In the summer of 1973, Sunset Homes debuted Shadowbrook, its most prestigious Livermore neighborhood to date. At the time, buyers could select a floor plan from Sunset’s popular Wildwood series, then choose from one of four neighborhoods to build in. But among them, Shadowbrook stood out—set on gently rolling hills with postcard-worthy views and large, private lots. It was clearly the crown jewel.
In June 1974, Sunset closed its Wildwood model complex in Sunset East and opened a new one right within the Shadowbrook neighborhood. For the first time, the model complex took the same name as the neighborhood it was located in—Shadowbrook.
While the floor plans remained the same as those in the earlier Wildwood lineup, the interiors got a full refresh. Updated finishes, fashion-forward colors, and stylish details gave the homes a more contemporary, upscale feel. Buyers could now select a home from the Shadowbrook series and choose either a lot in Shadowbrook itself—or, for those wanting freeway convenience, in The Meadows, Sunset’s development near I-580.
This model complex would be Sunset’s last in Livermore.
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| June 1974 Fremont Argus ad—arm in arm, bikes by their side, and possibility on the horizon—Shadowbrook invited couples to point, dream, and picture a life where the countryside was the backyard. |
Where Shadowbrook is located in Livermore
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| Annotated aerial map of the Shadowbrook neighborhood in Livermore, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Selling the subdivision
While other Sunset neighborhoods offered comfortable suburban living, Shadowbrook leaned more luxurious. Streets were wide and curving, the setting was quiet, and the lots averaged between a quarter and a third of an acre—nearly twice the size of the typical suburban plot. Tucked between vineyards and open fields, it offered just enough elevation for sweeping views and cool evening breezes.
Shadowbrook’s most unique feature is its preservation of over 40 acres of open space. On the east side, the historic grounds of the Victorian-era Ravenswood estate. To the west, Independence Park and its popular soccer field. Linking the two is a landscaped path that winds through the neighborhood—perfect for walking, biking, or just taking in the view.
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| October 1973 Fremont Argus ad—Shadowbrook promised space, serenity, and a touch of grandeur—where quarter-acre lots turned everyday living into something a little more regal. |
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| June 1975 Oakland Tribune ad—quarter-acre lots meant your backyard wasn’t just for show—it was a destination. Fire pit nights, lawn games, and space to grow… all part of the Sunset dream. |
Legacy of Shadowbrook
Sales at Shadowbrook wrapped up in early 1977, quietly marking the end of Sunset Homes’ 25-year presence in Livermore. By then, the company had built nearly everywhere—from starter homes to hillside estates—but none quite matched Shadowbrook’s graceful setting and elevated tone. Today, it remains among Livermore’s most desirable neighborhoods, thanks to its large lots, timeless homes, and a setting that still feels just a little removed from the rest of town.
Exploring the original Shadowbrook today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Shadowbrook model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Sunset's vision for suburban living in 1973.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Shadowbrook's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
Original prices
- 1974: $47,950 - $56,950
- 1975: $51,850 - $61,150
- 1976: $56,950 - $66,950
- 1977: $75,950 +
Original model home complex
Shadowbrook's six original model homes were arranged on Superior Drive around a temporary sales complex that welcomed prospective buyers during the neighborhood's grand opening in June 1974. While the sales office disappeared long ago, the model homes remain, allowing visitors to trace the neighborhood's beginnings more than fifty years later.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Shadowbrook model home complex on Superior Drive. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Original sales materials
The following newspaper advertisements document the original Shadowbrook 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 Pinewood
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| June 1974 newspaper ad for the Pinewood model at Shadowbrook in Livermore. Marketed with the promise, “Here is your own private world on one-fourth acre,” the Pinewood offered spacious suburban living with generous lot sizes and privacy—a key selling point for East Bay homebuyers in the mid-1970s. |
The original model homes
1. The sales office (The Redwood) - 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,304 sq. ft. This home was used as the sales office.
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| Original Shadowbrook sales office, in a Redwood model, with original lamp post. Image via Google Street View. |
2. The Silvertip - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,291 sq. ft.
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| Original Silvertip model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Cypress - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,730 sq. ft.
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| Original Cypress model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Redwood - 5 bedrooms or 4 with a sitting room in the primary bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 2,304 sq. ft.
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| Original Redwood model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Magnolia (Plan 880) - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,664 sq. ft. Notable for its infamous kitchen-in-the-round.
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| Original Magnolia model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Pinewood - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,076 sq. ft.
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| Original Pinewood model today via Google Street View. |
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