During the early 18th century, the settlement at Yekaterinburg was one of the Russian Empire's most easterly establishments, bordering on the Siberian frontier.

To better project military power in the area, construction of a new fortress around the Yekaterinburg settlement began on 3 March 1723, starting with the establishment of a barracks.

In 1729 the Russian government granted permission for the fortress' facilities to be expanded, allowing for the construction of an additional foundry, warehouse, mill, and bakery.

[5] In addition to producing and storing supplies needed for the local garrison, the fortress' structure helped to shape the early urban history of Yekaterinburg, with many of the fortification's gates forming the heads of future streets.

According to one source, a plan to build a new stonework fortress to replace the aging earthwork fortification was proposed but never implemented.