Ivanhoe Villas — tract homes in Livermore (1970)

Ivanhoe Villas debuted in late September 1970, as Sunset Homes began diversifying its designs to meet the needs of modern buyers. These 104 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.

These homes were so successful, they sold out in just eight months.

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.

Where are Ivanhoe Villas in Livermore?

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.

Annotated aerial map showing the boundaries of the Ivanhoe Villas in the Sunset East neighborhood in Livermore.
Annotated aerial map of the Ivanhoe Villas tract in the Sunset East neighborhood in Livermore, California. Base imagery from Google Maps.

Selling the tract

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.

A January 1971 Oakland Tribune photo inside the Saxon model showing a kitchen and woman standing over the dining table.
From a January 1971 Oakland Tribune photo—Sunset Homes kitchens were always the star of the show, with a walls of windows in the Saxon model looking out onto the patio.

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.

Pricing history of Ivanhoe Villas homes

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

The homes of Ivanhoe Villas

When Ivanhoe Villas opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Sunset 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 1971 on Cartier Drive.

Small aerial view of the Ivanhoe Villas townhomes model complex near Arroyo Road in Livermore, California.
Annotated aerial map of the Ivanhoe Villas model home complex on Cartier Drive. Base imagery from Apple Maps.

Model homes of Ivanhoe Villas

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

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

3. The Saxon - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,496 sq. ft.

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.

Current appearance of the original Plan 1 home in Livermore's Ivanhoe Villas.
Original Plan 1 model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 2 home in Livermore's Ivanhoe Villas.
Original Plan 2 model today via Google Street View. It also housed the sales office.

Current appearance of the original Saxon home in Livermore's Ivanhoe Villas.
Original Saxon model today via Google Street View. Note the original Sunset lamp post.

Current appearance of the original Plan 4 home in Livermore's Ivanhoe Villas.
Original Plan 4 model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 5 home in Livermore's Ivanhoe Villas.
Original Plan 5 model today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 1000 home in Livermore's Ivanhoe Villas.
Original Plan 1000 model today via Google Street View.

Legacy of Ivanhoe Villas

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.

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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Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM

    Just a simple mistake, there is no shared wall between the Ivanhoe Villas. Each home has its own wall. Air gap in the middle separates each , I have the brochure. Builder is very proud of how quiet this makes his homes!

    ReplyDelete

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