New York City police arrested two people Wednesday after they climbed the spire of the Empire State Building to stage a marriage proposal [1].
The incident highlights ongoing security vulnerabilities at major landmarks and the risks associated with high-altitude stunt performances in dense urban areas.
Angela Nikolau and a man identified by some reports as Ivan Kuznetsov and others as Ivan Beerkus scaled the Midtown Manhattan landmark on July 2, 2026 [1, 2]. Once they reached the spire, the couple unfurled a banner centered on the theme of love as part of an apparent marriage proposal [3].
Authorities detained the two individuals on charges of illegal climbing, and public-safety violations [3]. The climb bypassed building security and violated regulations designed to protect both the climbers and the public below [2].
Nikolau is known for high-profile urban climbing stunts. The specific details regarding the man's identity remain inconsistent across reports, with some sources citing the name Kuznetsov and others Beerkus [1, 2].
Police and building management have not released further details regarding the duration of the climb or the specific security breach that allowed the pair to access the spire [3]. The arrests occurred immediately following the stunt [1].
“The couple climbed the Empire State Building’s spire, unfurled a banner about love as an apparent marriage proposal.”
This event underscores the tension between viral social media stunts and urban safety protocols. By bypassing security at one of the world's most iconic buildings, the climbers demonstrated that physical barriers at major landmarks can still be breached by experienced urban explorers, potentially prompting a review of security measures for the Empire State Building.
