WITH the acceptance of renting as a viable way of life, it could be said that the UK is becoming more and more European in its attitude to housing needs. And with the introduction of loft spaces as housing units, it could even be said that we are becoming more Americanised also.

What it would really need, of course, is the comforting transatlantic system where you wake up in the morning, and know you can pop downstairs for your ready-made breakfast, in the hallway, or just on the corner.

That, believe it or not, is what has come to town, courtesy of one Stefan King, well enough known to the Glasgow club and cafe bar set, and now dabbling with serious intent in the residential letting scene.

His chosen milieu is the former Virginia House, at Wilson and Virginia Street in the city centre. Pass the established security system, and you can wander through and wonder at the amount of space in the 16 loft units now available for trendy types.

As Stefan readily admits, he has spent a bomb on the place - something like #3.5m is the estimate - to end up with a distinct, minimalist style, very open plan and very sleek.

You get polished maple floors that reflect the light from the sash windows and the cool colouring of the walls and high ceiling. The units vary in size and shape, but you're likely to find a large metal ladder prominently displayed, leading to a vast storage space.

There are the original old-fashioned bulbous radiators from yesteryear, tied in to a modern gas-fired boiler and an equally modern living flame gas fire, in gleaming black. Your kitchen is part of the dining space, with good quality storage and domestic units. The same applies to the light fittings and those in the bathroom - heavy gauge stainless steel mostly.

Any of the optional furniture available has been pared down to the essentials: you get an up-market shell and decide just how you want it to look.

In short, it's Stefan bringing Glasgow close to the American way, without overdoing it. He admits this first development probably went right over the top in financial terms, but feels the site justifies his faith in it.

He points out that the flats are fully pre-wired for cable, satellite, speakers and computers - anything that needs wires is catered for already. When he claims 14 plug points for every flat, he's not quite right: I counted at least 21 as we walked round the place. And he makes no apologies for offering the visitor a cappuccino in his Cafee Latte downstairs. After all, this is how the Americans do things. Have a coffee, have your breakfast. It's the way to go, he says.

Next time, a King development might offer bare walls and DIY in capital letters, real American style. Virginia Street can be seen as a halfway house.

Eileen Goodearl of Euan Wallace is handling the development. The units go on offer officially this week. It is, she says, a remarkable project, and unique in the city. Rentals start at a surprisingly attractive #475 a month.

And if anyone would prefer a more traditional style of living, she can offer two and three-bedroom flats at the Kelvin Square courtyard development in the west end. Furnished or unfurnished, prices start at #650, for properties close to Queen Margaret Drive and developed from a former fire station.