Jon "Cal" Callahan and his wife, Peyton Callahan, weren't looking to buy another house. But when a Modernist compound in Texas Hill Country came up for sale, Cal recalls asking Peyton: "Do you want to take a shot at this?"

Since 2022, the couple, who live primarily in the Austin suburb of West Lake Hills, have used the Spicewood property to host work retreats and get-togethers with family and friends. Cal, 54, a former trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, hosts a podcast on personal growth called "The Great Unlearn." He is also an author and investor. Peyton, 52, is a birth doula who also teaches girls and women about puberty and menopause.

Texas is a nondisclosure state, meaning the purchase price isn't public, and the Callahans paid what Cal would only say was a "reasonable" sum.

The home was in excellent condition when they bought it, but the couple added a podcast studio on the second floor. Cal anchored his show from the house-though he often wound up working from the kitchen or living room, which have floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Modernist masterpiece

The home was built around 2001 for Texas beauty mogul John McCall. It is said to be designed by John Covert Watson, who trained under Frank Lloyd Wright.

From above, the roofline resembles a fanned-out deck of cards. The curved theme continues with rounded, glass walls in the great room. An entry rotunda has a built-in seating area and hidden panels that store art.

Elbow room

Located about 40 minutes from downtown Austin, the property sits on a bluff overlooking the Pedernales River. The main house has five bedrooms plus seven "flex" spaces currently configured as a salon, wellness studio and gym.

There is a separate, two-bedroom guesthouse with a stone waterfall.

Can't-miss features

A saltwater, grotto-style pool has a hidden cave and a separate hot tub tucked beneath a tree canopy.

The grounds have gravel pathways, a stone well house and a dog run.

Reason for selling?

Empty-nesters, the Callahans are looking to simplify their lives. They have an additional home in Spicewood that Peyton uses for work, as well as properties in Idaho and Texas. "We want to cut some strings," Cal says. "We're ready to travel."

What he will miss

"The most incredible office ever."

What he won't miss

"Cutting down on responsibilities will feel great to me."

Market snapshot

The couple previously listed the home with another broker for $8.5 million in 2024. "At that time, there wasn't that much motivation to sell," says listing agent Elena Licari.

Austin's market has slowed from a Covid-era boom, but prices seem to have stabilized in the luxury sector, with an expected uptick in buyer activity related to tech IPOs, Licari says.