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 a double-leaf party wall between them, offering the feel of a detached home but with less upkeep.
These homes were so successful, they sold out in just eight months.
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| September 1970 Oakland Tribune ad announcing the grand opening of Ivanhoe Villas. |
Where are the Ivanhoe Villas?
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.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Ivanhoe Villas community in the Sunset East neighborhood in Livermore, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Selling the dream
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.
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| January 1971 Oakland Tribune newspaper clipping—Sunset Homes kitchens were always the star of the show, with a walls of windows in the Saxon model looking out onto the patio. |
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| 1979 newspaper clipping showing the floor plan of the Plan 1000. |
Legacy of Ivanhoe Villas
Ivanhoe Villas sold rapidly—half of the homes were purchased by November 1970. By May 1971, Sunset Homes was reporting all units were sold, completing one of their 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 neighborhoods.
Exploring the original Ivanhoe Villas today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Ivanhoe Villas 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 Ivanhoe Villas' earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
Original advertised prices
- 1970: $18,950 - $22,950
- 1971: $18,950 - $23,950
Original model home complex
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 1970 on Cartier Drive.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Ivanhoe Villas model home complex on Cartier Drive. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Original model home designs
1. The Plan 1 - This model offered approximately 1,192 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 1 model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Plan 2 - This model offered approximately 1,008 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 2 model today via Google Street View. It also housed the sales office. |
3. The Saxon - This model offered approximately 1,496 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Saxon model today via Google Street View. Note the original Sunset lamp post. |
4. The Plan 4 - This model offered approximately 1,192 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 4 model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Plan 5 - This model offered approximately 1,200 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 5 model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Plan 1000 - This model offered approximately 858 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
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| Original Plan 1000 model today via Google Street View. |
Collection
Livermore — the places that built a modern city
This collection explores the new-home communities, builders, and neighborhoods that transformed Livermore during the decades when ranches, orchards, and open fields gave way to the neighborhoods that define the city today.
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!
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