Cornelius Lee Alig
Architect and Real Estate Development Consultant
Cornelius M. Alig, Indiana Architect
Indianapolis, Indiana
About Cornelius Lee Alig
Cornelius “Lee” Alig is an architect and real estate development consultant based in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been licensed as an architect in the state since 1981 and has over four decades of experience in commercial, residential, and urban development.
Alig earned his Master of Architecture from Tulane University and later completed a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Planning at Columbia University. Early in his career, he co-founded HDG Architects, which focused on urban design. In 1982, he co-founded Mansur Real Estate Services, where he served as CEO for over 30 years. The company developed major projects across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois.
His work includes the development of Market Tower, Lockerbie Marketplace, the Omni Severin Hotel renovation, and the award-winning Fall Creek Place housing development. He also helped redevelop corporate offices for Anthem and Farm Bureau Insurance.
Alig served as Vice Chairman of the Regional 2020 Plan under Mayor Bart Peterson and chaired the Governor’s Residence Commission under two Indiana governors. He has held more than 15 nonprofit board positions, including with Indiana Landmarks, the Indiana State Museum, and WFYI Public Media.
Since 2019, Alig has hosted Design Minded Indiana, a radio program and podcast on WQRT 99.1 FM featuring local designers and civic leaders. He also volunteers with environmental and hunger relief organizations and contributes to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.
He continues to work as a self-employed architect through his firm, Cornelius M. Alig, Indiana Architect.
Areas of Focus
Career Background
Mansur Real Estate Services, Inc.
Education
Media
Press
Cornelius Lee Alig: Shaping Indianapolis Through Design and Development - Where Business News Meets Thought Leadership
Read the full article ›What Does Success Look Like to You? – Cornelius “Lee” Alig - Industry Elites
Read the full article ›Awards & Recognition
- Sagamore of the Wabash – Issued by the State of Indiana, January 2005
- American Institute of Architects Michigan Honor Award – Issued by AIA Michigan
- Urban Land Institute Award of Excellence – Issued by the Urban Land Institute
- Wood Design Citation Award
- ARTI Award – Issued by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, January 1991
- IBJ Forty Under 40 – Issued by the Indianapolis Business Journal, January 1992
Licenses & Certifications
- Registered Architect, State of Indiana – Issued by the State of Indiana, 1981
Charities & Volunteering
- Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. – Volunteer, January 2016 – Present
- Second Helpings – Volunteer, January 2016 – Present
- The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis – Volunteer Writer, November 2019 – Present
Boards & Memberships
- Design Arts Collective – Board Member, start date not specified – Present
- Indiana Coalition for the Arts – Board Member
- Governor’s Residence Commission – Chair, during two Indiana gubernatorial administrations
- Regional 2020 Plan – Vice Chairman, appointed under Mayor Bart Peterson
- Indiana State Museum Board of Governors – Member
- Indiana Public Broadcasting (WFYI) – Member
- Indiana Landmarks – Member
- Methodist Hospital Foundation – Member
- Tulane School of Architecture Board of Advisors – Member
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cornelius Lee Alig do?
Cornelius Lee Alig is an architect and real estate development consultant who runs his own firm, Cornelius M. Alig, Indiana Architect, in Indianapolis. He has over four decades of experience in commercial, residential, and urban development.
What is Cornelius Lee Alig known for?
Alig is known for developing major Indianapolis projects such as Market Tower, Lockerbie Marketplace, the Omni Severin Hotel renovation, and the award-winning Fall Creek Place housing development, largely through his role as longtime CEO of Mansur Real Estate Services. He has also hosted the radio program and podcast Design Minded Indiana since 2019.
Where is Cornelius Lee Alig based?
Cornelius Lee Alig is based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Where did Cornelius Lee Alig study?
Alig earned a Master of Architecture from Tulane University and a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Planning from Columbia University.
Who does Cornelius Lee Alig work for?
Alig is self-employed, working through his own firm, Cornelius M. Alig, Indiana Architect.
Last updated February 20, 2026