Rooted in History
For nearly a century, the Ball name has been synonymous with vision, integrity, and craftsmanship.
In 1946, Gordon and Dorothy Ball purchased the estate at the end of Camille Avenue in Alamo, California, where they raised five children and built a life rooted in family, community, and hard work.
Gordon, a second-generation contractor, founded Gordon H. Ball Co., one of the nation’s top heavy construction firms. His company—and later those run by his son and grandson—helped shape California’s landscape, building the highways, bridges, tunnels, and infrastructure that connect the state today. It’s said that one cannot drive more than 35 miles on a California highway without crossing a road built by a Ball company.
The Ball Estate became more than a home—it was a living expression of the family’s values. The property was both working ranch and gathering place, filled with horses, walnut orchards, and laughter from generations of celebrations. From local charity events and political gatherings to family weddings and community picnics, the Estate embodied the spirit of hospitality and generosity that defined the Ball family.
Dorothy Ball’s passion for design and landscaping gave the estate its signature beauty, constantly evolving and lovingly maintained over the decades. She remained at the property until her passing in 2007, leaving behind not just a home, but a legacy of stewardship, grace, and family unity.
Today, the Ball Family’s vision continues—to share this extraordinary land with others who value heritage, quality, and connection. By transforming the estate into Ball Estates, they invite new families to build their own legacies on the same soil that has supported theirs for generations.
From Past to Present
Before it became the Ball family’s beloved home, the property had already witnessed more than a century of California history.
Originally part of Alamo’s early agricultural landscape, the land was first owned by Camille Grosjean, a French drover, and later purchased by Walter Arstein, the founding president of the Antioch, Oakland & Eastern Railroad. Arstein commissioned renowned architect Arthur Brown Jr.—the mind behind San Francisco’s City Hall and Coit Tower—to design a grand estate home that would serve as a summer retreat. Completed in the early 1910s, the residence was a testament to early 20th-century craftsmanship and refinement.
Over the next decades, the estate passed through several notable owners. In 1926, Maureen D. Hutchinson—whose husband was a road-paving contractor in Oakland—purchased and extensively remodeled the home.
Later, Bert and Helen Railey, originally from Kansas City and connected to Colgate-Palmolive, made the property their residence. Each owner left an imprint, adding layers of character to the estate’s story.
When Gordon and Dorothy Ball purchased the property in 1946, they not only preserved its historic charm—they expanded its purpose. Gordon built a new office on-site, transforming part of the estate into the headquarters for his construction company. The grounds became home to horses, cattle, and black walnut orchards. The estate’s original structures—including its grand home, pool house, bar, and barns—remained the heart of family and community life.
Now, under the careful guidance of the Ball family and Branagh Development, Ball Estates enters a new era. The 60-acre property is being thoughtfully divided to preserve its natural beauty and historical integrity, offering custom home sites that allow future families to build their own dream homes while honoring the land’s extraordinary past.
Honoring the Past
The Ball Family’s vision for Ball Estates is rooted in respect—for history, for craftsmanship, and for community.
The original estate home, situated on approximately five acres, will remain intact, preserving its architecture, landscaping, and iconic gathering spaces. Surrounding the original five-acre estate, new custom homes will rise across the north and south orchards, designed and built by Branagh Development, ensuring that the same level of quality and care that defined the Ball legacy continues for generations to come.
Ball Estates is not just a development—it is a living legacy. A place where history and modern life coexist, where families can grow, gather, and create stories of their own.
