In 1969, Morrison Homes introduced the Something Special Series in Pleasanton Valley, a collection of five house designs that represented a new level of design for the growing community. Designed by architect Jack Bloodgood, AIA, the homes emphasized features that were still unusual in suburban tract housing, including vaulted ceilings, expanded glass areas, garden-view kitchens, open staircases, and sunken conversation pits. The five model homes opened on Elmridge Court in February 1969, giving prospective buyers a firsthand look at Morrison's vision for modern suburban living.
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| Newspaper ad from the Oakland Tribune, February 1969, announcing the launch of the Something Special Series in Pleasanton Valley. The ad highlights the five new models offering features for modern families, including vaulted ceilings, sunken conversation pits, and garden-view kitchens. |
Designing something special
The Something Special homes were designed around a more open and informal approach to family living. Their distinguishing features brought the outdoors further into the house, opened up interior spaces, and created new ways for families to gather and entertain.
Increased glass areas: Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and glass walls blurred the lines between interior and exterior, turning the garden patio into an integral part of the living space.
Garden-View kitchens: These kitchens featured sliding glass windows that opened up to the patio, making it easy to serve snacks or entertain guests without leaving the kitchen.
Conversation pits: Sunken living areas, centered around a fireplace, provided an informal place to gather and relax.
Vaulted ceilings: Dramatic ceiling heights created a greater sense of openness and volume.
Open staircases: Exposed staircases became architectural features, reinforcing the open character of the interiors.
Master bedrooms with private retreats: Several designs included additional private space associated with the master bedroom, giving homeowners a retreat within the house.
Together, these features gave the Something Special homes a more open, informal character than the conventional ranch houses that had dominated earlier Pleasanton Valley construction.
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| July 1972 clipping from the Oakland Tribune showcasing the grand staircase in the Regency House model at Pleasanton Valley. The dramatic staircase adds elegance and visual appeal to the home’s design, highlighted as a key feature in this luxury model. |
The end of the series
By late 1974, Morrison Homes was advertising closeout prices for the Something Special Series, marking the end of the series' run in Pleasanton Valley.
Exploring the original Something Special Series today
Although the sales office is long gone, the five original model homes remain on Elmridge Court. These houses provide an opportunity to identify the original Something Special designs as they were presented to prospective buyers in 1969.
The guide below identifies each design and, where original advertising is available, pairs it with contemporary sales material and the surviving model home.
Original advertised prices
- Feb. 1969 advertisement: From $30,500
- 1970: $31,250 - $38,750
- 1971: $35,725 - $43,000
- 1972: $39,800 - $47,900
- 1973: $39,900 - $50,450
- 1974: (closeout) $55,400 - $69,300
Original model home complex
The five Something Special model homes were arranged on Elmridge Court around a temporary sales complex for the series' grand opening in February 1969. Although the sales office disappeared long ago, the model homes remain, providing a way to identify the original designs more than 50 years later.
Additionally, both the Heritage House and Holiday House from the earlier Walnut Grove Series were returned to production in spring 1970.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Something Special Series model home complex on Elmridge Court. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Original sales materials
The following newspaper advertisements document four of the five original Something Special designs 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 Woodhaven House
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| March 1972 Oakland Tribune advertisement for the Woodhaven House, showing the 1,801-square-foot floor plan and $35,425 price. |
The Miramar House
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| June 1971 Oakland Tribune advertisement for the Miramar House, showing the 2,093-square-foot floor plan and $38,250 price. |
The Gallery House
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| May 1970 Oakland Tribune advertisement for the Gallery House, showing the floor plan and $36,960 price. |
The Colony House
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| September 1971 Oakland Tribune advertisement for the Colony House, showing the 1,931-square-foot floor plan and $35,900 price. |
Original model home designs
1. The Woodhaven House - This model offered approximately 1,808 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
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| Original Woodhaven House model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Miramar House - This model offered approximately 2,093 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
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| Original Miramar House model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Regency House - This model offered approximately 2,338 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
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| Original Regency House model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Gallery House - This model offered approximately 2,110 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
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| Original Gallery House model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Colony House - This model offered approximately 1,931 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The design was an updated version of a house from Morrison's previous series and became the best-selling model in Pleasanton Valley.
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| Original Colony House model today via Google Street View. |
Continue exploring
- The Pleasanton Valley Series by Morrison Homes — homes in Pleasanton Valley (1964)
- The Walnut Grove Series by Morrison Homes — homes in Pleasanton Valley (1966)
- The Executive Series by Morrison Homes — homes in Pleasanton Valley (1976)
- The Creeks Bend Series by Morrison Homes — homes in Pleasanton Valley (1978)
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