COPENHAGEN has, in recent years, taken off as a place for weekending Europeans, thanks to its cool vibe and easy access.

However, when it comes to property, not everyone is as keen on the pared-down, neutral styling for which Scandinavian countries are known. Which is good news for the developers of a chic, city-centre apartment building designed in opulent style by the French interiors guru Philippe Starck.

YOO Adelgade is five floors of glamorous accommodation wrapped up in a sleek exterior in the city's Gothersgade Quarter, an area described by the developer as "the pinpoint axis of everything that is fascinating and fabulous in Copenhagen".

Created from the shell of a former 1960s office block, the property is being revamped into sleek urban living spaces by a local builder and YOO, a hip young development company co-owned by Starck, and with Jade Jagger as creative director.

The firm is involved in a number of stylish redevelopment projects around the world, and the company's founder John Hitchcox says that part of the YOO ethos is to pick locations that will be "fun" to work in.

There's already plenty of demand for YOO Adelgade, which is currently taking reservations. The planned 60 apartments and six penthouses are designed with floor-to-ceiling windows that let light flood into the living areas, which will have movable panels to alter the space according to residents' needs.

Those who buy before completion can consult with Starck and his team on one of four interior-styling themes that take care of everything, down to tableware and lighting.

The building has a gym and spa, as well as VIP rooms for hire and underground parking. It also has a splendid 1,800sq m roof terrace, with attractive courtyard areas, topiary, and an elegant glass "orangery" in which to enjoy the winter sun.

The same concept in Dublin would mainly attract young, trendy urbanites and buy-to-let landlords, but in Denmark, it's less predictable.

Rich Millar, of YOO's Danish office, says that the flats are as likely to appeal to emptynesters after a city pad, while Hitchcox thinks they would also suit families.

If you do want to invest, you'll need significant resources. A set of keys currently cost around 10,000plus per sq m, making the smallest flat of 68sq m around 700,000-plus.

It's an amazing price, even by today's standards, but especially considering the recent slackening off in the Danish market. Residential property, which has been going through something of a boom in the past five years, saw prices soar by 175% over that period. It was a situation that many considered unsustainable, and they were proved right this year as growth stalled.

Hitchcox doesn't see this as an issue. "What we're seeing now is more realistic pricing by estate agents. Most property professionals expect prices to close up about 5% for the year."

He predicts that "less interesting projects" will disappear from the plans, while those with something special will flourish. "It's the most expensive property per square metre in the city, " admits Millar, who believes that the price may have to be reconsidered if the market remains flat. Nevertheless, he says that there's no reason why Copenhagen shouldn't be rated alongside equally expensive cities such as London and New York. "It's an amazing city: friendly, cool and trendy, with people who appreciate good architecture and design." In that sense, YOO Adelgade is certainly right at home.

For more information, contact YOO at 0045-70 20 88 42; www. yoodenmark. com.

BUYERS' GUIDE

Non-Danes need government permission to buy property in Denmark, even if they are citizens of EU member states. It helps if you can show ties to Denmark such as family connections or previous residency.

Property can only be lived in year round if it has permanent residence status. Country cottages, which are popular as weekend retreats, often don't qualify.

A buyer can pull out of the deal within six working days of signing the purchase agreement at a cost of one per cent of the purchase price, paid to the vendor.