Dublin's Brighton Circle: 1962–1964 homes & subdivision history

Photo of the Nantucket model, a single-story home built between 1962 and 1964 on Brighton Circle in Dublin. The house features ornate trim, a low-pitched roof, shuttered windows, and decorative detailing that reflects the early '60s trend toward Colonial and Cape Cod–inspired suburban styling.

Welcome to Brighton Circle

In the early 1960s, Brighton Circle in Dublin stood as a promise of modern suburban life—an optimistic vision of comfort, community, and upward mobility. Built by Volk-McLain between 1962 and 1964, this 527-home neighborhood was once hailed as a fresh beginning east of the new I-680. It offered spacious lots, updated designs, and conveniences tailored to the mid-century family.

Aerial map showing the location of the Brighton Circle neighborhood in Dublin, California. The view highlights the circular street layout of Brighton Circle, surrounded by residential homes, nearby cross streets, and local landmarks. Major roads and surrounding neighborhoods provide geographic context within the city.
Map of the Brighton Circle neighborhood in Dublin, California.

A dream for the middle class

At a time when the average home was around 1,200 square feet, Brighton Circle offered homes as large as 1,475 sq. ft.—spacious, modern, and attainable. Priced from just $14,995 with a $295 down payment, it wasn’t just affordable—it felt like a miracle. Homes came with wall-to-wall carpeting, garbage disposals, copper plumbing, and built-in ovens. These weren’t luxury touches today—they were symbols of progress in 1962.

And buyers responded: more than 50 homes were sold in the opening week alone.

Black-and-white newspaper photo from a 1962 Oakland Tribune showing crowds gathered to view the new model homes in Dublin. Families and prospective buyers are seen walking along freshly paved streets, exploring the homes and admiring the modern suburban designs, capturing the excitement of a grand opening event.
From a 1962 Oakland Tribune—the power lines tower overhead, a reminder that in 1962, utility infrastructure hadn’t yet gone underground. But there’s a bit of design grace at play: they ran through backyards, preserving the picture-perfect curb appeal out front.

More than houses—a community blueprint

Brighton Circle wasn’t just another tract. Volk-McLain envisioned an entire ecosystem: two elementary schools built into the neighborhood were meant to serve double-duty as open space and play areas, since formal parks weren’t included. It was practical, family-focused, and rooted in the belief that neighborhoods should be lived in, not just passed through.

Architect Raymond Dean Conwell, AIA, designed the homes with gentle variety: some featured X-timber bracing, others had large front picture windows or extended gable roofs. It was enough to give the neighborhood rhythm—enough to make it feel personal. Yet, it wasn't hard to see these homes were fundamentally similar as Volk-McLain's earlier tract, San Ramon Village. In fact, the neighborhood is now known as such, while the Brighton Circle name has faded away.

Black-and-white 1962 Oakland Tribune newspaper ad showcasing a list of eight homes available for inspection in the Dublin area. The ad includes small illustrations or photos of each model home’s original exterior, along with their names, key features like number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and promotional text inviting buyers to tour the properties.
From a 1962 Oakland Tribune ad—a list of all 8 homes up for inspection with their original looks.

The homes came with numerous mid-century conveniences, including:

  • Wall-to-wall carpeting
  • Built-in ranges and ovens
  • Garbage disposals
  • Copper piping
  • Modern insulation

Volk-McLain emphasized variety in design, distancing Brighton Circle from the uniformity criticized in their earlier subdivision (San Ramon Village). Advertisements highlighted the neighborhood as a “completely new, modern, and safe community” that offered tranquil living. The first unit of 229 homes sold briskly.

Black-and-white 1963 Oakland Tribune newspaper ad featuring a bold headline declaring “This Isn’t Your Typical Tract Home!” The ad promotes unique, stylish homes in Dublin with mid-century modern design elements, emphasizing quality construction and thoughtful layouts, distinguishing the community from standard mass-built developments.
From a 1963 Oakland Tribune ad—a subtle example of how tract home advertising often walked a tightrope between truth and aspiration. Call it suburban stagecraft.

The homes of Brighton Circle

A sales complex along the south side of Sutton Lane welcomed eager buyers with eight decorated model homes. While there were only five base plans—D, E, J, L, and M—Volk-McLain cleverly presented alternate elevations to give the illusion of more variety. Buyers could walk through the same floor plan styled in different facades—colonial, ranch, or contemporary.

