Big X taken down from Twitter roof after San Francisco squabble

A giant, glowing X no longer marks the spot on the San Francisco high-rise that is the headquarters of 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 neighbors who complained about intrusive lights.

The move followed a post from Musk, the enigmatic billionaire who acquired the company in October for $44 billion, 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.

I would be fucking LIVID. Imagine this fucking X sign right across from your bedroom. #x #twitter pic.twitter.com/FH4nqcS8oy

— kyle (still hates elon) (@itsmefrenchy123) July 29, 2023

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.