Carlton Square — tract homes in Livermore (1965)

Between 1965 and 1968, Livermore was booming—and The Hofmann Company had just the answer for young families eager to trade their apartments for something with a lawn and a lemon tree. Carlton Square emerged as a subdivision of single-family homes designed for new suburban buyers in Livermore during the mid-1960s

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, Formica counters that gleamed with a single wipe, and yards big enough for a slip ’n slide and a sandbox.

An October 1965 Oakland Tribune ad that shows an artistic drawing of a slot machine and says Carlton Square is like winning a jackpot.
From an October 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—The Hofmann Company sold Carlton Square as winning the jackpot. The payoff is Formica counters, underground utilities, and community TV aerial service,

Where is Carlton Square in Livermore?

Annotated aerial map showing the boundaries of the Carlton Square neighborhood in Livermore.
Annotated aerial map of the Carlton Square neighborhood in Livermore, California. Base imagery from Google Maps.

Selling the tract

Advertising for Carlton Square emphasized modern amenities and an idealized suburban lifestyle.

For the cooks in the house, 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. The simplified cooking method was positioned as a convenience-focused alternative to outdoor grilling.

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—The Hofmann company framing homeownership as a marker of stability and success.

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.

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—Hofmann offered free streak broil-outs to lure potential buyers who wanted to see the Westinghouse No Turn Speed Boil Oven in action.

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—An entire floor devoted to the parents inside the Newcastle model.

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.
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.

Pricing history of Carlton Square homes

  • 1965: $15,950 +
  • 1966: $16,950 - $21,500
  • 1967: $17,750 - $20,950
  • 1967 (second phase): $19,950 - $25,450
  • 1968: $21,450 - $27,450

The homes of Carlton Square (1965—1967)

When Carlton Square opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Hofmann model homes showcasing the neighborhood’s mix of architecture, indoor-outdoor living, and family-oriented floor plans. Though individual elevations varied, these original models helped define much of the neighborhood’s visual identity.

The four original models opened in 1965 on Robert Way. A fifth model arrived in 1966, and a sixth in 1967. In late 1967, the original model homes had been sold off as the phase neared completion.

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.
Annotated aerial map of the 1965 Carlton Square model home complex on Robert Way. Base imagery from Apple Maps.

Model homes of Carlton Square

1. The Newcastle - 4 bedrooms or 3 and a retreat, 3 bathrooms, 1,670 sq. ft.

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

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

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. The design reflected feedback from prospective buyers and common household preferences of the period.

6. The Jamestown - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,600 sq. ft. Added in March 1967. Designed by architect Justo Monillas.

Current appearance of the original Newcastle home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Newcastle model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Sheffield home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Sheffield model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Camelot home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Camelot model today (extended) via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Cambridge home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Cambridge model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Windsor home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Windsor model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Jamestown home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Jamestown today via Google Street View.

The homes of Carlton Square (1967—1968)

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.
Annotated aerial map of the 1967 Carlton Square model home complex on Murdell Lane. Base imagery from Apple Maps.

Model homes of Carlton Square

1. The Berkeley Square (Plan 1991) - 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a retreat, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,004 sq. ft.

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.)

Current appearance of the original Berkeley Square home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Berkeley Square model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Huntington home in Livermore's Carlton Square.
Original Huntington model today (expanded in front) via Google Street View.

Legacy of Carlton Square

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. Many homes have since been expanded or remodeled, while retaining their original structural layouts.

Carlton Square wasn’t just a place to live—it was a vision of a good life characterized by vinyl flooring, wall-to-wall carpeting, and postwar suburban optimism.

Carlton Square may not be flashy by today’s standards—but back in the 60s, it was the future.

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