Three generations. Over 9,000 projects.

In 1935, our founder Dick Ball was driving trolley cars for the City of Phoenix. The seats were in shambles. He stopped by a material store, taught himself upholstery, redid the trolley seats, and presented his work to the Mayor. The Mayor was so impressed he created the office of Upholsterer of the City of Phoenix — and Dick filled it.

When a new administration abolished the office to throw the work to a friend, Dick left City employment and founded Dick Ball Upholstery, doing residential furniture work. By 1945 he was building furniture from scratch — mostly commercial. In 1949 he was in full manufacturing, delivering his first restaurant project: The Stock Yards at 5009 E. Washington St. Then The Flame at 34 W. Adams St. In 1950 he built every booth and tabletop for the legendary Durant's on Central.

When Dick passed in 1970, the business carried on under his sons Les and Richard. They renamed it Ball Manufacturing Inc., repositioning to buy raw materials direct from manufacturers instead of through middlemen. Through the 80s and 90s they became a prominent manufacturer behind Denny's and IHOP — low walls, divider screens, cabinetry, booth seating, chairs and tabletops. By the 1990s they were building Host International's projects in airports across the country.

In 2003 the company became Arizona Booth & Seating LLC, and in 2012 took its current name, Architectural Seating — to move beyond hospitality and into the commercial office industry. Today, with over 9,000 projects under our belt, we're still in Phoenix, still building in-house, and still looking to be part of every design firm's team.