Livermore's Carlton Square: 1965–1968 homes & subdivision history

A typical home in the Carlton Square neighborhood of Livermore. The Newcastle model home with two-stories and mid-century architectural charm.

Welcome to Carlton Square

Between 1965 and 1968, Livermore was booming—and The Hofmann Company had just the answer for young families eager to trade their apartments (or parents’ garages) for something with a lawn and a lemon tree. Enter: Carlton Square, a sun-kissed subdivision where everything felt new, shiny, and a little bit fabulous.

With homes starting at just $15,950, Carlton Square promised not just a place to live—but a place to really live. Think Westinghouse ovens that broiled meat on both sides (without flipping!), Formica counters that gleamed with a single wipe, and yards big enough for a slip ’n slide and a sandbox.

Aerial view of the Carlton Square neighborhood in Livermore, California, showing a grid of curving residential streets lined with single-family homes. The community is surrounded by mature trees, open green space, and nearby schools, highlighting its central location within suburban Livermore.
Map of the Carlton Square neighborhood in Livermore, California.

Get away to a fresh start (and maybe a bonus room)

Carlton Square wasn’t subtle. Its ads practically shouted: “Put pleasure back into living!”

A vintage July 1965 advertisement for Carlton Square in Livermore featuring a cheerful suburban family scene. The father proudly holds a trophy, the son plays cowboy, the daughter tosses a ball, and the mother carries a birdcage—each figure reflecting traditional 1960s gender roles. The tagline reads, "Get away to a fresh start," promoting idealized family living in a new housing development.
From a July 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—a man didn’t just buy a home—he bought proof. Proof he was successful, responsible, worthy of admiration (and maybe a patio set).

Yes, it was 1965, and the American Dream came with picture windows, zoned living, and lemonade served in the shade of your brand-new eaves.

A later version of the 1965 Carlton Square ad showing a revised suburban family scene. The girl throws a ball—but now the mother carries a glass of lemonade for her husband instead of a birdcage. The bird is gone, subtly reinforcing mid-century gender roles. The ad has a new tagline: "buy a lifetime supply of country-fresh living."
From an August 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—In the original ad, she carried a birdcage. By the follow-up, that had been swapped for a glass of lemonade. Subtle? Not exactly.

As mid-century advertising clung to the fantasy of the “perfect” household, even the props had to behave. A woman with a pet? Maybe too whimsical, too independent. A woman with lemonade? Ah yes—now she’s fulfilling her destiny.

This wasn’t a casual change—it was messaging with a side of condescension. The house, after all, was his prize. Her job? Make it cozy, pour something cold, and stay within arm’s reach.

What was supposed to be a suburban dream ended up looking more like community theater, where the dad got the spotlight, the kids provided comic relief, and the wife played the role of gracious domestic support staff.

Even the lemonade had a line in the script.

Indoor barbecue? don’t mind if we do

All sourness aside, every home in Carlton Square came with a Westinghouse No Turn Speed Broil Oven—a technological marvel that cooked meat from both sides at the same time. No turning. No flames. No mess. Basically, a suburban dad’s dream: barbecue without leaving the kitchen.

It was innovation. It was convenience. It was dinner at 6:00 sharp.

A December 1965 vintage ad for Hofmann Homes promoting the slogan "Step up to a Hofmann Home." The ad features a promotional event offering a free steak broil-out to showcase the modern no-turn Westinghouse Speed Broil oven. The imagery highlights mid-century kitchen innovation and suburban hospitality as selling points for new homes.
From a December 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—After firing the lemonade copywriter, Hofmann moved on to the meat of the neighborhood—literally.

The 1965 homes of Carlton Square

Model complex (1965—1967): Robert Way

The first model home complex, located on Robert Way, opened with four homes and expanded to six. It was pure 1960s suburbia—with staged ashtrays, decorative wall clocks, and color schemes that wouldn’t dare whisper beige. It closed out in late 1967.

Current aerial view of the former site of the 1965 Carlton Square model home complex in Livermore, California, showing the surrounding residential streets and neighborhood layout where the original model homes once stood.
Map of the 1965 Carlton Square model homes on Robert Way in Livermore.

Pricing history

  • 1965: $15,950 +
  • 1966: $16,950 - $21,500
  • 1967: $17,750 - $20,950

Model homes

1. The Newcastle - 4 bedrooms or 3 and a retreat, 3 bathrooms, 1,670 sq. ft. Because parents deserve their own floor—and maybe a lock on the door.

Vintage August 1965 advertisement for the Newcastle model home at Carlton Square in Livermore, highlighting its unique design with an entire upper floor devoted to parents. The ad features mid-century illustrations and bold text emphasizing privacy and luxury living.
From an August 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—Really the best idea yet. An entire floor devoted to the parents.

