Colliers Denmark: Residential assets to dominate talks in Cannes

Carsten Gørtz Petersen, CEO of Colliers Denmark, highlights that the race for residential assets will dominate discussions at MIPIM 2026. 

Carsten Gørtz Petersen

International capital has returned to the Danish real estate market faster than expected, with demand now significantly outstripping the limited supply of available assets.
Investor interest in Danish real estate has intensified, featuring a broader investor base and more participants involved in current processes compared to a year ago. The residential segment is particularly attractive due to a combination of limited new construction, rising rent levels, and Denmark’s robust economy.
A notable shift since last year’s MIPIM is the return of traditional core and core-plus capital, moving beyond purely opportunistic investments. While international investors initially retreated when interest rates rose, their re-entry in 2025 was swift; activity has continued to climb in 2026, reaching pre-2022 levels.
Denmark remains well-positioned to attract capital thanks to its stable economy, high employment, fixed exchange rate against the euro, and a transparent, liquid market. Historically, international investors have achieved solid returns from Danish residential assets, further enhancing the country's appeal. While the Nordic region as a whole remains attractive, Denmark is currently leading the way in capital inflow.
According to Gørtz Petersen, the main challenge at MIPIM will not be demand, which is clearly strong, but rather how investors can build residential portfolios given the scarcity of standing assets. This shortage is fuelling increased interest in forward funding and forward purchase structures (investments in development-stage projects). International capital could prove crucial in restarting residential projects that have been on hold, though this may impact prices if supply does not keep pace.
Copenhagen & Aarhus remain the primary targets for investors, while there is increasing potential for major regional cities. Signs also suggest that row-house developments in municipalities surrounding major cities are emerging as a distinct and viable investment segment.
Carsten Gørtz Petersen added: “For me personally, MIPIM is first and foremost an annual calibration of the market and our clients’ needs. Networking is important, of course—but what truly matters is whether my reading of the market holds, or whether reality has shifted. When I return home with a clear sense that the client needs to align with what the market can deliver, it has been a successful MIPIM year.”