The Expandables — tract guide to Livermore homes (1969)

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.

Black-and-white vintage newspaper ad from October 26, 1969, promoting Kaufman & Broad’s Expandable homes in Livermore. The ad reads: “Introducing your first and second home. The Expandable. It’s so new that it makes ‘tomorrow’ sound old-fashioned.” The layout features bold text, mid-century typography, and a call to visit the model homes.
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 is The Expandables 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.

Annotated aerial map showing the boundaries of The Expandables neighborhood in Livermore.
Annotated aerial map of The Expandables tract in Livermore, California. Commonly known as the Somerset neighborhood. Base imagery from Google Maps.

Selling the tract

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.

Vintage black-and-white newspaper ad dated February 22, 1970, for Kaufman & Broad’s Expandable homes. The ad features the headline: “Kaufman & Broad invents a great new way to stretch a buck.” A floor plan is shown with shaded cutouts indicating optional future expansions. Text promotes affordability and the ability to grow the home over time.
"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.

Pricing history of The Expandables homes

  • 1969: $18,990 + 
  • 1970: $19,990 - $26,990

The homes of The Expandables

When The Expandables opened, buyers toured a carefully staged collection of Kaufman & Broad model homes showcasing the neighborhood’s mix of architecture, indoor-outdoor living, and family-oriented floor plans. Though individual elevations varied, these original models helped define much of the neighborhood’s visual identity.

The six original models opened in 1969 on Curlew Road.

Zoomed-in map showing the location of the six original model homes in The Expandables subdivision, situated on Curlew Road near East Jack London Boulevard in Livermore, CA. Lots are labeled to indicate each model plan.
Annotated aerial map of The Expandables model home complex on Curlew Road. Base imagery from Apple Maps.

Model homes of The Expandables

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.

2. The Plan 2 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,265 sq. ft.

3. The Plan 3 - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,400 sq. ft.

4, The Plan 4 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,750 sq. ft.

5. The Plan 5 - 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,802 sq. ft.

6. The Plan 6 - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 1,450 sq. ft.

Current appearance of the original Plan 1 home in Livermore's The Expandables.
Original Plan 1 model home today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 2 home in Livermore's The Expandables.
Original Plan 2 model home today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 3 home in Livermore's The Expandables.
Original Plan 3 model home today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 4 home in Livermore's The Expandables.
Original Plan 4 model home today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 5 home in Livermore's The Expandables.
Original Plan 5 model home today via Google Street View.

Current appearance of the original Plan 6 home in Livermore's The Expandables.
Original Plan 6 model home today via Google Street View.

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 built out, with only 15 homes remaining for sale. Prices had risen slightly by then, ranging from $19,990 to $26,990, depending on plan and lot size.

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.

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