Big X taken down from Twitter roof after San Francisco squabble

AFP

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 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.

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.

More from Business

  • Musk-led group makes $97.4 bln bid for control of OpenAI

    A consortium led by Elon Musk offered $97.4 billion (AED 357 trillion) to buy the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, another salvo in the billionaire's fight to block the artificial intelligence startup from transitioning to a for-profit firm.

  • DEWA announces record AED 30.98 bln revenue

    Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recorded consolidated full year revenue, for 2024, of AED 30.98 billion, EBITDA of AED 15.70 billion and net profit after tax of AED 7.24 billion.

  • Aviation sector contributes $4.1 trillion to global economy

    The UAE's Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), on Monday emphasised the aviation sector's critical role in the global economy, noting that it accounts for 12 to 13 per cent of GDP in some countries and supports millions of jobs worldwide.

  • Paris AI summit draws world leaders

    World leaders and technology executives are convening in Paris on Monday to discuss how to safely embrace artificial intelligence at a time of mounting resistance to red tape that businesses say stifles innovation.

  • 16% growth in new economic licences in Abu Dhabi during 2024

    The Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA), which develops and regulates the business sector, on Monday revealed significant growth in business licences and compliance indicators in the Emirate's mainland and non-financial economic free zones during 2024.