Map highlighting the site of the Brighton Circle model homes located on Sutton Lane in Dublin, California. The map shows surrounding streets, nearby residential areas, and key landmarks to provide context for the location of the former model homes within the neighborhood.
Map of the Brighton Circle model homes on Sutton Lane in Dublin.

Pricing history

  • 1962: $14,995 - $17,995
  • 1963: $14,995 - $17,995
  • 1964: $14,995 - $17,995

Model homes

1. The Danville (Plan J-1) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,338 sq. ft.

2. The Plantation (Plan L-7) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,475 sq. ft.

3. The Nantucket (Plan M-4) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,424 sq. ft.

4. The Santa Barbara (Plan D) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,000 to 1,042 sq. ft. Later renamed The New Haven.

5. The Colonial (Plan J-3) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,345 sq. ft.

6. The Louisiana (Plan E-7) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,080 to 1,116~ sq. ft.

7. The Monterey (Plan M-1) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,424 sq. ft.

8. The Providence (Plan E-?) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,116~ sq. ft.

Brighton Circle today

Here are what the former model homes look like today.

The Danville (Plan J-1) today

Current exterior photo of the remodeled former Danville model home, featuring updated modern finishes, refreshed landscaping, and contemporary architectural details while retaining elements of the original mid-century design. The home showcases a blend of classic and updated styles within a suburban setting.
The original Danville model today (remodeled).

The Plantation (Plan L-7) today

Current exterior photo of the remodeled original Plantation model home, featuring modernized architectural elements, refreshed landscaping, and updated exterior finishes that blend contemporary style with the home’s classic mid-century roots. The house retains its original structure with visible improvements enhancing curb appeal.
The original Plantation model today (remodeled).

The Nantucket (Plan M-4) today

Exterior photo of the original Nantucket model home as it appears today, showing well-maintained mid-century design with classic architectural features such as gabled roofs and traditional siding. The home is set in a suburban neighborhood with mature landscaping and a welcoming front yard.
The original Nantucket model today.

The Santa Barbara (Plan D) today

Exterior photo of the original Santa Barbara model home today, featuring its well-preserved mid-century design and distinctive original garage door. The home retains classic architectural details with a neatly maintained front yard and subtle modern updates around the exterior.
The original Santa Barbara model today. Note original garage door.

The Colonial (Plan J-3) today

Exterior photo of the original Colonial model home as it appears today, featuring classic colonial architectural details such as symmetrical windows, a centered front door, and traditional siding. The home is set in a well-maintained suburban yard with mature landscaping, preserving its historic charm.
The original Colonial model today.

The Louisiana (Plan E-7) today

Exterior photo of the original Louisiana model home as it appears today, showcasing its mid-century architectural style with a well-preserved facade, traditional siding, and mature trees framing the property. The home maintains its original charm with subtle modern enhancements.
The original Louisiana model today.

The Monterey (Plan M-1) today

Exterior photo of the original Monterey model home as it appears today, featuring its classic mid-century design with a clean facade, traditional roofline, and mature landscaping. The home retains much of its original architectural character within a quiet suburban setting.
The original Monterey model today.

The Providence (Plan E-?) today

Exterior photo of the original Providence model home as it appears today, showcasing a classic mid-century suburban design with a well-maintained facade, traditional siding, and mature landscaping. The home reflects its original architectural style with subtle updates.
The original Providence model today.

A neighborhood time forgot

Brighton Circle's model homes went up for sale in February 1964, marking the completion of the subdivision. Today, Brighton Circle often escapes notice. Many homes have aged without renovation; others have been remodeled beyond recognition. The cheerful ads promising a “new, modern, and safe community” are yellowed clippings now. What was once seen as the future now looks like the past—quiet, worn, and maybe even a little forgotten.

But dig a little deeper and the dream still lingers—in original façades, in schoolyards that once held summer fairs, and in the practical, welcoming layouts that helped so many families begin again.

For those who remember, Brighton Circle wasn’t just a subdivision.
It was a fresh start.

Related post: The story of San Ramon Village: Volk-McLain's planned community


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