The expandable home trend in Tri-Valley: 1960s–1970s

In the booming post-war years of the 1960s and 1970s, the Tri-Valley area embraced a unique housing innovation: the expandable home. Designed to grow with families, these flexible homes offered affordable initial pricing with the option to add bedrooms and living spaces later. This clever concept met the needs of young buyers eager to start their homeownership journey without sacrificing future space or comfort.

What are expandable homes?

Expandable homes were built with unfinished areas—often an upper floor or basement—that could be completed as families expanded or budgets allowed. This modular approach allowed buyers to purchase a smaller, more affordable home upfront, then customize and enlarge it over time.

Black-and-white 1968 newspaper photo of a finished bonus room featuring a pool table, posters, and casual seating in a suburban expandable home.
A 1968 bonus room in action—finished as a lively games room, showing the flexibility of expandable home design.

Builders highlighted models like the “Room Maker,” which debuted in the late 1960s in Dublin. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms initially, it featured an unfinished second story that could be finished later, adding a hobby space, more bedrooms, and a bathroom.

1967 ad for the Room Maker expandable home with an optional unfinished second story.
The Room Maker model offered affordable flexibility for growing families.

Why did expandable homes become popular?

  • Affordability: Rising home prices and limited financing options made expandable homes attractive to first-time buyers.

  • Flexibility: Families could move in quickly and expand their living space as needed.

  • Customization: Buyers could tailor the home’s growth according to their personal preferences and financial means.

Expandable homes in Tri-Valley communities

Dublin: a creative start

Parkwood San Ramon – Monarch Construction (1962)

One of the earliest expandable designs came from Monarch Construction in Parkwood San Ramon.

Two-story Parkwood San Ramon home with an unfinished second floor designed for future use.
The Plan 3 model featured an entire second floor as a “bonus room.”

Appletree – American Housing Guild (1967)

The Room Maker model introduced an unfinished second story that included windows but unfinished, highlighting the do-it-yourself nature of these homes.

1967 ad for Room Maker model with flexible second-story expansion in Dublin.
The Room Maker: a creative solution for families looking to build as they go.

Livermore: a pioneer in affordability

Somerset – H.C. Elliott (1968)

The original Somerset House offered a two-bedroom layout with an unfinished second story.

Livermore’s Somerset House with expandable second-story option.
Somerset House with flexible design—stairs and windows sold separately.

A revision of the Somerset House, the 1969 Spacemaster included blueprints and a kit for a 500 sq. ft. second story. In 1970 it came with pre-installed second-story windows and a DIY staircase kit.

Exterior of a Spacemaster model home with pre-built upstairs windows.
The Spacemaster: offering blueprints, windows, and a staircase kit for future upgrades.

Pleasanton: a future-forward option

Valley Trails – Morrison Homes (1970)

Morrison’s Now and Future House lived up to its name with a design that could be purchased as a finished 4-bedroom or left at a 2-bedroom starter.

Single-family home in Pleasanton’s Valley Trails with optional second floor.
The Now and Future House gave buyers a choice: grow now or later.

San Ramon: flexible living in a country setting

Country Club Park – Volk-McLain (1962)

The Woodside model offered an upstairs “bonus room” or up to three additional bedrooms and a bath.

Two-story home in San Ramon’s Country Club Park, with expandable upper floor.
Woodside model in Country Club Park, San Ramon, with flexible second-story potential.

California Classics – William Lyon Homes (1968)

The Look Ahead House included a convertible second story that could be finished later as two more bedrooms.

California-style ranch home with potential for upstairs expansion.
California Classics Look Ahead House: understated, expandable elegance.

Impact on Tri-Valley’s growth

The expandable home trend helped fuel the rapid suburban expansion of Tri-Valley in the 1960s and 1970s. By allowing families to buy within their means and build equity gradually, these homes supported a broader demographic of homeowners, contributing to the area’s diversity and vitality.

Legacy of expandable homes today

Many of the original expandable homes remain in Tri-Valley neighborhoods, their once-unfinished spaces now fully realized. These homes stand as a testament to a forward-thinking approach to suburban development—balancing affordability, practicality, and family needs.

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