The appeal of Frederiksberg, one of Copenhagen’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, is its village atmosphere, abundance of green spaces and graceful period homes. Located on the edge of the city center, it is leafy, exclusive and away from the crowds.
Boundaries
Directly west of the city center, Frederiksberg is bounded by two lakes to the east, which forms part of the western border of the city center, Agade street to the north and Grondals Parkvej, another street, to the west. The most southern part is the southern edge of the Sondermarken, a park which adjoins Frederiksberg Have, a vast, green space extending 64 acres.
Frederiksberg Have is situated in the middle of the district’s two main areas, Frederiksberg and Frederiksberg C.
Price range
Buyers pay on average DKK 45,000 (US$6,493) per square meter or DKK 4,182 (US$599) per square foot, according to Peter Sanders, CEO of Danish Homes.
The average size of a one-bedroom apartment is 645 square feet, and costs about DKK 2.7 million ($390,000). The average size of a two-bedroom apartment is at least 1,200 square feet and costs around DKK 5 million (US$722,000). The average size of a three-bedroom flat is about 1,937 square feet and costs about DKK 8.1 million (US$1.16 million).
A standalone house, with four to five bedrooms, is, on average, about 2,700 square feet and costs about DKK 11.3 million (US$1.6 million).
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Frederiksberg Alle, a beautiful, tree-lined street situated in the Frederiksberg C area of Frederiksberg, is considered the district’s best street, said Mr. Sanders. "It is easily accessible from the city center and Frederiksberg Gardens. Prices here can be slightly higher than the average, ranging from DKK 45,000 (US$6,493) to DKK 50,000 (US$7,165) per square meter or DKK 4,182 (US$599) to DKK 4,646 (US$665) per square foot."
Reminiscent of a Parisian boulevard, the avenue is lined with neo-classical French-style buildings and its western end leads to Frederiksberg Have and its beautiful formal gardens.
Housing stock
The neighborhood is made up mainly of low-rise apartment buildings, and they come in a mix of architectural styles, ranging from turn-of-the-20th-century neoclassicism to mid-century modernism to contemporary.
Balconies and communal gardens are common features but off-street parking is a rarity (on-street parking is available for residents but you have to apply for a permit), as are elevators and concierges or porters, although some buildings might have a caretaker.
The district also has some large period villas. These homes are grand, spacious, with four and five bedrooms, and were originally built for single families. Most have private gardens.
Some villas have been converted into spacious apartments, such as those on Frederiksberg Alle and one of its adjoining streets, Nyvej. These sought-after homes often feature open fireplaces, wooden parquet flooring and high ceilings.
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What makes it unique
It’s a quiet, exclusive, relaxed neighborhood with great shops, restaurants and good schools, Mr. Sanders said. "Similar to London’s Mayfair, it has a village atmosphere yet it is within a bustling city," he said.
He added: "It is associated with creative types because many actors and artists bought homes here years ago. The area has become wealthier and more established and, as a result, has become a bit more conservative and restrained."
One of the main draws of the neighborhood is Frederiksberg Have, the city’s most attractive green space. A popular day out for Copenhageners, it has immaculate lawns, which are ideal for picnicking and sunbathing, boating lakes and ornamental gardens.
A highlight of the park, the Frederiksberg Gardens have been designed in English romantic style and features canals, winding paths, lakes and islands, as well as grottos, spinneys and summerhouses, and are a short walk from Copenhagen Zoo.
Overlooking the gardens is Frederiksberg Palace, a beautiful early 18th-century Baroque palace now home to the Royal Danish Military Academy.
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Luxe amenities
Gammel Kongevej (meaning Old King’s Road) is the main shopping area in Frederiksberg. Running parallel with Frederiksberg Alle, it has high-end clothing boutiques such as the Danish fashion brand Ganni and Nue, an outlet for trendy designer labels such as Alexander Wang, along with coffee shops, cafes and restaurants.
Located at the eastern end of Gammel Kongevej, Værnedamsvej is a small, bustling shopping street that VisitCopenhagen.com has described as "kid-friendly, cozy, relaxed and Frenchy."
Foodies will love Granola, a trendy coffee shop and lounge; La Gourmand, a posh grocery store which sells high-quality French foods; La Trois Cochons, a restaurant serving traditional Gallic fare; and Helges Ost, a cheesemonger.
Other highlights include Playtype, a concept store dedicated to typography, and jewelry shop Pigen & Diamanten. Nearby in Vesterbro is Falernum, a wine bar popular with a hipster crowd.
The district is also home to a well-regarded French school, the Lycee Francais Prins Henrik, a co-ed primary and secondary school.
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Who lives there
The area appeals to people across a range of ages, sectors and professions.
Once a hotspot for artists and actors, many young creative types now head to nearby districts of Norrebro and Vesterbro, as they are more affordable.
The district is also home to a significant community of French expats because of its proximity to the Prins Henrik School.
Notable residents
A number of Danish politicians, including Lars Barfoed of the Conservative People’s party and Pia Gjellerup of the Social Democrats; pop singer Christina Chanee and footballer Christian Grothan are among the neighborhood’s most well-known residents.
The film director Carl Theodor Dreyer, best known for the films "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (1928), and Carl Christian Hall, a 19th-century politician, once lived in the neighborhood.
The artist Gerda Wegener, best known for her portraits of glamorous women in Art Deco style, lived here with her husband, Einer Wegener, who was one of the first-documented recipients of gender reassignment surgery. The recent film "The Danish Girl," which starred Eddie Redmayne, is a fictional account of their lives.
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Outlook
Frederiksberg has become more expensive since the global financial crisis nine years ago, according to a spokeswoman from the Estate real estate agency. "The area has become increasing popular and house prices have risen with demand."
Mr. Sanders said he thinks that prices are likely to keep on rising this year as interest rates are low. "It is cheap to borrow money as interest rates are just above 0%. They have been low for a while and there is no sign yet that there is a rate rise on the horizon."
Buyers note: Overseas purchasers in the E.U. are allowed to buy residential property in Denmark but they need approval from local authorities. Those outside the E.U. must gain approval from the Ministry of Justice and must have lived in Denmark for five years.