On October 26, 1969, Kaufman & Broad unveiled their latest housing concept in Livermore: The Expandables. This subdivision was a direct response to the growing challenge of affordability for first-time homebuyers at the tail end of the 1960s. Rising home prices and tightening credit standards were making traditional homeownership increasingly out of reach, particularly for younger families. Kaufman & Broad, drawing on the success of a similar development in Huntington Beach, brought this innovative model to the Tri-Valley area.
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| Grand opening advertisement – October 26, 1969 A vintage newspaper ad announcing the debut of The Expandables in Livermore. With the tagline, “Introducing your first and second home,” Kaufman & Broad emphasized the homes’ innovative design—affordable now, expandable later. The ad boldly declared: “It’s so new, it makes tomorrow sound old-fashioned.” |
Where The Expandables is located in Livermore
Kaufman & Broad pointed to location as one of the subdivision’s main draws. The site—bounded by East Jack London Boulevard (then still known as East Las Positas), Olivina Avenue, and Murrieta Boulevard—was carefully chosen for its long-term appeal. Proximity to downtown Livermore, strong local schools, emerging institutions like Las Positas College, and nearby parks and recreation reinforced the area’s promise. Kaufman & Broad believed people stayed longer in homes where the location still suited them over time, and they planned accordingly.
The Expandables were nestled between two H. C. Elliott developments—Somerset West and Somerset South (also containing Knuppe Garden Homes). Despite being a distinct development, The Expandables are often considered part of the larger “Somerset” neighborhood in local reference.
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| Annotated aerial map of The Expandables tract in Livermore, California. Commonly known as the Somerset neighborhood. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
Selling the subdivision
Unlike conventional expandable homes of the era—which often featured unfinished attic or second-story spaces awaiting conversion—The Expandables were designed with future growth in mind, rather than unfinished space. Buyers could purchase a modest, single-story home at an accessible price point, with the option to expand their living space over time while maintaining architectural consistency.
Homes were priced starting at just $18,990—making them the most affordable new construction homes in Livermore at the time. In comparison, the adjacent Somerset Homes by H. C. Elliott started at $1,000 more and offered a more traditional expandable layout with partially finished interiors. The Expandables instead emphasized completed, livable space up front, with the ability to grow as family and financial circumstances evolved.
These were not bare-bones starter homes. Despite their modest footprints, the homes featured contemporary touches that belied their price. Vaulted cathedral ceilings, walk-in closets, airy patio kitchens, spacious bathrooms, and fireplaces were standard. All homes also came with a 5-year builder’s warranty—an unusual level of assurance for the era.
Layouts emphasized flexibility: most homes began with a large living area, a generously sized kitchen, and a private wing containing two or more bedrooms. Garage access was typically external—via a front-facing entry—freeing up interior floor space. The efficient layout and potential for long-term expansion appealed to a growing number of buyers priced out of traditional subdivisions.
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| "Stretch a buck" advertisement – February 22, 1970 In this follow-up advertisement, Kaufman & Broad promoted The Expandables with a focus on value and flexibility. The ad includes a sample floor plan with illustrated cutouts, showing how additional rooms could be added later—highlighting the expandable concept that made these homes ideal for first-time buyers with long-term plans. |
Legacy of The Expandables
The Expandables were an immediate success. A third of all homes were sold before the formal grand opening in October 1969. By May 1970—less than seven months later—the subdivision was largely sold out, with only 15 homes remaining for sale. Kaufman & Broad would go on to open the Green Meadows subdivision alongside The Expandables, which sold out in just five months.
Today, The Expandables stand as a testament to an era of housing experimentation and flexibility. In contrast to larger, more static mid-century developments, these homes offered adaptability without sacrificing design quality. For Livermore, they provided a gateway to homeownership for a new generation and exemplified a forward-thinking approach to suburban planning.
The remaining homes—many still recognizable from their original model layouts—reflect both the aspirations and constraints of the time, and offer a window into how developers responded to the economic pressures of the late 1960s housing market.
Exploring the original Expandables today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Expandables model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Kaufman & Broad's vision for suburban living in 1969.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to The Expandable's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
The original prices
- 1969: $18,990 +
- 1970: $19,990 - $26,990
The original model home complex
The Expandables' six original model homes were arranged on Curlew Road around a temporary sales complex that welcomed prospective buyers during the neighborhood's grand opening in 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.
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| Annotated aerial map of The Expandables model home complex on Curlew Road. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
Square footage ranged widely due to the expandable nature of the designs, with homes as small as 1,120 sq. ft. and as large as 1,800+ sq. ft. The original models were:
1. The Plan 1 - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom; 1,627 sq. ft.
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| Original Plan 1 model home today via Google Street View. |
2. The Plan 2 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,265 sq. ft.
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| Original Plan 2 model home today via Google Street View. |
3. The Plan 3 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,400 sq. ft.
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| Original Plan 3 model home today via Google Street View. |
4, The Plan 4 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,750 sq. ft.
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| Original Plan 4 model home today via Google Street View. |
5. The Plan 5 - 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,802 sq. ft.
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| Original Plan 5 model home today via Google Street View. |
6. The Plan 6 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,450 sq. ft.
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| Original Plan 6 model home today via Google Street View. |
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