In 2009, Dallas-based plastic surgeon Dr. John Tebbetts and his then-wife, Terrye Westhafer, bought nearly 200 acres in McAllister, Mont., a small community about 45 miles southwest of Bozeman. “McAllister is basically a sign on the highway,” Westhafer says.

Tebbetts, who was familiar with the area from fly-fishing, had a vision for the plot, which borders thousands of acres of federally-managed land. He wanted a vacation home made of concrete, steel and glass that would blend with the terrain.

But there was a hitch.

Despite plenty of flat spots on the parcel, Tebbetts wanted to build on a rock ridge, a choice fraught with construction obstacles. Success, however, promised a payoff: 360-degree views of mountain peaks, Ennis Lake and the vast Madison Valley expanse.

“He was determined,” Westhafer says, “He was a very good plastic surgeon. If he could build you a new nose and a new face, he could certainly build a house on a rock ridge.”

Construction challenges, A dream built on a rock, Can’t-miss feature, Adventure time, Reason for selling?, Market snapshot

The house isn’t a typical Montana-style log home.

The interior has a soft, warm atmosphere that helps offset the industrial materials used for the structure.

Design elements include reclaimed wood beams, rolled tin ceilings and a fireplace whose stones were each handpicked.

The kitchen has a 15-foot-long island that is ideal for entertaining.

Construction challenges

Everything felt like a hurdle, Westhafer says, from finding contractors who would work with Tebbetts’ vision to sourcing and transporting materials and equipment to the site. “His dream involved some dynamite and lots of challenges, and lots of money and time,” she says.

Construction of the home took three years and cost roughly $5 million.

A dream built on a rock

The pair built the 5,967-square-foot main house on one of the lot’s most vertical rockscapes, as well as a massive garage with a second-floor apartment that spans 2,400 square feet.

The design prioritizes elevated living in a rugged environment. There is a 630-foot underground tunnel with an elevator that connects the main house to the five-bay garage, which has a carwash.

“Realizing the elevation drop from the main house to the garage sparked the tunnel innovation,” says Westhafer, 57, a plastic surgery consultant.

The residence is also self-sufficient, with a 600-foot well that provides drinking water, buried cisterns, propane tanks and backup generators.

Can’t-miss feature

The view from the open-concept living and dining area is “the icing on the cake,” Westhafer says. The primary suite is cantilevered off the rock ridge and has floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

The main level has a primary suite. Two additional en-suite bedrooms are located downstairs.

The house has radiant in-floor heating, Crestron automation and Sonos surround sound.

“The engineering of this house had to be masterful, and it was,” Westhafer says. “It is as solid as a rock 16 years later.”

Adventure time

The lot offers hiking and rock climbing in addition to horseback riding, as the property has a three-stall barn and 5 acres of fenced pasture. The public land provides access to more hiking, four-wheeling and swimming, among other activities.

Reason for selling?

Tebbetts died three years ago, after he and Westhafer had divorced. Westhafer, who lives in Dallas, can’t get to Montana as frequently now. “We put so much into the house,” she says. “It deserves to be full of laughter.”

The lower level has a theater room, walk-in safe and gym room with a patio.

The acreage surrounding the land makes the house feel private. The closest cities are Ennis, about 20 minutes south, and Bozeman, roughly 45 miles northeast.

Market snapshot

“McAllister is a small, tight-knit community of fewer than 300 residents, so inventory is traditionally quite limited,” says Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty’s Charlotte Durham, the property’s listing agent. Currently, there are just 10 residential listings.