Between 1970 and 1971, Albert D. Seeno built the Brookdale new-home community in San Ramon. While the name Brookdale evokes thoughts of peaceful, tree-lined streets, the subdivision’s heart was actually nestled around Springdale Lane. Over time, the local residents decided that Springdale had a certain ring to it, and so, the name stuck, giving the area a more fitting identity than the original one.
Seeno was no stranger to suburban construction, with a track record of successfully developing neighborhoods across the Bay Area. Brookdale was their entry into the San Ramon market, and it didn’t take long for the homes to start flying off the market. The homes were quality-built, with Seeno’s reputation for craftsmanship adding to the allure of the area.
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| 1971 newspaper ad for Brookdale homes in San Ramon, showcasing the affordability and value of these newly built homes. |
Where is Brookdale?
Today, the original Brookdale community can be found entirely off Springdale Lane.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Brookdale community in San Ramon, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Selling the dream
A glimpse into the original marketing by Seeno for Brookdale. In typical mid-century fashion, the ad promises modern living and quality homes, the perfect backdrop for family life. The homes of Brookdale were designed for comfort, practicality, and that warm sense of belonging.
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| July 1972 Oakland Tribune ad—only a year after opening, the model homes went up for sale as the subdivision was selling out. |
The buildout and controversy
Brookdale’s model homes went up for sale mid-1972, marking the end of a new chapter in San Ramon’s development. However, the subdivision soon became the focal point of a bit of controversy. Homes were completed before the streets and services had been fully finished. As a result, families began moving in—only to find they were without street lighting or police services.
New streets are private property until they are dedicated, and therefore become public. Seeno, mindful of the many moving parts involved in completing a new neighborhood, did his best to accommodate delays. But as with all growing communities, not everyone was willing to wait.
And so, Brookdale stands—a subdivision born of ambition and a dash of whimsy, with homes that reflect the evolving spirit of suburban living in the 1970s. Whether you walk the streets of Brookdale today or glance at a photo from its model days, the warmth and charm of this community continue to shine through.
Exploring the original Brookdale today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Brookdale model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Seeno's vision for suburban living in 1971.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Brookdale's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
Original advertised prices
- 1971: From $26,550
- 1972: $33,250 - $35,750
Original model home complex
When Brookdale opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Seeno 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.
Although five designs were offered, just four original models opened in 1971 on Tareyton Avenue.
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| Annotated aerial map of the original Brookdale model home complex on Tareyton Avenue. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Original model home designs
1. The Plan 1 - This model offered approximately 1,238 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 1 model today via Google Street View. This home also housed the sales office. |
2. The Plan 2 - This model offered approximately 1,479 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 2 model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Plan 3 - This model offered approximately 1,357 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original model is camera shy. A current photo of another Plan 3 home via Google Street View. |
4. The Plan 4 - This model offered approximately 1,361 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Plan 4 model today via Google Street View. |
Collections
San Ramon — the neighborhoods that built a suburban city
This collection explores the new-home communities, builders, and neighborhoods that shaped San Ramon during its principle years of suburban growth that gradually became the modern city.
The San Ramon Village collection explores the master-planned community that transformed former ranches and orchards into today's Dublin and South San Ramon. Although the name has largely disappeared, the neighborhoods, subdivisions, schools, parks, and shopping centers built as part of the original plan continue to shape the Tri-Valley.
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