2. The Sheffield - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,392 sq. ft.

3. The Camelot (Plan 1140) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,256 sq. ft.

A vintage 1967 advertisement featuring the floor plan of the Camelot model home. The ad includes labeled rooms such as living room, bedrooms, and kitchen, with promotional text emphasizing modern design, comfort, and family functionality.
Fit for a modern-day king and queen — This 1967 ad for the Camelot model showcased a smart, family-oriented floor plan with all the mid-century charm and efficiency buyers expected from Carlton Square.

4. The Cambridge - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,256 sq. ft.

5. The Windsor (Plan 1704) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1704 sq. ft. Added in 1966. Designed using actual buyer input: Mom asked for formal living and a separate family room. Dad asked for insulation and heating. Everyone got what they wanted.

6. The Jamestown - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,600 sq. ft. Added in March 1967. Classic New England style, with a West Coast attitude. Designed by architect Justo Monillas.

The 1965 Carlton Square today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Newcastle today

Current photo of the former Newcastle model home in Carlton Square, Livermore. This two-story residence retains its original 1965 architectural charm, with an elevated primary suite occupying the entire upper floor and a traditional mid-century suburban façade.
The original Newcastle model today.

The Sheffield today

Current photo of the former Sheffield model home in Carlton Square, Livermore. This single-story 1965 residence features a balanced ranch-style layout, low-pitched roofline, and broad front windows—hallmarks of mid-century suburban design.
The original Sheffield model today.

The Camelot (Plan 1140) today

Current photo of the former Camelot model home in Carlton Square, Livermore. This one-story home features a classic mid-century design with a prominent front gable, clean lines, and a spacious driveway.
The original Camelot model today (extended).

The Cambridge today

Current photo of the former Cambridge model home in Carlton Square, Livermore. A single-story house with a modest, clean facade, featuring a low-pitched roof, attached garage, and a well-maintained front yard.
The original Cambridge model today.

The Windsor (Plan 1704) today

Current photo of The Windsor (Plan 1704) model home in Carlton Square, Livermore. A one-story house with a traditional facade, featuring large windows, a formal entryway, and a well-kept lawn. Designed with input from buyers, combining formal living spaces and family comfort.
The original Windsor model today.

The Jamestown today

Current photo of The Jamestown model home in Carlton Square, Livermore. A charming New England–style residence with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, showcasing classic architectural details like clapboard siding and a welcoming front porch, blending traditional style with West Coast sensibilities.
The original Jamestown today.

The 1967 homes of Carlton Square

Model complex (1967—1968): Murdell Lane

In late 1967, Hofmann rolled out a new model complex on Murdell Lane to sell homes in Units 3 and 4. The homes were larger, flashier, and clearly built for families that had outgrown their starter ranch.

Aerial view of the site of the 1967 Carlton Square model home complex in Livermore, California, showing the surrounding residential streets and neighborhood layout where the original model homes once stood.
Map of the 1967 Carlton Square model homes on Murdell Lane in Livermore.

Pricing history

  • 1967: $19,950 - $25,450
  • 1968: $21,450 - $27,450

Model homes

1. The Berkeley Square (Plan 1991) - 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a retreat, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,004 sq. ft. Yes, this was “the big one.” Perfect for fancy dinner parties or kids who slam doors.

Vintage March 1968 Contra Costa Times advertisement showing the detailed floor plan of the Berkeley Square model home, highlighting its layout and room dimensions for prospective buyers.
From a March 1968 Contra Costa Times ad—The homes were smart, large, and had an optional parents' retreat.

3. The Huntington - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,598 - 1,619 sq. ft.

(Three additional models were offered, but records are scarce—blame the avocado-green filing cabinets.)

1967 Carlton Square today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today.

The Berkeley Square (Plan 1991) today

The Berkeley Square (Plan 1991) — A spacious 4-bedroom or 3-bedroom with retreat home featuring 2.5 bathrooms and 2,004 sq. ft., showcasing a well-designed layout perfect for families seeking flexible living spaces.
The original Berkeley Square model today.

The Huntington today

The Huntington — A charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home ranging from 1,598 to 1,619 sq. ft., combining classic design with comfortable living in a cozy footprint.
The original Huntington model today (expanded in front).

The buildout: selling fast, broiling faster

By 1968, Carlton Square’s final phase had sold out, making it one of Hofmann’s best-performing developments of the era. The neighborhood did so well that the company shifted its attention next door, launching the iconic Tempo homes in 1969.

Today, Carlton Square’s original sign still stands proudly on Stanley Boulevard—and judging by the number of second-story additions and expanded kitchens, folks have decided this really is a great place to live.

Legacy with a side of lemonade

Carlton Square wasn’t just a place to live—it was a vision of the good life, served up with vinyl floors, wall-to-wall carpet, and enough optimism to fill a Crock-Pot.

Today, the homes have been painted, expanded, and modernized, but the bones of those mid-century dreams still remain. Walk the neighborhood, and you’ll see it: cheerful rooflines, quiet streets, and the echo of a time when broilers were cutting-edge and kids came home when the streetlights turned on.

Carlton Square may not be flashy by today’s standards—but back in the day, it was the future.

And honestly? It still kind of is.

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