Part of Sunset Homes’ “Sunsetown” collection
At the close of June 1970, Sunset Homes unveiled what would become one of its most iconic and enduring achievements: the Wildwood Series. The home designs in this series didn’t just mark a new phase in Sunset’s architectural evolution—they defined it.
For homebuyers in Livermore’s growing neighborhoods, the Wildwood Series offered homes with a level of flexibility and luxury that felt fresh and unexpected. You could pick one of these new designs and then choose any available Sunset neighborhood. No matter where you chose to live, Wildwood promised a home that felt custom—modern, open, and filled with warmth.
 |
| Newspaper ad from June 1970 announcing the grand opening of the Wildwood homes in Livermore’s Sunsetown. Promising “more home for the dollar… anywhere in the Bay Area,” the ad promoted estate-sized lots, modern features, and starting prices under $30,000. |
Where Wildwood homes were built
Built at a time when Sunset Homes marketed neighborhoods and lines of homes independently, Wildwood Series homes were built across the Sunset East, Three Fountains, Whispering Pines, Shadowbrook, and The Meadows neighborhoods—giving buyers the freedom to choose not only a floor plan but also a neighborhood.
Marketing the series
With the Wildwood Series, Sunset doubled down on what it did best: creating homes that looked good, lived even better, and aged like fine wine. It was a time of open floor plans, statement kitchens, and architectural boldness—and Wildwood delivered all of it in spades.
 |
| June 1973 Oakland Tribune ad showcasing the spacious kitchen inside the Redwood model on Asti Court. Featuring large picture windows and a bright, open layout, the ad captures a woman serving food at the dining table. |
 |
| Oakland Tribune 1972 clipping showing the step-up retreat in the primary bedroom of the Silvertip model. |
Buildout and the final chapter
By June 1974, Sunset closed the Wildwood Series model home complex, and put the decorated models up for sale. Subsequently, Sunset opened a new model complex, with the same Wildwood home designs, in the Shadowbrook neighborhood. Rather than continuing the Sunset tradition of naming neighborhoods and lines of homes independently, the new model complex was named after the neighborhood, Shadowbrook.
Though the Wildwood Series wrapped its run, the legacy lived on. These homes—especially the Redwood and Silvertip—continued to draw buyers for decades. They weren't just well-built; they were well-loved.
Legacy of Wildwood
More than 50 years later, homes from the Wildwood Series are still turning heads. Their thoughtful design, generous space, and timeless charm continue to make them some of the most desirable homes in Livermore.
Whether it's the kitchen island in a Cypress, the elegant curve of a Silvertip staircase, or the comforting sprawl of a Redwood, Wildwood homes remind us of a time when the future of suburban living looked bright—and a little bit bold.
Exploring the original Wildwood Series today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Wildwood Series model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Sunset's vision for suburban living in 1970.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Wildwood's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
Original advertised prices
- 1970: $29,950 – $34,950
- 1971: $31,400 – $36,750
- 1972: $33,950 – $40,100
- 1973: $36,750 – $42,000
- 1974 (Shadowbrook neighborhood): $46,350 – $52,650
Original model home complex
Wildwood's five original model homes were arranged on Asti Court around a temporary sales complex that welcomed prospective buyers during the neighborhood's grand opening in 1970. While the sales office disappeared long ago, the model homes remain, allowing visitors to trace the neighborhood's beginnings more than fifty years later.
 |
| Annotated aerial map of the original Wildwood Series model home complex on Asti Court. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Original sales materials
The following newspaper advertisements document the original Wildwood homes as they were presented to prospective buyers. Together they preserve the exterior renderings, floor plans, pricing, and marketing language used during the neighborhood's first years.
The Cypress
 | |
|
 |
| Floor plan of the Cypress model in Sunset Homes’ Wildwood Series, featuring 3 bedrooms, a circular kitchen island, and an open-plan layout connecting the kitchen, family room, and casual dining area—alongside separate formal living and dining rooms. |
The Redwood
 |
| January 1973 ad for the Redwood model, showcasing 2,304 square feet of ranch-style luxury. What some consider the greatest home Sunset Homes ever made, the Redwood featured a spacious 17' x 21' family room. |
The Silvertip
 |
| July 1971 Oakland Tribune ad—some women descended grand staircases to accept Oscars. Others did it to greet the Tupperware ladies. Either way, the flashbulbs were imaginary—but the poise was real. |
Original model home designs
1. The Cypress - This model offered approximately 1,730 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Cypress model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Pinewood - This model offered approximately 2,172 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Pinewood model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Redwood- This model offered approximately 2,304 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The Redwood embodied the idea of open-plan living before that was a buzzword. Fifty years on, you’ll still find the name “Redwood” popping up in real estate ads across Livermore—a sign of a floor plan that’s stood the test of time, both structurally and sentimentally.
 |
| Original Redwood model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Silvertip - This model offered approximately 2,291 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Silvertip model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Magnolia - This model offered approximately 1,760 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in late 1973, the Magnolia was taken from the Quietwood series—a slightly larger version perfect for the opening of the new Shadowbrook neighborhood. With its kitchen-in-the-round, it felt right at home alongside the Wildwood originals.
 |
| Original Magnolia model today via Google Street View. |
Comments
Post a Comment