This opulent, luxurious, upscale Cuenca penthouse on the Yanuncay River, with a huge wrap-around terrace, is now for sale for the very first time. There are no words that can describe this incredible 2-bedroom, 2.5 bath, 250 sq. meter (2,691 sq. ft) penthouse that boasts an 181 sq. meter (1,948 sq. ft) wrap-around terrace. And, now ... all the furnishings (with the exception of some special pieces) are included in the asking price including a Yamaha C3 Conservatory Grand piano that is also a Mark IV Disklavier, so it will play itself with a wide variety of music on the computer systems that come with the piano.  It’s controlled with a touchscreen tablet.  A double artist's leather bench comes with it.  Other items include limited edition clocks, multiple sets of cutlery, a number of different place settings for an elegant dinner party, tons of small kitchen appliances, custom-made drapes, glassware, one-of-a-kind artwork, linens, and collectibles from around the world.

Enter this stunning home and you are immediately struck by the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that lead out to the side terrace. All windows and doors in the penthouse are double-paned and insulated. Currently used as a piano room, this area of the condo extends into the formal dining room, which accommodates a table and chairs for eight, as well as a sideboard, a china cabinet and fabulous artwork. If you are a virtuoso or a promising piano player, this is the perfect spot for the piano, and a wonderful place to entertain and dazzle your friends. The area can also be used to extend the dining area or create a reading room or small family room directly off the kitchen. A rare, purple glass chandelier over the piano and all the beautiful chandeliers throughout the condo are included in the purchase price. The cabinet behind the grand piano is hand-carved and is the perfect place to display your favorite collectables, photos, or books.

The piano room and dining room flow seamlessly into the gorgeous, gourmet kitchen that offers a hand-crafted island with storage and plenty of room to sit and admire the chef as he/she cooks up whatever your heart desires. The kitchen countertops have brand-new, high-grade granite and there is a unique, arched European-style tiled backsplash behind the five-burner range that also features a pot-filling element. Hand-carved cabinets are found throughout the kitchen and add elegance and grace to this beautiful area of the home. Welcome to old-world elegance in Cuenca.

Included in the purchase price is a GE Profile 5 burner Range with a very high capacity burner, a high capacity range hood vented outside, a huge LG fridge/freezer from the US with French doors, a bottom freezer, and a filtered water and ice system through the door; GE Profile double electric ovens from the US (both are 229 V and one is a convection oven), with probe roasting, bread proofing and self-cleaning features; and an Insinkerator disposal from the US. There is also a 5-filter reverse osmosis water filtration system and a Teka dishwasher.

Adjacent to this cook's kitchen, is a large walk-in pantry, as well as a dedicated laundry room with a scrubbing sink and additional storage. The LG high-capacity front-loading washer and dryer from the States are also included in the sales price.

To the left of the front door is the stunning, oversized living room with a commanding fireplace and large-screen television. The French-style fireplace mantel with a granite top and hearth and a custom firebrick chimney that is vented through the building’s roof for fresh air ventilation brings warmth and charm to this refined living room.  There is also an upgraded fireplace screen. The living room TV surround sound system consists of a 65-inch Samsung 4k QLED high-definition flat-screen TV, a Sony Surround Sound Theatre receiver, a Sony BluRay DVD player, an APC Battery Back UP Power Monitoring Regulator System, and 5.1 Bose Speakers with Subwoofer...all of which will stay.  The apartment is fitted for cable television service.

The living room is large enough for 2 good-sized couches, two comfortable chairs, a huge cocktail table, a console table, and other side tables. This expansive room has an entrance to the front terrace overlooking the river, affording additional light and beautiful outdoor views and a comfy sitting area on the corner offers river, city, and mountain views.  The ultra-fast VPN WiFi with a private fiber optic line on the street will stay with the penthouse guaranteeing the fastest WiFi possible.

The terrace has amazing vistas, sunrises and sunsets affording views of Turi, the Cajas Mountains, the Yanuncay River, and the red-tiled city rooftops of Cuenca. The immense, travertine stone, 3-sided terrace is completely landscaped with automatic drip watering systems. All the planters were professionally planted, and include shrubs, lemon and lime trees, palms, orchids, herbs, lilies, hibiscus trees, roses, ferns, and jasmines, to name a few. All of the plants and pots are included in the sales price. An outdoor security camera system that covers the entire terrace is also included.

The terrace offers room for an entire outdoor kitchen should you want to add that in the future, and is the perfect place for entertaining. The terrace also provides ample and varied sitting areas, dining spaces, and room for container vegetable gardens to add to the lush and beautiful foliage already on site. Two custom sheds have been built on the terrace for outdoor cushions, and gardening supplies as well as additional seasonal household items. This exquisite, one-of-a-kind penthouse also has two parking spaces conveniently located right by the elevators and a large underground bodega/storage unit.

A dazzling social bathroom, currently showcasing vintage black and white photos of Hollywood's "Golden Age" movie stars, is a WOW factor. This is a room you have to see to believe. The social bath vanity is custom-made, and the brass sink faucet and chandelier were brought from the US. 

The very large, en-suite primary bedroom is located off the living room and the primary bathroom vanity with inlay mirrors was hand-made. The bathtub is oversized with a rain shower and wand, and glass enclosed. The WC  is by TOTO and is a handicapped height with dual flush.

Down a lovely hall, you will find the large guest room. The two bedrooms are ideally separated so that both owners and guests can enjoy their privacy. The guest room has a door leading out to the side terrace.

The beautiful wooden, wide-planked floors are underlaid with 3/4 plywood and then overlayed with 1/2 inch Roble, Oak. All glass windows and sliders are double-paned reflective glass. Brass security locks were added to the sliders. And there is upgraded crown molding throughout this fabulous home. 

There is a security system that has 2 control panels integrated with radio-controlled motion, door, window, and fire sensors and can be monitored with your choice of companies if wanted. 

The penthouse is located in an upscale, residential neighborhood on the Yanuncay River. The building has 24/7 security guards/doormen and two elevators. The building is also monitored with security cameras inside and out. 

The building has gas hot water, generators, and an underground water cistern.  Water and sewer is city-supplied.  There is no problem with flushing bath tissue -- an issue that is found throughout Ecuador. The monitored garage entry is opened with an individual remote.  

The listing price for this opulent, luxurious, upscale Cuenca penthouse on the Yanuncay River, with a huge wrap-around terrace and irreplaceable antiques and a Grand Piano valued at $7000, is $550,000. The monthly HOA fee is $365.

If you value extravagance, a little quirkiness, and lavish and sumptuous surroundings -- both indoors and out, -- this just may be your very own Shangri-La. Call for an appointment to see the "best of the best" today.