Pleasanton > Pleasanton Valley > Something Special series
By 1969, Morrison Homes took suburban living to the next level with what many consider their finest series: Something Special. Designed by architect Jack Bloodgood, AIA, and brought to life by interior designer Julie Sherman, these homes redefined what modern living could be. The grand unveiling at the Elmridge Court model complex was a spectacle, drawing large crowds eager to see the innovative features, including vaulted ceilings, master suites with private retreats, and the now-iconic sunken conversation pits.
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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 innovative features for the modern homemaker, including vaulted ceilings, sunken conversation pits, and garden-view kitchens. |
Selling the series
The Something Special series introduced five distinct homes, each showcasing cutting-edge features that blended form with function. These homes were all about breaking boundaries and offering a fresh perspective on suburban living:
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. This seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living was ahead of its time.
Conversation pits: A sunken living area, centered around a fireplace, provided a cozy and stylish place to gather and relax, offering a sense of intimacy and comfort.
Vaulted ceilings: These dramatic ceilings created a sense of openness, making every room feel larger and more inviting.
Open staircases: Serving as sculptural focal points, open staircases added visual impact and elegance to the homes, complementing the vaulted ceilings and enhancing the overall sense of space.
Master bedrooms with private retreats: Many of the homes featured master suites with an additional private retreat space, offering homeowners a personal sanctuary within the home.
These features not only added to the beauty of the homes but also elevated the way residents experienced everyday life.
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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. |
Buildout
By late 1974, the Something Special series had sold all its homes, completing a phase of Pleasanton Valley’s expansion that would set the stage for years to come.
Exploring the original Something Special series today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Something Special series model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Morrison's vision for suburban living in 1969.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Pleasanton Valley's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
Original prices
- 1969: $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 Something Special series' five original model homes were arranged on Elmridge Court around a temporary sales complex that welcomed prospective buyers during the neighborhood's grand opening in February 1969. While the sales office disappeared long ago, the model homes remain, allowing visitors to trace the neighborhood's beginnings more than fifty years later.
Additionally, both the Heritage House and Holiday House from the earlier Walnut Grove Series of homes 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 the original Something Special 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 Woodhaven House
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| March 1972 newspaper ad promoting the Woodhaven House model in Pleasanton Valley, highlighting its appeal as a "great $36,000 home." The ad features the floor plan and showcases the spacious design, making it a standout option for homebuyers at the time. |
The Miramar House
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| June 1971 newspaper ad showcasing the Miramar House model in Pleasanton Valley, offering 2,093 square feet of living space for $38,250. The ad highlights the home's spacious design and the luxury features that made it a desirable choice for homebuyers. |
The Gallery House
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| May 1970 newspaper ad showcasing The Gallery House model at Pleasanton Valley, priced at $36,960. The ad highlights the home's spacious design, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, ideal for modern family living. |
The Colony House
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| September 1971 newspaper ad for The Colony House , the all-time best-selling model in Pleasanton Valley. Priced at $35,900, this spacious 1,931 sq. ft. home became a popular choice for families, offering a blend of comfort and functionality. |
The original model homes
1. The Woodhaven House - 4 bedrooms or 3 with a retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,808 sq. ft.
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| Original Woodhaven House model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Miramar House - 4 bedrooms or 3 with a retreat, 2.5 bedrooms, 2,093 sq. ft.
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| Original Miramar House model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Regency House - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,338 sq. ft.
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| Original Regency House model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Gallery House - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,110 sq. ft.
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| Original Gallery House model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Colony House - 4 bedrooms or 3 with a retreat, 2 bathrooms, 1,931 sq. ft. This was the best selling model of all time, and an updated version from the previous home series.
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| Original Colony House model today via Google Street View. |
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