[8] Yuri Shefler, a Russian billionaire who heads the SPI Group, is one of the main proponents of the project.

[7] The SPI Group owns the Stolichnaya brand of vodka, which is made in Latvia.

[7][1] It also has an interest in Latvijas Balzams, Latvia's largest producer of alcoholic beverages.

[1] The building complex was originally marketed toward people from Russia and other nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States who were looking for access to the European Union and its banking system.

[7][1] The website for the project also had instructions for potential clients on how to obtain residency via the purchase of real estate.