Livermore’s Somerset West: 1972–1974 homes & subdivision history

Cover photo of a two-story home in Livermore’s Somerset West neighborhood, built between 1972 and 1974 by H.C. Elliott. The home features a traditional suburban design with a prominent garage, shuttered windows, and a neatly manicured front yard—typical of early 1970s East Bay residential architecture.

Welcome to Somerset West

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.

Vintage newspaper ad from the 1972 Oakland Tribune, promoting the grand opening of Somerset West in Livermore. The ad features a stylized image of the New Somerset model, with text highlighting the price range of $23,450 to $29,450 and the return of H.C. Elliott homes to the city.
"H. C. Elliott homes are back in Livermore at Somerset West, $23,450 to $29,450." 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.

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.

Map showing the location of the Town Square neighborhood in Livermore, California, with adjacent areas including the future Somerset neighborhoods where builder H.C. Elliott continued development.
Location of the Somerset West section of the Town Square neighborhood in Livermore, California.

The homes of Somerset West

The Somerset West neighborhood officially opened in May 1972, with home sales based out of the Delaware Way complex from Somerset Homes, which re-opened to offer many of the same home plans used in the earlier development. It wasn’t until September 1973 that Somerset West got its own dedicated model complex along Hagemann Drive at Olympic Way, marking the transition from the earlier Delaware Way homes to the new designs exclusive to Somerset West.

Small aerial photograph showing the Somerset West model home complex located on Hagemann Drive in Livermore, California. The photo highlights the layout of the complex, where six model homes were showcased starting in September 1973.
Aerial view of the Somerset West model home complex on Hagemann Drive, where the neighborhood’s new designs were first introduced to the public in September 1973. The site provided prospective buyers a firsthand look at the homes that would soon populate the neighborhood.

Pricing history

  • 1972: $23,450 – $29,450
  • 1973: $26,550 – $33,450

Model homes

1. The Scottsdale - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,343 sq. ft.

2. The Danbury - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,130 sq. ft.

3. The Homestead - 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 1,048 sq. ft.

Vintage newspaper ad from November 1973 promoting Somerset West in Livermore. The ad features a black-and-white rendering of the Homestead model, a single-story ranch home with front-facing garage and simple roofline, accompanied by the tagline: “Exceptional Homes – Exceptional Values. Livermore living at its best.”
“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.

4. The Monterey - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,427 sq. ft.

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, paired with a spacious layout perfect for family living.

Black-and-white newspaper ad from the 1973 Oakland Tribune, showcasing the Huntington model in Somerset West. The ad features a stylized rendering of the home, emphasizing its modern design, including the curvilinear kitchen, with the tagline: “Something different for Livermore.”
"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.

6. The Sheffield (Plan 6) - 4 bedrooms or 3 + den, 2 bathrooms, 1,573 sq. ft A reworked version of the origina Huntington from Delaware Way (Somerset Homes), now renamed for a fresh start.

Somerset West today

Fifty years on, the original model homes of Somerset West remain largely intact—many with updated exteriors and interiors, but still recognizable to those familiar with their 1970s origins. Their enduring forms speak to the durability of Elliott’s designs and the lasting appeal of Livermore’s early suburban architecture.

The Scottsdale today

Front view of the 1973 Scottsdale model in Somerset West, showing a single-story ranch home with horizontal wood siding, original roofline, and mature landscaping.
The original Scottsdale model, built in 1973, remains largely intact. Its ranch-style form and vertical siding reflect H.C. Elliott’s approach to suburban family housing.

The Danbury today

Photo of the 1973 Danbury model, a compact single-story home with an attached garage, simple façade, and preserved roofline typical of early 1970s suburban design.
Built in 1973, the Danbury model was one of the smaller floor plans in Somerset West. Its compact layout and low-pitched roof remain defining features.

The Homestead today

Exterior of the 1973 Homestead model in Somerset West, showing a low-profile ranch with front-facing garage and minimal decorative detailing.
The Homestead model reflects the economy and efficiency of early 1970s suburban planning. Though modest in size, its clean lines and practical layout made it a popular choice.

The Monterey today

Front view of the 1973 Monterey model home, showing a symmetrical gable roof, large front-facing window, and low-profile ranch layout typical of early 1970s suburban architecture.
The Monterey model, built in 1973, featured a balanced ranch-style design with a wide front window and open interior layout. Its symmetry and simplicity made it a reliable choice for growing families.

The Huntington today

Exterior of the 1973 Huntington model, a single-story ranch with wide façade, landscaped front yard, and preserved structural layout; originally known for its circular kitchen design.
The Huntington model, built in 1973, was Somerset West’s most distinctive plan—known for its curvilinear kitchen and larger square footage. The home remains a key example of Elliott’s design experimentation.

The Sheffield today

Photo of the 1973 Sheffield model, a four-bedroom ranch-style home with attached garage, wide roofline, and subtle updates, reflecting its evolution from earlier Elliott developments.
Originally introduced as the Huntington on the earlier Delaware Way model complex and renamed the Sheffield in Somerset West (1973), this model blended familiarity with updated styling. Its broad layout and flexible floor plan suited larger families.

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 for two extra bedrooms and a bath (Plan 5-2). Perfect for teenagers, guests, or a quiet reading space you never actually use.

Front view of the New Somerset model, a two-story home with a gable roof and optional second-floor addition, showing original proportions and modest architectural detailing typical of 1970s suburban development.
The New Somerset (Plan 5), introduced during the final buildout phase, reimagined an earlier Elliott design with the option of a finished upper level. Its two-story profile set it apart in a neighborhood dominated by single-story ranch homes.

The Californian (Plan 4) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,561 sq. ft. All the sun-drenched charm the name implies—without the Malibu price tag.

Exterior photo of the Californian model, a single-story four-bedroom home with a wide façade, low-pitched roof, and stucco exterior, reflecting clean lines and informal suburban elegance.
The Californian (Plan 4) offered broad appeal with its sun-filled interior, wide eaves, and low-pitched roof—hallmarks of mid-century ranch styling adapted for the early 1970s market.

The Ridgewood (Plan 2-L) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,366 sq. ft. The kind of house where you could host a PTA meeting and still have time to put a roast in the oven.

View of the Ridgewood model home, a single-story three-bedroom house with a simple rectangular footprint, attached garage, and minimal decorative elements, consistent with 1973-era tract housing.
The Ridgewood (Plan 2-L) was a compact but efficient floor plan, designed for livability and ease of maintenance. Its unassuming exterior mirrored the practical mindset of suburban families at the time.

The Ranch Californian (Plan 4-SL) - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,536 sq. ft. Sprawling, breezy, and ready for cocktail hour. This was a backyard barbecue waiting to happen.

Front view of the Ranch Californian model, a wide single-story ranch-style home with a long, low-pitched roof and shaded front porch, reflecting the California casual lifestyle of the early 1970s.
The Ranch Californian (Plan 4-SL) emphasized indoor-outdoor living, with a long roofline, open floor plan, and shaded patio areas—ideal for entertaining or relaxed family gatherings.

A quiet finish

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.

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