Inside Ivanhoe Villas: Sunset Homes' new concept in suburban living (1970–1971)

A historical tour of Sunset's Ivanhoe Villas, Livermore (1970–1971)

Explore Sunset Homes’ Ivanhoe Villas—a unique take on suburban living during the early 1970s. Located in Livermore’s prestigious Sunset East neighborhood, this community of stylish, semidetached townhomes offered buyers a fresh alternative to the standard single-family home. A curated archive for fans of 1960s–70s architecture, suburban design, and East Bay history.

Welcome to Ivanhoe Villas, 1970–1971

Ivanhoe Villas debuted in late September 1970, as Sunset Homes began diversifying its designs to meet the needs of modern buyers. These 98 zero lot-line homes were a bold step forward: semidetached units with just one shared wall, offering the feel of a detached home but with less upkeep.

Set within the desirable Sunset East neighborhood, Ivanhoe Villas catered to buyers seeking an affordable, low-maintenance lifestyle—without compromising on location or architectural style.

Map showing the location of Ivanhoe Villas in the Sunset East neighborhood of Livermore, California.
Location of the Ivanhoe Villas community in Livermore’s Sunset East neighborhood.

A new kind of suburban home

Sunset Homes marketed Ivanhoe Villas as “a totally new concept in suburban living.” These compact homes were carefully arranged to maximize privacy and space efficiency. Garages were placed at the rear of the lot—evoking older design traditions—but without alley access, the result was long driveways that reduced green space.

While the tradeoff in lawn space was notable, the design gave homeowners clear separation from neighbors and a sense of ownership usually reserved for detached homes.

1970 Oakland Tribune ad announcing the grand opening of Ivanhoe Villas in Livermore by Sunset Homes.
From a September 1970 Oakland Tribune ad announcing the grand opening of Ivanhoe Villas.

The model homes of Ivanhoe Villas

The model home complex was located at 1492 Cartier Drive, showcasing six distinct floor plans. From cozy two-bedroom models to a spacious four-bedroom design, Ivanhoe Villas offered something for everyone.

Pricing history

  • 1970: $18,950 - $22,950
  • 1971: $18,950 - $23,950

Model homes

1. The Plan 1 - 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,008 sq. ft.

2. The Plan 2 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,192 sq. ft.

3. The Saxon - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,496 sq. ft. (largest model)

4. The Plan 4 - 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 1,192 sq. ft.

5. The Plan 5 - 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,200 sq. ft.

6. The Plan 1000 - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 858 sq. ft. (smallest and most affordable option).

Vintage floor plan of the Ivanhoe Villas Plan 1000 model—featuring two bedrooms and one bathroom.
Floor plan of the compact and efficient Plan 1000.

Ivanhoe Villas today

Here's what the original Ivanhoe Villas model homes look like in 2024.

The Plan 1 today

Original Plan 1 model home in Ivanhoe Villas, Livermore—2-bedroom townhouse with front landscaping and preserved mid-century design.
The original Plan 1 model today. It also housed the sales office.

The Plan 2 today

Original Plan 2 home in Ivanhoe Villas—3-bedroom semidetached design in Sunset East neighborhood.
The original Plan 2 model today.

The Saxon today

Original Saxon model home—4-bedroom layout with Sunset-style lamp post and front-facing driveway.
The original Saxon model today. Note the original Sunset lamp post.

The Plan 4 today

Plan 4 model in Ivanhoe Villas—3-bedroom home with 1.5 bathrooms and original architecture intact.
The original Plan 4 model today.

The Plan 5 today

Original Plan 5 model—2-bedroom townhouse with two bathrooms and 1,200 square feet of living space.
The original Plan 5 model today.

The Plan 1000 today

Compact Plan 1000 model in Ivanhoe Villas—2-bedroom, 1-bathroom townhouse with 858 square feet.
The original Plan 1000 model today.

Full buildout

Ivanhoe Villas sold rapidly—half of the homes were purchased by November 1970. By May 1971, all units were sold, completing one of Sunset Homes’ fastest-selling developments.

Why Ivanhoe Villas still matters

Ivanhoe Villas was more than just a practical solution for budget-conscious buyers—it was a bold experiment in neighborhood planning. Today, these homes still reflect Sunset’s forward-thinking approach to suburban design: space-efficient, low-maintenance, and woven into one of Livermore’s most desirable communities.

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