If Shapell Homes gave San Ramon its suburban soul, and Sunset Homes put Livermore on the residential map, Morrison Homes was Pleasanton’s architect of modern living. Their handprints are all over town—from the sweeping Pleasanton Valley and Valley Trails to the tucked-away cul-de-sacs that still echo with backyard laughter.
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| September 1975 Oakland Tribune ad—come for the country charm, stay for the block parties. |
Where is Heritage Valley?
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| Annotated aerial map of the Heritage Valley subdivision in Pleasanton, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Growth on a leash
By the early '70s, Pleasanton was having growing pains. In Spring 1972, voters hit the brakes—approving a growth moratorium that capped home construction at just 15 units per quarter. Morrison had already bought a large swath of land in January 1971, spanning from Santa Rita Road to the train tracks, and from Mohr Avenue down to Valley Avenue. Originally planned for 477 homes (a mix of single-family, garden homes, and townhouses), the site’s full development would take more than a decade.
Selling the dream
With a keen eye for what worked (and what sold), Morrison returned to some of its most beloved floor plans, added fresh façades, and opened Heritage Valley in September 1975 to a warm reception. The homes captured what buyers longed for: a suburban sanctuary with just enough polish, plenty of space, and the promise of a pool in every backyard.
Nearly 1,000 prospective buyers came through in that first year. By the end of 1976, 91 out of 103 available homes had found their owners. Whether it was the open floor plans, the generous lot sizes, or the siren call of slow growth and rising values, Heritage Valley hit the sweet spot.
Legacy of Heritage Valley
By the end of 1976, Morrison Homes was reporting all 103 homes were sold. Most sit on quiet cul-de-sacs, with roomy lots that practically demanded a pool—and most got one. After all, this was Pleasanton, and a summer without a splash was simply uncivilized.
Heritage Valley remains a storybook slice of 1970s suburban optimism—where slow growth, careful planning, and just a dash of whimsy created a neighborhood that still feels like home.
Exploring the original Heritage Valley today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Heritage Valley model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Morrison's vision for suburban living in 1975.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Heritage Valley's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
Original advertised prices
- 1975: $47,500 - $56,250
- 1976: $56,650 - $65,450
Original model home complex
When Heritage Valley opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Morrison 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 three original models opened in 1975 on Morganfield Court.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Heritage Valley model home complex on Morganfield Court. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Original model home designs
1. The Plan 167 - This model offered approximately 1,671 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 167 model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Plan 141 - This model offered approximately 1,414 square feet with up to 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 141 model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Plan 2175 - This model offered approximately 1,763 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
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Collection
Pleasanton — the places that built a modern city
This collection explores the new-home communities, builders, and neighborhoods that reshaped Pleasanton during the decades when the city evolved from an agricultural town into one of the East Bay's defining suburban cities.
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