Carlton Square: speed-broil wishes and Formica dreams

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.

Location 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!”

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.

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.

From a December 1965 Oakland Tribune ad—After firing the lemonade copywriter, Hofmann moved on to the meat of the neighborhood—literally. 

Step inside: the 1965 model homes

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.

Site of the 1965 Carlton Square 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.

The original Newcastle model today.

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.

The original Sheffield model today.

3. The Camelot (Plan 1140) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,256 sq. ft. Not quite King Arthur’s court, but definitely fit for a royal TV tray.

The original Camelot model today (expanded).

The floor plan of The Camelot.

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

The original Cambridge model today.

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.

The original Windsor model today.

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 original Jamestown today.

1968 models: bigger, bolder, and a bit fancy

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.

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.

The original Berkeley Square model today.

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.

The original Huntington model today (expanded in front).

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

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.