Ralston Hall is an Italian Villa-style mansion, designed by John P. Gaynor for William Chapman Ralston, founder of the Bank of California. Carey & Co. assisted the College of Notre Dam de Nemur with a master plan for the house, which included analyzing the condition of historic elements, and assessing programmatic needs. After completing an Historic Structures Report, the firm concentrated on a study and conservation of the seriously deteriorated ballroom floor, an elaborately patterned composition of black walnut, Port Orford cedar, and mahogany.