By the early 1970s, Livermore was rapidly expanding—and so were its subdivisions. In May 1972, builder H.C. Elliott introduced his final project in the city: Somerset West, a 90-acre neighborhood nestled just west of the original Town Square. Over the next two years, 279 homes would take shape here—a quintessential suburban retreat, with wood siding, avocado-green appliances, and gently curving cul-de-sacs, marking a defining moment in Livermore’s postwar growth.
The first 186 homes (Units 1 through 3) borrowed from the earlier Somerset Homes models on Delaware Way, while the last two units brought in fresh floor plans—and a new model home complex for the touring public to admire, judge, and imagine their futures in.
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| "H. C. Elliott homes are back in Livermore at Somerset West." A 1972 Oakland Tribune ad announcing the grand opening of Somerset West, showcasing the New Somerset model and its price range during the initial phase of the neighborhood’s development. |
Selling the subdivision
Among the many features that have helped make Somerset West a success were hand-split cedar shake roofs, tiled entryways, insulation in outside walls and ceilings, forced air heating, and carpeting throughout living rooms, dining rooms, halls, and bedrooms. Fireplaces were included in four of the ten available floor plans and could be added as an option in three others.
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| May 1972 Contra Costa Times—in his eighth year of building in Livermore, H. C. Elliott boasted 1200 families loving their homes. |
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| May 1972 Contra Costa Times—a view inside the open-concept living area of the Californian model, complete with tasteful decorating, fireplace, and shag carpet. |
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| “Exceptional Homes – Exceptional Values. Livermore living at its best.” A November 1973 advertisement for Somerset West, highlighting the Homestead model as part of H.C. Elliott’s final phase of homebuilding in the city. |
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| "Something different for Livermore." A 1973 Oakland Tribune ad featuring the Huntington model, highlighting its unique design, including the standout curvilinear kitchen, as a bold step forward in suburban living. |
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| September 1974 Contra Costa Times—H. C. Elliott's culmination of building Livermore nears sellout; only 30 homes left in Somerset West, where Livermore living is at its best. |
Legacy of Somerset West
By late 1974, construction in Somerset West had quietly wrapped up—no headlines, no grand finale. Like many suburban developments of the era, it simply transitioned from active construction site to lived-in neighborhood. Streets once lined with lumber and model homes gave way to bicycles, garden hoses, and the rhythms of daily life.
Though not the most high-profile of Elliott’s developments, Somerset West remains a noteworthy chapter in the city’s residential history. It marked the culmination of a builder’s influence and a community’s transition—offering attainable homeownership at a time of rapid regional change. For the families who moved in, it offered exactly what was needed: a comfortable home, a modest yard, and a place in one of Livermore’s most enduring neighborhoods.
Exploring the original Somerset West today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Somerset West model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of H. C. Elliott's vision for suburban living in 1972.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Somerset West's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
The original prices
- 1972: $23,450 – $29,450
- 1973: $26,550 – $33,450
- 1974: $29,950 – $37,450
The original model home complex
When Somerset West opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of H. C. Elliott 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 six original models opened in September 1973 on Hagemann Drive. At least four additional designs were available, but not modeled.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Somerset West model home complex on Hagemann Drive. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Scottsdale - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,343 sq. ft.
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| Original Scottsdale model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Danbury - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,130 sq. ft.
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| Original Danbury model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Homestead - 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 1,048 sq. ft.
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| Original Homestead model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Monterey - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,427 sq. ft.
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| Original Monterey model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Huntington - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,479 sq. ft. Known for its innovative “curvilinear kitchen”, the Huntington model featured a unique round kitchen design that was ahead of its time.
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| Original Huntington model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Sheffield (Plan 6) - 4 bedrooms or 3 + den, 2 bathrooms, 1,573 sq. ft A reworked version of the original Huntington from Delaware Way (Somerset Homes).
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| Original Sheffield model today via Google Street View. |
Bonus floor plans (not shown in the model complex)
The New Somerset (Plan 5) - 2–4 bedrooms, 1–2 bathrooms, 1,562+ sq. ft. A reimagining of the original Somerset, this version came with an optional finished upper level. You could keep it raw and mysterious (Plan 5), or finish it off with two extra bedrooms and a bath (Plan 5-2).
The Californian (Plan 4) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,561 sq. ft.
The Ridgewood (Plan 2-L) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,366 sq. ft.
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| A Ridgewood home (not shown in model complex) via Google Street View. |
The Ranch Californian (Plan 4-SL) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,536 sq. ft.
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| A Ranch Californian home (not shown in model complex) via Google Street View. |
Related stories
- Town Square (Livermore, 1964)
- Somerset Homes (Livermore, 1968)
- North Livermore — from WWII airfield to suburban neighborhoods
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