Leaning Tower of Niles — Attraction in Niles Township

Leaning Tower of Niles. A structure that defies gravity, and a beacon of forgotten histories. Beneath its shadow, the abandoned Leaning Tower YMCA stands—an entryway to a realm where reality dissolves. Liminal Hell. A place where time ceases, corridors stretch endlessly, and the silence is deafening.

This location is special. Not because of its history, but because of what it became. The walls have witnessed more than just decay—they’ve absorbed echoes of the unspeakable. Each creak in the floorboards, every flicker of light, tells a story written in shadows. I’ve filmed here countless times, yet every visit uncovers new depths. It's as if the place is alive, shifting and responding, revealing its secrets one frame at a time.

For those who seek more than just a backdrop, the Leaning Tower YMCA offers an experience, a confrontation with the unknown. Here, you don’t just capture footage; you capture echoes of something far darker, something that lingers long after the cameras stop rolling. This is where the lines blur, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, where you come face to face with the essence of...

If you are visiting Niles downtown or the Costco nearby, please stop at this amazing monument and spend sometime here.

Located in Niles, Illinois, just a short drive from downtown Chicago, the Leaning Tower of Niles stands as a delightful and unexpected landmark—a half-size replica of Italy’s iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Standing at 94 feet tall and 28 feet in diameter, this quirky yet elegant structure is both a nod to European architectural history and a symbol of community pride.

A Bit of History

The tower was built in 1934 by industrialist Robert Ilg, founder of the Ilg Hot Air Electric Ventilating Company. Originally, it served a practical purpose—it covered water tanks used for the recreational park Ilg had created for his employees. But Ilg’s vision was larger than function; he wanted to evoke the charm of Italy and bring a bit of the Old World to the American Midwest. Modeled closely after the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the structure even mimics its...

The saddest thing about this landmark is how overlooked it is, as it’s on a mega busy main drag through several of Chicago’s northern suburbs where suburbia development has drowned it out. It’s been here since 1934, when artistic novelties were the norm. I’ve passed by this tower all my life and never even noticed this charming work of art until now. Chicagoland has many “hidden gems in plain sight” like this, and only recently has this place started to receive the popularity it deserves. This tower reminds me of the lovely things in life that are easy to miss, yet right in front of me. I recommend you stop here and take a moment to pause, take photos, and remember how fun life...