A couple in black masks were seen scaling the antenna spire of the Empire State Building in New York City on 1 July 2026, unfurling a banner that read “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace” before one dropped to a knee and proposed. It was a stunt that drew worldwide attention — but for followers of rooftopping, it was just the latest jaw-dropping feat from a subculture that has been climbing some of the world's tallest structures for years.
Rooftopping is an extreme activity in which people climb skyscrapers, construction cranes, bridges and other tall structures — often without permission, harnesses or safety gear — to take photographs or videos for social media. Participants are known as rooftoppers, and they seek out the highest vantage points in cities around the world. The couple arrested at the Empire State Building, identified by sources as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, are among the most famous practitioners. They are both Russian-born and starred in the 2024 Netflix documentary *Skywalkers: A Love Story*, which follows their daredevil romance.
“What is rooftopping and why do daredevils risk their lives to scale skyscrapers?”
The practice has grown over the past decade, fuelled by social media platforms such as Instagram, where dramatic images from precarious ledges attract millions of views. Rooftoppers often plan their climbs meticulously, studying security patterns and using techniques to evade guards or locked doors. The risks are enormous: a single slip can be fatal, and trespassing charges can lead to arrest. Before the Empire State Building climb, Nikolau had scaled other landmarks around the world; Beerkus had climbed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the Shanghai Tower in China. The two first collaborated in 2016 to climb the Goldin Finance 117 skyscraper in Tianjin, China.
For UK readers, rooftopping may seem a distant trend, but it has touched Britain too. In London, vigilante climbers have scaled The Shard, the London Eye and other landmarks, sometimes to protest or simply for the thrill. While no major UK rooftopping incidents have reached the same scale as the Empire State Building proposal, British authorities have warned about the dangers of trespassing on construction sites or high-rise buildings. The activity also raises questions about security at iconic buildings: if two people can climb to the top of a globally famous skyscraper without being stopped, what does that say about counter-terrorism or public safety measures? The NYPD's response — deploying a helicopter and a drone — shows the resources required to intervene.
Q: What is rooftopping? Rooftopping is the practice of illegally climbing tall buildings, cranes, bridges or monuments to take extreme photos and videos. Participants often do not use safety gear and rely on their physical skill and nerve. The trend has grown partly because social media rewards spectacular content.
Q: Why do rooftoppers take such huge risks? For some, it is about pushing personal limits and capturing unique perspectives. Many rooftoppers build large online followings, which can lead to sponsorships, media appearances or even documentaries. The couple in the Empire State Building stunt, for example, gained global fame and starred in a Netflix film.
Q: Are rooftoppers breaking the law? Yes. In most countries, climbing a building without permission constitutes trespassing. In the US, charges can include criminal trespass, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. The two at the Empire State Building were arrested and face potential legal consequences. Despite the risks, rooftoppers often view arrests as part of the game.
What happens next for Nikolau and Beerkus is unclear. As of 1 July 2026, no charges had been announced, and the NYPD had recovered the banner. Both have a history of evading serious punishment; their documentary suggests they see such climbs as artistic statements. The incident will likely prompt a security review at the Empire State Building and renew debate over whether rooftopping is a harmless stunt or a dangerous trend that could inspire copycats.