It is gone. A giant, glowing X no longer marks the spot on the San Francisco high-rise that is headquarters to Elon Musk's messaging company X, formerly known as Twitter.
The city building department logged 24 complaints after a
weekend of the big X, which on Friday was erected on the roof of the company's
downtown San Francisco headquarters, on Market Street, to the chagrin of
neighbours who complained about intrusive lights.
The move followed a post from Musk, the enigmatic
billionaire who acquired the company in October for $44 billion (roughly Rs.
3,37,465 crore), announcing the newly named firm would remain in San Francisco
despite what he termed the city's recent "doom spiral, with one company
after another left or leaving."
"Beautiful San Francisco, though others forsake you, we
will always be your friend," Musk wrote.
But the big X didn't stay long.
"This morning, building inspectors observed the
structure being dismantled," a spokesperson from the city Department of
Building Inspection said by email on Monday. "The property owner will be
assessed fees for the unpermitted installation of the illuminated
structure."
X said the removal was voluntary.
Locals over the weekend recorded video of the giant X
glowing, pulsing and strobing, with some criticizing its intrusive lights.
X user @itsmefrenchy123 said they would be "LIVID"
over the bright logo, imagining it "right across from your bedroom."
"I'm just astounded at the flagrant lack of
consideration for anyone ever," wrote X user @DollyMarlowe.
Over the weekend a Department of Building Inspection
inspector wrote in a report that company representatives denied roof access,
twice, to city officials seeking to inspect the logo.
The inspector noted one representative said the sign was
temporary. © Reuters