The Vision The value of vision and a world view.

New Albany was inspired by respected business, civic and philanthropic leaders with the entrepreneurial spirit and world view to believe there was a better way to build a community. Collaborating with the best architects and land planners from Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania and The University of Virginia, Les Wexner and Jack Kessler sought to employ the best practices of timeless, iconic communities such as Cotswold, England while avoiding the pitfalls of post-World War II suburban sprawl. They visited the great country communities around the world where they found inspiration in the architecture’s centuries-old character and intrinsic relationship to the land.

Thanks to a unique public-private partnership between The New Albany Company and the City of New Albany, the community continues to grow in a way that protects its architectural integrity and natural setting while encouraging progressive 21st century infrastructure, technology, and innovation that benefits residents and businesses alike.

The New Albany Master Plan dictates smart growth with methodical attention to detail. This is achieved through the land use plan, leisure trails plan, business economic development plan, design guidelines and green initiatives. Visual standards create a cohesive and distinctive old-world aesthetic with signature white horse fencing, historic street lighting and wooden street signs.

The plan’s residential focus promotes a classic American architectural style based on 500-year-old Georgian Palladianism, while preserving open spaces, protecting natural features and offering connectivity. Its office strategy laid the blueprint for the state’s largest master-planned business park, leveraging its key assets, from natural features to seven miles of highway accessibility while enabling companies to build the facilities necessary for success and productivity. Commercial planning guidelines are designed to protect investment from the impact of unrestricted growth and build clusters of activity to encourage both commerce and connectivity.