Before you touch it you will need to determine, either from the blueprints or from a structural engineer, whether or not it is a structural component of the house. It could be supporting the second story. It may well contain plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.

You've already poked a hole in it, so look inside. See wires, pipes, ducting? Any beefy looking structure?

Money, or lots and lots of money, can make a lot of things happen.

Thanks for the comments

This is the other side

Inside

Only dust
The side has some electrical

Your second photo looks like quite a few studs together - which makes me think that this is a structural support. If it is, it can still be removed - however, it will need to be replaced by an expensive beam (especially if you want it completely recessed into your ceiling).

Can I remove like the walls and leave the actual structural part together like a smaller pillar without the niche?

" Can I remove like the walls and leave the actual structural part together like a smaller pillar without the niche? "

Maybe, maybe not. More demo will be required as we cannot tell what else is in there and the prospects of moving, or eliminating any of it.

Gonna have to replace all the floors if you remove that, and can't patch it to where it looks right. Plus the electrical etc that runs in it.

Rather than ask people here to guess at whether it's load bearing, etc., I suggest you consult a professional who can check in-person. You need to be certain regarding whether it's load bearing and what can/cannot be done with it.

Yes, load-bearing walls can be removed, but only if the load is transferred to something else, like a beam as was mentioned above. It's usually not cheap. A smaller post may work and be less expensive. Again, you need to consult a professional.

It looks like you're replacing most of the flooring, so no worries about matching existing flooring where it's being replaced. Is any part of the existing flooring you are not replacing involved? If so, do you have extra flooring material for patching?

Thanks to all, very helpful