The iconic X that once illuminated the headquarters of Elon Musk’s messaging company X, previously known as Twitter, has been removed from the San Francisco skyline.
The installation, which was placed atop the firm’s building on Market Street, triggered 24 complaints to the city’s building department over the weekend. Residents expressed dissatisfaction, citing the blinding lights as a major disruption.
This action came shortly after Musk publicly affirmed his commitment to keeping the company in San Francisco, despite what he described as a troubling trend of businesses departing from the area. “Beautiful San Francisco, though others forsake you, we will always be your friend,” he stated in a social media post.
However, the radiant X’s tenure was brief.
On Monday morning, inspectors from the Department of Building Inspection confirmed that the structure was being taken down. An agency spokesperson indicated that the property owner would incur fees due to the unauthorized installation of the illuminated sign.
X officials claimed the decision to remove the sign was voluntary.
Locals captured footage over the weekend, showcasing the X’s vibrant and pulsating lights, which drew criticism from many who found its brightness to be intrusive. One user expressed outrage over the sign’s proximity to residential spaces, stating it would be maddening to have such a bright logo visible from their bedroom window.
Another user voiced disappointment regarding the apparent disregard for public comfort, lamenting the lack of consideration involved in the installation.
During the weekend, an inspector noted in a report that company representatives had twice denied access to city officials who were attempting to inspect the logo. One representative reportedly indicated that the sign was temporary.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
