NEW YORK — A man who makes a habit of scaling skyscrapers told police he and his girlfriend climbed to the very top of the Empire State Building’s antenna because he wanted to do something extraordinary to pop the question, prosecutors revealed Thursday during the couple’s arraignment on felony charges.
The pair, known publicly as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, said almost nothing as they exited the courthouse. However, when a reporter asked Beerkus about the daring stunt, he offered a brief response: “We believe in love.”
Prosecutors charged the two with felony reckless endangerment, burglary, and additional offenses. Authorities say the couple — who were featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary called “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which documented their “rooftopping” adventures and growing relationship — didn’t just create a spectacle on Wednesday. They also put lives at risk by scaling the iconic skyscraper’s broadcast antenna.
Once they reached the summit, standing 1,454 feet (443 meters) above midtown Manhattan, the climbers held up a black banner bearing the message: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” The moment was captured by news helicopters circling overhead.
After rolling up the banner, the couple moved down to a slightly lower ledge, where Beerkus apparently proposed — and Nikolau said yes. She later shared photos from the adventure on her social media pages, including a striking image showing an engagement-style ring held up against a sweeping aerial view of Manhattan below.
According to the court complaint, police waited roughly 30 minutes for the antenna to be powered down before Emergency Services Unit officers began their own ascent. They eventually caught up with the climbers on their way back down. Officers climbed approximately 1,250 feet (381 meters) above street level — a detail the complaint highlighted as evidence of the danger involved. Court documents listed the couple’s legal names as Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov.
The Netflix documentary portrays Beerkus, now 32, and Nikolau, 33, climbing tall structures around the world — often without permission — and occasionally disguising themselves as construction workers to gain entry.
Investigators found a broken lock on a restricted security door on the building’s 104th floor, which is the access point for the antenna. The highest floor open to the public is the 102nd, which features an observation deck. Reaching any floor above that requires a key card, according to the complaint.
Empire State Building management has described the climb as “unauthorized” but has declined to address questions about whether the couple had any contact with security personnel before making their ascent. The building screens all visitors and prohibits large packages, sports equipment, costumes, and masks, among other items.
Both Beerkus and Nikolau were released without bail, consistent with New York state laws that limit when bail can be imposed. Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, said outside the courthouse that once the defense receives the prosecution’s evidence, the team will review it and decide how to proceed.
Krinsky also had a bit of praise for his client’s romantic ambitions. “What a way to propose — something you can only dream of,” he said. “So you’ve got to, you know, give him some credit for that.”
The Empire State Building has seen other unauthorized climbs over the years, including ascents of the antenna and other sections of the structure. One notable exception came in 2023, when actor and musician Jared Leto was given permission to climb to the base of the antenna from the 86th floor as part of a tour promotion.
