,” the release explains.
