Jamie Lewis has lived high above the city of Chicago and felt the daily San Diego sun on her back, yet nothing compares to her brand-new view of her adopted hometown from the seventh floor of The Jackson on High.

At night, the soft pastels of the city’s nightlife and the inviting warmth of the Short North arches paint Columbus in – quite literally – a whole new light for the former OSU basketball player.

“You don’t feel like you’re in Columbus, Ohio, that’s for sure,” she said. “It’s pretty neat.”

“Pretty neat” is the small-town Ohioan’s way of being modest about a superbly impressive pad. Lewis says her new home at The Jackson isn’t so much about making a statement as it is a reward for long hours clocked.

“It’s important, when you do work hard, to reward yourself because there are days when you question yourself, ‘Why am I putting myself through this?’ Often times, you have to come home to a place you feel good about to reinforce the decisions you’ve made in your life.”

Lewis not only chose her new digs because of her lifelong friendship with The Jackson’s developer, Brad Howe, but because the safety of the complex’s underground parking garage and the convenience of the in-house Short North Fitness afforded her the urban lifestyle she desired without sacrificing comforts.

“I always wanted to be in a place where I felt safe and comfortable. I never wanted to live in a house, because I didn’t want to take care of the yard and the upkeep. This just suits me.”

With nearly half the wall space in Lewis’ condo occupied by a looking-glass view of the city skyline, minimal décor was needed to complete the aesthetic. Bungalow Home & Garden helped Lewis find some of her favorite pieces: two massive full-length mirrors, framed in wood repurposed from old boat docks.

“I don’t do well with interior decorating; I’m good at a lot of things, but not that,” she laughed. “I am not creative. I would have had no idea. Bungalow played such a big part with the design.” No matter who gets the credit, the space exudes an understated, classy vibe.

Two bathrooms flank the main room, while a small loft serves as Lewis’ home office, accessed by a non-obtrusive staircase.

“I just love the open floor plan,” Lewis said. “It allows me to live in a place like this, but not feel like it’s overdone.”

The safety of the underground parking garage and the convenience of a ground-floor fitness center and a rooftop pool set The Jackson apart from typical urban condo developments.

“It’s like a little resort,” Lewis said. “I think I am really gonna get to love the pool.”