2008 Honoree

Harlan Lee, the founder and visionary of Lee Homes, has been a homebuilder for over 50 years. As Chairman of Lee Homes, he directs the planning, design, product development and marketing of all our communities. Through his guidance and leadership the company has achieved prominence and success in a highly competitive industry. He was one of the first builders selected to participate in the Master Planned Communities of Janss Conejo, Westlake Village, Mission Viejo, Calabasas Park and Via Verde. His Joint Venture Partners have been some of the largest corporations in America: American Hawaiian Steamship Company, Bechtol Corporation, Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison Company, Janss Company, Pauley Petroleum, World Savings & Loan and Mitsubishi International. His companies have built over 6,000 homes and 1,000 apartment units over the past 49 years.

In the last decade under his leadership Lee Homes has been a leader in energy efficient homes at Village Green in Sylmar where President Clinton announced the Partnership in Advancing Technology in Housing.  Lee Homes was the first for-sale developer in Downtown Los Angeles to adaptive reuse and has completed 600 lofts since 2003. Lee Homes has also built over 1,000 homes for low and moderate income in twenty public, private partnerships and completed numerous transit oriented developments.

​Mr. Lee has been highly honored by industry and consumer groups for the excellence of his homes and he has given service to his industry and his community as a Board Member of the National Association of Home Builders and Member of the Urban Land Institute. His numerous civic and community activities include former Founder and President of the Venice Action Committee, board Member of the American Sailing Association and Board Member for the Foundation of the Junior Blind, including serving as developer for innovative camp for the Junior Blind and the Venice Family Clinic.