Dublin's Briarhill: 1963–1972 homes & subdivision history

A mid-century ranch-style home in Dublin’s Briarhill neighborhood, featuring a low-pitched roof, wide front lawn, and large picture windows—reflecting the suburban design trends of the 1960s.

Briarhill: Dublin’s first luxury suburb (1963–1972)

A landmark of mid-century aspirations in the Amador Valley

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.

A detailed map of the Briarhill neighborhood in west Dublin, showing streets, housing phases, model home sites, and the location of the cabana club and swimming pool, spanning the original 106-acre subdivision.

Map of Briarhill subdivision (1963–1972):
This map outlines the original 106-acre layout of Dublin’s first upscale hillside neighborhood, showing street names, model home locations, and phases developed by Perma-Bilt Enterprises, Boise-Cascade, and Dublin Construction Company.

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.

A 1964 print advertisement for Briarhill homes, featuring a sketch of a ranch-style house with a cedar-shake roof, wide front porch, broad windows, and a prominent chimney. Text notes that McCall’s Magazine praised the home for its "comfortable, rambling country look."

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.

Upscale living in the Amador foothills

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.

A black-and-white 1964 newspaper photo showing a mid-century kitchen with clean lines, built-in cabinetry, and a breakfast bar with stools—an innovative feature at the time, emphasizing both space-saving design and casual dining.

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.

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.

A 1965 vintage advertisement for Briarhill’s Observation Hill area, featuring a stylized drawing of a person’s face with closed eyes and a raised nose. The tagline reads: “To live anywhere else is beneath you,” promoting the elevated hillside lots as the pinnacle of prestige and scenic living.

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.

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.

A bold 1967 real estate ad for Briarhill featuring large text that reads “So call us crazy,” promoting a spacious 5-bedroom, 3-bath home with scenic views for only $1,000 down. The ad emphasizes the home's proximity to Oakland—just 20 minutes away—and the unlikely affordability of upscale suburban living.

"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.

The homes of Briarhill (Perma-Bilt, 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.

A detailed map of Hansen Drive in Briarhill showing the placement of the first five model homes built by Perma-Bilt between 1964 and 1967. The map indicates proximity to the cabana club and swimming pool within the subdivision.

Map of Briarhill’s first model complex on Hansen Drive (1964–1967):
This map highlights the location of the original five Perma-Bilt model homes that opened on Hansen Drive, including the pivotal Plan 5 model next to the neighborhood’s cabana and swimming pool. The complex offered prospective buyers a firsthand experience of Briarhill’s upscale living environment.

Pricing history

1963 (preview): $24,950 +
1964: $25,950 +
1965: $26,960 +
1966: $28,500 +
1967: $28,500 +

Model homes

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. This same home was also offered at Perma-Bilt's Vintage Hills neighborhood in Pleasanton. Although here, it cost more.

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.

Briarhill today

Here are the former model homes as they appear today

The Plan 1 today

A single-story 1960s ranch-style home with a low-pitched roof, large front-facing picture window, and modest footprint, representing Briarhill’s Plan 1 model—offering 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in a practical yet elegant layout.

Plan 1: practical elegance in a compact design
With 3 bedrooms and 2 baths across 1,774 square feet, Plan 1 offered an efficient yet stylish layout for growing families. Its open living spaces, large front window, and integrated dining area reflected Perma-Bilt’s commitment to functional design without sacrificing comfort.

The Plan 2 today

Plan 2: a versatile family favorite
Plan 2 featured 4 to 5 bedrooms and 3 baths in a spacious 1,901-square-foot layout. This flexible floor plan was designed to meet the needs of larger or multigenerational families, blending form and function with generous living and bedroom areas.

The Plan 3 today

A large, mid-century suburban home representing Briarhill’s Plan 3 model—featuring a wide facade, double garage, and large windows. This 5-bedroom, 3-bath design was the largest of the original Perma-Bilt homes.

Plan 3: the pinnacle of Perma-Bilt luxury
At 2,220 square feet, Plan 3 was the largest and most luxurious model in the original lineup. With 4 or 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, it was also offered in Pleasanton’s Vintage Hills—where it commanded a higher price. Its grand proportions and elevated finishes made it a flagship of Briarhill’s upscale appeal.

The Plan 4 today

A 1960s ranch-style home from Briarhill’s Plan 4 model, showing symmetrical lines, a central entry, and broad windows—featuring 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in nearly 2,000 square feet of living space.

Plan 4: balanced living with style
Combining 4 bedrooms and 2 baths in a 1,971-square-foot plan, Plan 4 offered a balanced layout ideal for families who wanted open spaces for entertaining alongside private bedroom areas. Its distinctive roofline and window placement conveyed understated elegance.

The Plan 5 today

The Briarhill Plan 5 model home, a spacious mid-century design with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Shown near the neighborhood’s cabana club and pool, it featured wide eaves, large front windows, and a family-friendly layout.

Plan 5: family-centered living with room to grow
Introduced in 1965, Plan 5 offered 5 bedrooms and 3 baths in a 2,031-square-foot design. Located next to the cabana and swimming pool, the model home showcased Briarhill’s promise of an elevated lifestyle—spacious interiors paired with resort-style community amenities.

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.

A 1970 vintage advertisement from Boise-Cascade announcing the grand opening of new homes in Briarhill, featuring the slogan “Up the hill overlooking the valley.” The ad promotes prices from $29,500 to $43,500 and describes the homes as “a world apart,” emphasizing their elevated location and upscale appeal.

"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.