In the most unique landmarks ChicagoThe northwest suburb is the unexpectedly tilted tower of Niels.
This architectural curiosity is an exact half-scale version ItalyThe famous Pisa Tower is 94 feet tall, with a diameter of 28 feet and a slope of 7.4 feet. Town’s website.
But what led to the establishment of a stunning Italian tribute in the Midwest of the United States?
The tower’s origins date back to the 1920s, and entrepreneur Robert Ilg was the owner of the 22-acre Ilgair Park, which features two large outdoor pools.
Ilg needed a large amount of water towers to make the park, but his admiration for Italian design inspired him more than just a functional structure.
He chose a replica of the PISA tilting tower, which was constructed from reinforced concrete and completed in 1934.
Later, in 1960, Ilg’s family donated part of the park, including the tower, to create the sloping tower YMCA.
The donation is conditional on the YMCA allocated at least $500 in maintenance each year for 2059.
The most unique landmark in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is the unexpectedly sloping tower in Niels
This architectural curiosity is an exact half-scale version of the famous Italian Pisa Tower, 94 feet tall and 28 feet in diameter and tilted 7.4 feet incline
The funding has proven insufficient over the years, causing the tower to show signs of wear, especially cracks due to harmful freeze-thaw cycles in the area.
The village of Niles recognizes the historical and cultural significance of the tower and takes positive measures to preserve it.
In 1991, the village established a sister city relationship with Pisa, Italy, strengthening its ties with the original monument.
Subsequently, in 1995, the village signed a lease agreement for the tower with the YMCA and launched a comprehensive $1.2 million renovation project.
This extensive work involves vital structural repairs, updated lighting systems on all eight floors, creating a new plaza with four fountains, a 30-foot-tall reflective pool, a classic telephone booth, and significantly enhanced the landscaping.
The newly renovated sloped tower square was officially dedicated on June 26, 1997.
The importance of the tower was further officially recognized in 2019 when it received a list listed by the National Park Service in the National Historic List.
The nomination was unanimously approved by the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Committee and secured its position on the prestigious list in April.
The funding has proven insufficient over the years, causing the tower to show signs of wear, especially cracks due to harmful freeze-thaw cycles in the area.
Now open to the public, the tilted tower of Niels encourages visitors to take photos and relax in the nearby picturesque square.
The name not only recognizes the architectural and cultural value of the tower, but also provides valuable incentives for ongoing preservation and increased public awareness.
In recent years, initiatives to restore and potentially reopen towers have gathered.
The full recovery of the historic bell was completed in December, a major milestone.
Seven bells were successfully restored to play the full music scale and reinstalled in the tower, while the other two, considered ruthless, are now showing information patches on the ground.
Further improvements include the installation of higher safety railings on the sidewalks and substantial concrete restoration efforts, which further enhances the long-term integrity of the structure.
Today, the tower’s restoration bell rings every day at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., performing melodies like “Red River Valley,” “My Favorite Things,” “My Favorite Things,” and custom tunes for every 15 minutes of niles.
Now open for public enjoyment, the tilted tower of Niels encourages visitors to take photos and relax in the nearby picturesque square.