Couple scales Empire State Building, proposes at the spire
A pair known for high-risk climbs reached the Empire State Building's transmitter, displayed a peace banner and became engaged before police escorted them down.
Police in New York City reported that a couple identified as 33-year-old Angela Nikolau and 32-year-old Ivan Beerkus ascended the transmitter atop the Empire State Building on Wednesday afternoon. While at the spire they unfurled a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace," a phrase derived from a 19th-century quotation.
After spending several minutes at the top, Beerkus proposed to Nikolau, who accepted and displayed the engagement ring as they descended. Officers who reached the spire placed the pair into custody shortly before 1 p.m.
The Empire State Building issued a statement noting that the incident posed no danger to tenants, visitors or observation-deck guests, and highlighted that the venue has been used for memorable marriage proposals in the past.
Nikolau and Beerkus have previously been featured in the 2024 documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," which chronicles their unauthorized climbs worldwide. Their actions follow earlier unauthorized ascents of the building’s antenna, though actor Jared Leto was permitted to climb to the base of the antenna in 2023 for promotional purposes.
