Getting In for 5%: Zenith Residences, International City Phase 2
Zenith Residences is an apartment project by Amber Developments, located in International City Phase 2, Al Warsan 4, Dubai. Construction started in June 2025. Handover targets January 2028. Three payment options are on offer, and the headline is this: two of them require only a 5% down payment to secure a unit.
Three Ways to Structure the Purchase
| Option | Down Payment | During Construction | At Handover | Post-Handover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20% | 45% | 35% | n/a |
| 2 | 5% | 55% | 5% | 35% |
| 3 | 5% | 55% | 40% | n/a |
Option 1 is the conventional path: 20% up front, steady payments during construction, and a clean 35% at handover with no further obligations.
Options 2 and 3 open at 5% down. On a studio priced at AED 772,000, that entry point is AED 38,600. Option 2 then distributes 55% across construction, asks for just 5% at handover, and defers 35% to post-handover. For a buyer who plans to lease the unit immediately, that post-handover tranche can be serviced by rental income rather than drawing from personal capital. Option 3 follows the same 5% entry and 55% construction split, but concentrates a heavier 40% at handover with nothing deferred.
Choosing between Options 2 and 3 is essentially a question about the handover moment: Option 2 softens it significantly, Option 3 consolidates it. Option 1 suits buyers who prefer a higher upfront commitment for a cleaner exit.
What AED 772K to AED 1.3M Looks Like
| Unit Type | Size | Starting Price | Price/sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 671 sq ft | AED 772,000 | ~AED 1,150 |
| 1-Bedroom | 820 sq ft | AED 910,910 | ~AED 1,110 |
| 3-Bedroom | 1,179 sq ft | AED 1,296,999 | ~AED 1,100 |
The price range runs AED 772,000 to AED 1,296,999. The spread is almost entirely a function of unit size. Pricing holds flat at roughly AED 1,100 per sq ft across all three configurations. There is no significant premium or discount by bedroom count.
The studio at AED 772K works for a solo buyer or a buy-to-let investor seeking an accessible entry. A studio at this price with a 5% down payment option means the initial outlay before construction payments begin sits at AED 38,600. The 3-bedroom at under AED 1.3M is a family-sized apartment in Dubai's eastern corridor at a price point that sits below what comparable floor space costs in more central districts.
Al Warsan 4 and Getting Around
Zenith Residences sits in Al Warsan 4, within the International City Phase 2 master development. The area is east of Downtown Dubai. Dubai International Airport is approximately 20 to 25 minutes away. Business Bay is accessible via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, typically 25 to 30 minutes outside peak hours. There is no metro stop in the area; personal vehicles or buses are the primary transport options.
International City is an established residential district in eastern Dubai. The AED 1,100 per sq ft price point at Zenith reflects the area's positioning as an affordable residential zone by Dubai standards.
Six Amenities, One Notable Entry
| Category | Amenities |
|---|---|
| Fitness | Gymnasium, Indoor Swimming Pool |
| Outdoor | Landscaped Gardens, Children's Play Area |
| On-Site | Restaurants, CCTV Security |
Six amenities covers the functional basics. The indoor swimming pool is the standout: it provides a covered, year-round leisure option that adds practical value for residents rather than relying on outside facilities. The children's play area and landscaped gardens point toward family occupiers, consistent with the 3-bedroom configuration in the unit mix. On-site restaurants add daily convenience without requiring residents to leave the building for routine meals.
Thirty Months to Handover
Construction began in June 2025. Handover targets January 2028, approximately 30 months from construction start. For a buyer entering now, the remaining construction payments represent a significant portion of the total. Under Options 2 and 3, 55% of the purchase price is paid during construction. Under Option 1, 45%. Buyers on the lower down payment options carry a heavier payment schedule through construction, which is the trade-off for the lower upfront commitment.