Tract Guide: Briarhill (Dublin homes, 1963)
Perched on the rolling hills of west Dublin, the Briarhill subdivision stands as a symbol of postwar optimism and suburban luxury in the Tri-Valley region. Spanning 106 acres of undulating land with commanding views of the Amador Valley, Briarhill was more than a housing development—it was a vision for a new kind of suburban living, one that blended architectural ambition, exclusivity, and the aspirations of the Bay Area’s burgeoning middle class.
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| Vintage Briarhill advertisement, December 1964: Promoting one of the model homes praised in McCall’s Magazine, this ad highlights the charm of Briarhill’s mid-century architectural style—rustic yet refined. Features like the hand-split cedar-shake roof, wide windows, and generous chimney captured the imagination of suburban buyers seeking a blend of elegance and country comfort. |
Where is Briarhill in Dublin?
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| Annotated aerial map of the Briarhill tract in Dublin, California. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The birth of Briarhill: 1963–1967 (Perma-Bilt Enterprises)
The story begins in 1963, when San Leandro-based Perma-Bilt Enterprises broke ground on the Briarhill subdivision. At the time, Dublin was still emerging from its agricultural roots and grappling with the rapid pace of suburbanization spreading eastward from Oakland and Hayward. Briarhill marked a turning point: it was Dublin’s first true "upscale" neighborhood, setting itself apart from more modest tracts like San Ramon Village.
With new homes priced from $24,950—nearly $8,000 more than those in nearby neighborhoods—Briarhill was marketed as a luxury enclave. Perma-Bilt emphasized large, hillside lots, modern floorplans, and elegant amenities. Each home was designed to take advantage of the natural terrain, with oversized windows to capture views of the valley and beyond.
Selling the tract
The homes themselves reflected the refined tastes of the mid-1960s buyer. Spacious ranch-style and split-level homes featured vaulted ceilings, formal dining rooms, and multiple bathrooms—luxuries still uncommon in many Bay Area tracts at the time. Perma-Bilt's craftsmanship and quality finish work earned them a loyal following, particularly among families upgrading from smaller homes in Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Leandro.
By 1965, Briarhill’s "Observation Hill" phase pushed development higher up the slopes, offering lots at 800 feet elevation—some of the highest residential parcels in Dublin at the time. With 10,000-square-foot lots and panoramic vistas, this was Dublin’s answer to hillside luxury living.
Equally innovative was the financing. Buyers were enticed with 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and no balloon payments—important at a time when some nearby subdivisions, like San Ramon Village, began experiencing financing difficulties. A modest $1,000 deposit was all that was needed to secure a home.
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| Observation Hill advertisement, September 1965: Announcing the debut of Briarhill’s highest phase—Observation Hill—this boldly styled ad leaned into elevation as both a geographic and social metaphor. With the tagline “To live anywhere else is beneath you,” and a playful illustration of closed eyes and a turned-up nose, the ad appealed to buyers seeking not just views, but status. Lots in this phase sat 800 feet above the valley floor and offered panoramic vistas unmatched in Dublin at the time. |
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| "So Call Us Crazy" Briarhill ad, January 1967: This striking 1967 advertisement captured the confident tone of the era’s real estate boom. Offering a magnificent 5-bedroom, 3-bath hillside home with sweeping valley views for just $1,000 down, the ad playfully acknowledged its own audacity: “So call us crazy.” With a commute time of only 20 minutes to Oakland, Briarhill was pitched as an unbelievable opportunity—luxury living within reach of the East Bay's growing professional class. |
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| Briarhill Kitchen, January 1964: This newspaper photo showcased one of Briarhill’s modern kitchens, described at the time as both "spacious and efficient." The inclusion of a built-in breakfast bar—a novelty in suburban homes of the early 1960s—reflected the shift toward informal, family-centered living in postwar home design. |
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| From an Oakland Tribune photo dated March 1966—Homebuyers were interested in new ways of manipulating space. While some developers offered sunken rooms, Briarhill offered a raised formal dining room to create a more intimate effect. |
Pricing history of Briarhill homes
- 1963 (preview): $24,950 +
- 1964: $25,950 +
- 1965: $26,960 +
- 1966: $28,500 +
- 1967: $28,500 +
- 1970: $29,500 - $43,500
- 1971: (unknown)
- 1972: $37,900 +
The Perma-Bilt homes of Briarhill (1963–1967)
In 1964, four model homes opened on Hansen Drive, followed by a fifth in 1965. These showpieces were placed strategically near the Briarhill Cabana Club, an Olympic-sized pool and community center exclusive to residents—a hallmark of suburban prestige at the time. With golf courses at both Castlewood Country Club and the nearby San Ramon Country Club, Briarhill promised more than just a house—it offered a lifestyle.
