Cornelius “Lee” Alig is an architect, real estate development consultant, and civic leader from Indianapolis, Indiana. He has spent over 40 years shaping the city he calls home. His work can be seen across downtown—office towers, historic renovations, residential neighborhoods, and more.
Lee graduated from Park Tudor School in 1973. He earned his architecture degrees from Tulane University and Columbia University. He came back to Indianapolis with a strong education and a goal: to help build a better city.
He started his career by co-founding HDG Architects. Then in 1982, he launched Mansur Real Estate Services. As CEO, he led the company through major developments across Indiana and the Midwest. These included Market Tower, the Omni Severin Hotel, Lockerbie Marketplace, and Fall Creek Place—a nationally recognized urban redevelopment project.
Lee believes that good design and smart planning create stronger communities. That mindset led to his public service. He served as Vice Chairman of the Regional 2020 Plan and chaired the Governor’s Residence Commission under two Indiana governors. He has held leadership roles on over 15 nonprofit boards.
Today, Lee runs his own architecture firm and hosts Design Minded Indiana, a podcast and radio show about local design and culture. He also gives back through volunteering with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Second Helpings, and the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.
His career has earned him many honors, including Indiana’s Sagamore of the Wabash and the Urban Land Institute Award of Excellence. Through work, service, and design, Lee Alig continues to help shape the future of his city.
Q&A with Cornelius “Lee” Alig: Redefining Success Through Architecture, Leadership, and Community
Cornelius “Lee” Alig has been shaping Indianapolis for more than four decades. As an architect, real estate developer, and civic leader, he’s led major commercial projects, chaired commissions, and helped revitalize neighborhoods. But success, for him, hasn’t just been about tall buildings or prestigious titles—it’s about long-term impact and meaningful engagement with the city he calls home.
We sat down with Lee to talk about how he defines success, what he’s learned from his journey, and what advice he has for others navigating their own paths.
When you think about “success,” what does that word mean to you today?
Success used to mean making sure the building stood up and the financing held together. That was my mindset in my 30s and 40s—just getting the project across the finish line. Now, I think of success in longer cycles. Did the neighborhood thrive after we built there? Do people still want to live, work, or gather in that space? I think if your work can outlast trends and serve real needs, that’s success.
You’ve had a long career in both architecture and development. How do you measure personal success in your career?
For me, one clear moment was Fall Creek Place. That project wasn’t easy. It was a big challenge—redeveloping an urban neighborhood, making it livable again, bringing in new families without pushing out the old ones. We didn’t just build homes—we built trust. Seeing people raise their families there years later—that’s personal success.
Also, when people I mentored went on to lead their own firms or development companies. That’s legacy. Not your name on a plaque, but seeing your influence ripple through others.
You’ve served on many public commissions and nonprofit boards. How do you define success in public service versus business?
Business is about solving a problem efficiently. Government and nonprofit work often solve the same problems—but slower, and with more people involved. You’re not always aiming for the fastest solution. You’re trying to get buy-in, equity, and long-term value.
When I was Vice Chairman of the Regional 2020 Plan, it wasn’t about one building. It was about shaping how the whole city would grow—where transit went, where green space was preserved, where people could afford to live. That kind of planning takes patience and humility. If you’re successful, the reward might not show up until 10 years later.
Has your idea of success changed over time?
Definitely. Early on, I thought it was about building the tallest building or closing the biggest deal. In my 30s, Market Tower was a big win. So was redeveloping Omni Severin Hotel. But now I get more satisfaction from smaller-scale things—like hosting a meaningful conversation on my podcast or helping plant trees with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
Success isn’t just scale. It’s about alignment. Are your actions lining up with what matters to you? That’s something I had to learn slowly.
What’s a project that felt like a success but didn’t look like one at first?
Lockerbie Marketplace comes to mind. It wasn’t flashy, and the site had a lot of constraints. There were zoning issues, nearby historic buildings, and parking limitations. But we worked through it, got community input, and created something useful for local businesses. Almost forty years later, it’s still active and functional.
Another example: co-producing a short film called Support Your Local Catapult. It’s about high school students in the 1960s building Roman siege weapons. Sounds odd, right? But it spoke to education, experimentation, and storytelling. The response was surprisingly positive, and it reminded me that not all success is conventional.
How do you advise others—especially young professionals—on defining or reaching success?
First, don’t chase someone else’s idea of success. A lot of younger professionals think success is about visibility or awards. Those are nice, but they fade. Look for impact. Did you make something better?
Second, learn how to listen—especially in design or planning. If you’re not hearing the people who live in the space you’re designing, you’re missing half the picture.
And third, try different things. I never thought I’d host a podcast. I started Design Minded Indiana to talk with other designers and creatives, and now it’s a key part of how I stay connected to the city. Don’t be afraid to explore sideways paths.
Looking back, what habits or mindsets helped you succeed long term?
Two things: staying curious and staying involved. I’ve never stopped asking how cities work or how people interact with space. That curiosity keeps the work fresh.
And staying involved—whether it’s on a board, in a volunteer group, or just showing up to neighborhood meetings—has always kept me grounded. If you’re not close to the people your work affects, your work eventually stops being relevant.