In an era of skyscraper frenzy, where the world’s metropoles compete for the record of the tallest tower (with buildings as high as 1000m being reportedly under construction), a young businessman from Russia has envisioned a different kind of architectural landmark. 37-year-old Vasily Klyukin, founder of the successful Sovcombank and manager of the real estate fund K2H, has been working for the past year on a conceptual architecture project that means to give a legendary status to the skyscrapers and other iconic buildings we erect in our cities.

The whole project began after Klyukin bought a small building in Monaco, which he then wished to replace with a tall tower that would become a landmark for the Principate. In order to convince Prince Albert II, he began drawing original skyscrapers and towers with the aim of creating the most impressive and beautiful architectural landmark befitting the prestigious city-state. After working day and night for months and with the help of his friends, Klyukin (who has no formal training in architecture) came up with numerous highly ambitious designs for iconic buildings and towers, ranging from residential buildings to opera houses and hotels – all a manifestation of his firm belief that ”every serious building, in addition to a concept, should have its own story or legend.”