Amberwood Pleasanton: The future was weather-stripped

In 1977, while the Bee Gees were topping the charts and everyone was worried about gas prices, The William Lyon Company quietly introduced a solution to suburban sprawl with a conscience: Amberwood. This 95-home subdivision in Pleasanton wasn’t just another ranch-style rollout—it was built to conserve energy, water, and maybe even a little dignity during the post-recession squeeze.

With insulated walls, low-flow toilets, and shower heads that politely trickled, Amberwood gave Pleasanton families a taste of the efficient, resource-conscious future—whether they were ready for it or not.

From a 1977 Oakland Tribune ad—this was Pleasanton’s first flirtation with energy-efficient design, arriving just after the 1973 oil crisis.

The Jetsons in a drought

The homes at Amberwood were full of surprises.

For starters, what was a low-flow toilet, and why did it feel like a science experiment? Naturally, you flushed it twice just to be sure it worked. Showers were dialed down to 3 gallons per minute, and weather-stripped exterior doors were basically treated like high-tech gadgets.

Energy efficiency wasn’t just a selling point—it was a vibe.

Amberwood was Pleasanton’s first real brush with the idea that homes could save resources without sacrificing comfort.

Where is Amberwood, exactly?

Amberwood occupied a piece of land now mostly folded into what realtors like to call Sutter Gate. In fact, by the early 1980s, that’s the name that stuck—“Amberwood” has all but disappeared from listings, even though the homes are still very much standing (and still nicely insulated).

The model homes were located just off Sutter Gate Avenue, nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac, marked with an “M” on the original tract map. The subdivision sold out in early 1978, less than a year after opening.

Location of the Amberwood (Sutter Gate) neighborhood in Pleasanton, California.

Amberwood model homes

On April 3, 1977, Amberwood opened its three model homes, showing off the latest in 1970s eco-conscious suburban design. Topped with trendy red-tiled roofs, they made energy efficiency look almost Mediterranean.

Site of the Amberwood model homes.

Pricing history

1977 (first phase): $76,990 +
1977: $78,990 +
1978: $80,990 +

1. The Plan 82 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,815 sq. ft. Just enough room for a family, plus that avocado green fridge.

The original Plan 82 today.

2. The Plan 83 - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,103 - 2,125 sq. ft. The star of the show—some even had three-car garages, which in 1977 was practically suburban royalty.

The original Plan 83 today.

3. The Plan 81 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,592 sq. ft. Cozy, efficient, and easier to heat.

The original Plan 81 today.

A legacy that’s… well, kind of hidden

Although the Amberwood name has faded from real estate flyers, these homes helped pioneer what we now take for granted: better insulation, lower energy bills, and a sense that maybe the house itself could do some of the heavy lifting.

You won’t see “Amberwood” on Zillow today, but if you’re walking through the Sutter Gate area and spot a home with a red-tile roof, slimline garage, and suspiciously well-sealed front door—there’s a good chance you’re looking at one of the originals.

Amberwood wasn’t flashy, but it was ahead of its time.

It asked Pleasanton families to live smarter—not bigger—and somehow made a low-flow toilet feel like a marvel of modern engineering.

And let’s be honest: we’re still kind of impressed it flushed at all.