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| vAnnotated aerial map of the Briarhill model home complex on Hansen Drive. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Model homes of Briarhill
1. The Plan 1 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,774 sq. ft.
2. The Plan 2 - 4 or 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 1,901 sq. ft.
3. The Plan 3 - 4 or 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 2,220 sq. ft.
4. The Plan 4 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,971 sq. ft.
5. The Plan 5 - 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 2,031 sq. ft. Model opened in 1965.
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| Original Plan 1 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 2 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 3 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 4 model today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Plan 5 model today via Google Street View. |
Boise-Cascade takes the reins: 1970–1972
In 1970, national conglomerate Boise-Cascade acquired Perma-Bilt and moved to complete the subdivision, bringing with it a streamlined approach and new architectural offerings. Though only 37 homes were built under Boise-Cascade’s tenure, they marked a transition to slightly larger, more contemporary layouts.
A new trio of model homes opened along Silvergate Drive, showcasing two-story reverse floor plans—an unusual but space-efficient design. However, 10 different floor plans were available. Though the development period was short-lived, it left its architectural imprint on the neighborhood.
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| "Up the Hill, Overlooking the Valley" – Boise-Cascade grand opening ad, April 1970 This striking ad marked Boise-Cascade’s debut in Briarhill, inviting buyers to explore a "world apart" in Dublin’s premier hillside neighborhood. With prices ranging from $29,500 to $43,500, these new homes promised scenic views, modern design, and a lifestyle elevated—both literally and figuratively. |
The Boise-Cascade homes of Briarhill (1970–1972)
Model homes
1. The Plan 1 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms; 2,082 sq. ft. A reverse 2-story home with entrance on the upper-level.
2. The Plan 2 - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,064 sq. ft. Another reverse 2-story home.
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| Original Boise-Cascade Plan 1 today via Google Street View. |
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| Original Boise-Cascade Plan 2 today via Google Street View. |
Infill & completion: Dublin Construction Company and beyond
Later in 1972, Dublin Construction Company, a local infill developer, acquired the remaining lots and added a final set of homes. Though Perma-Bilt originally intending to build up to 450 homes across the tract, the completed count came closer to 377 homes by the time their work concluded. The remaining portions of the land would be built out in the 1980s by other developers, completing the transformation of Briarhill from hillside pasture to fully realized neighborhood.
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| Former sales office of Dublin Construction Company on Silvergate Drive, via Google Street View. |
Legacy of Briarhill
More than just a subdivision, Briarhill represents a cultural moment in Dublin’s transformation. It was the first community in the city to blend modern suburban ideals—privacy, prestige, amenities, and scenic beauty—into a cohesive development. The neighborhood drew professionals, educators, and business owners—many of whom would shape Dublin’s early civic life.
Its cabana club and swimming pool became central gathering points, nurturing community ties and forming part of the city's mid-century social fabric. These spaces served not just as leisure areas, but as places where young families built roots in the growing suburb.
Today, the former model homes still stand—some lovingly preserved, others modestly altered—but all carrying the weight of a neighborhood that dared to dream bigger in a time of expansive change.
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