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.
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| 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 Carlton Square is located in Livermore
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| Annotated aerial map of the Carlton Square neighborhood in Livermore, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Selling the subdivision
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.
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| July 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—The Hofmann company framing homeownership as a marker of stability and success. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| From an August 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—An entire floor devoted to the parents inside the Newcastle model. |
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| This 1967 newspaper 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. |
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.
Exploring the original Carlton Square today
Although the sales offices are long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Carlton Square model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Hofmann's vision for suburban living in 1965.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Carlton Square's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complexes, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
The original prices
- 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 first original model home complex (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.
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| Annotated aerial map of the 1965 Carlton Square model home complex on Robert Way. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Newcastle - 4 bedrooms or 3 and a retreat, 3 bathrooms, 1,670 sq. ft.
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| Original Newcastle model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Sheffield - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,392 sq. ft.
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| Original Sheffield model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Camelot (Plan 1140) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,256 sq. ft.
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| Original Camelot model today (extended) via Google Street View. |
4. The Cambridge - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,256 sq. ft.
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| Original Cambridge model today via Google Street View. |
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.
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| Original Windsor model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Jamestown - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,600 sq. ft. Added in March 1967. Designed by architect Justo Monillas.
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| Original Jamestown today via Google Street View. |
The second original model home complex (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.
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| Annotated aerial map of the 1967 Carlton Square model home complex on Murdell Lane. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Berkeley Square (Plan 1991) - 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a retreat, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,004 sq. ft.
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| Original Berkeley Square model today via Google Street View. |
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3. The Huntington - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,598 - 1,619 sq. ft.
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| Original Huntington model today (expanded in front) via Google Street View. |
(Three additional models were offered, but records are scarce.)
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