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Skinny building falling into San Antonio River?
Just four blocks West of the Alamo is a tall optical illusion considered by many tourists as an unexpected highlight of touring the famous Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio, Texas.
Narrator barge pilots on Rio San Antonio River Tours know just right time and place to see the illusion on the North bank of the river.
As barges pass under the Navarro Street Bridge, narrators suggest passengers look up and to the left at the Nix Professional Building, just above Dick's Last Resort.
"Ewws and ahhs are prevelant at this point on the River," laughs resident Bobbi Shipman. "Locals enjoy hearing and seeing paseenger reactions almost as much as tourists do who discover the view of what looks like a skinny building about to fall on them."
The Nix Building was built in 1931 and touted as the first hospital ever inside a skyscraper. It was also the first building with a parking garage, hospital beds and doctor's offices in the same facility. The 23 story structure is built in the Art Deco architecural style. The Riverwalk side of the building is cut off diagonally on the South wall, creating the optical illusion of a flat wall.



Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
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Becky Smith (not verified)at 14:43 on November 17th, 2009
I delivered my first child at the Nix, had me under so many drugs I guess I didn't notice it swaying !!
at 15:02 on November 17th, 2009
Good drugs Becky! Thanks for your comments.
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Jo Gordon (not verified)at 06:22 on November 18th, 2009
I enjoyed this part of the river barge ride, it's a cool little optical illusion. But I would suggest spell check and proof-reading before publishing your work for the world to see.
at 07:42 on November 18th, 2009
Thanks. You are correct. I am a novice to NowPublic and pushed publish too quick before I proofread. I still have not learned how to edit (if it's possible) after publication but I will remedy this by typing everything on Microsoft Word first...then proofreading and spell checking. I regret this and have learned from it. I appreciate your comments.