The tower’s construction was begun in 2006. The skyscraper reached 188 meters in the sky and prior to Iset Tower’s construction, Vysotsky Business Centre was the highest building in Ekaterinburg. It got its original name as a result of a competition featuring 12,000 applications. The owners of the skyscraper set up Vysotsky’s grand opening to coincide with the premier of the film “Vysotsky. Thank You for Being Alive”. The idea to name the building in honour of the famous Soviet actor and musician was something his descendants were fond of, and it was decided for the tower to bear their family name. Vladimir Vysotsky’s son Nikita arrived to witness the opening. Currently in operation at the venue of the business centre is a private museum dedicated to the singer’s life and work. Open on the upper floors of the skyscraper is a viewing point, from which visitors can gaze upon the city and its suburbs from a height of 186 meters. The observation point has no canopy and instead a see-through fence creates the illusion that visitors are not closed off. In 2013, the skyscraper began yet another tradition – the Vysotsky Steps Challenge during which participants have to hike up the 1,137 steps. And although such competitions are held in over 160 world countries, the Ekaterinburg Vertical Challenge was the first of its kind in Russia!