Jewel Changi Airport Trustee Pte Ltd has begun constructing its multi-million dollar mixed-use complex in front of Changi Airport Terminal 1.

 

As reported by TRBusiness.com last year, the joint venture between Changi Airport Group (CAG) and CapitaMalls Asia, and the shopping mall business of CapitaLand envisage that this will be ‘a world-class lifestyle destination’ that will enable the Changi air hub to capture passenger mindshare and strongly boost Singapore’s appeal as a stopover point for travellers.

 

Within Jewel, there will be a wide range of retail offerings, which will appeal to shopaholics from around the world. The retail mix is envisaged to include exciting new-to-Singapore concepts, top international brands, as well as home-grown names.

 

The integration of world- class retail brands and unique dining concepts with indoor gardens and leisure attractions will provide visitors with a myriad of experiences all under one roof – making Jewel a one-of- a-kind lifestyle destination for both local residents and tourists.

 

The groundbreaking ceremony today was attended by the Minister for Transport, Lui Tuck Yew as guests were given first sight of Jewel’s architecture and design plans and the planned lifestyle offerings. The ceremony also marked the commencement of expansion works for T1, which will be carried out alongside the construction of the Jewel complex.

 

The redevelopment of the 3.5 hectare site at T1, formerly an open-air car park, will allow Changi Airport to expand the terminal’s footprint and its passenger handling capacity to 24m a year.

 

Designed by a consortium of consultants comprising Safdie Architects led by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie, as well as Benoy and local architects RSP, Jewel features a glass and steel façade that is designed to be ‘visually stunning’.

 

The new project will include ‘world-class retailing’.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Describing the project, Changi management said: “Beneath its distinctive façade, Jewel will be the first in Singapore to seamlessly integrate a refreshing environment of lush greenery amid other attractions and facilities within the same building. The complex – scheduled for completion by end of 2018 – will have five storeys above ground and five basement storeys, covering a total gross floor area of about 134,000sq m.

 

“In line with Singapore’s reputation as a garden city, Jewel will house one of the largest indoor collections of plants in Singapore – with about 22,000sq m of space dedicated to landscaping throughout the complex.

 

“One of Jewel’s centrepiece attractions will be the Forest Valley, a huge five-storey garden filled with thousands of trees, plants, ferns and shrubs. Visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature within this idyllic valley of verdant landscaping and waterfalls, and can even take a hike up the valley in air-conditioned comfort.”

 

Management adds that the other centrepiece of Jewel will be a 40-metre high Rain Vortex, which is expected to be the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Located at the central core of the complex. At nigh time this will transform into a light and sound show with special lighting effects.

 

The top level of Jewel will also feature a park space of approximately 13,000sq m in size, comprising gardens, walking trails, playgrounds and dining outlets. Canopy Park, with engaging and fun play facilities, is designed to be a wonderland for both the young and old.

 

In the surrounding area, there will be food and beverage outlets where visitors will be able to enjoy al fresco-like dining while admiring views of the Forest Valley, in cool comfort throughout the day.

 

To widen the range of accommodation options available at the airport, Jewel will also offer its own hotel with approximately 130 rooms, operated by YOTEL – an international hotel brand with an established presence in Europe and the US.

 

An artist’s impression of how the exterior view might look at night.

 

 

TERMINAL 1 EXPANSION PLAN

The Changi Airport Group adds that as passenger traffic grows so will T1’s handling capacity to provide further room for airline growth at the terminal. With the redevelopment of the open-air car park, CAG will extend the footprint of the terminal building into the space of the site, adding more than 70% to the floor area of the arrival and baggage claim halls.

 

CAG says that while only Terminals 2 and 3 are currently directly linked to the Changi Airport Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station, new pedestrian linkages will be constructed connecting T1 and Jewel to the MRT station, so improving inter-terminal connectivity and accessibility.

 

Lee Seow Hiang, CAG’s CEO and Chairman of Jewel Changi Airport Devt Pte. Ltd (JCAD) said: “An important hallmark of Changi Airport’s growth over the past thirty-odd years has been continual change and innovation. In charting the airport’s future, this spirit continues to underpin our strategy. Faced with intensifying competition, we challenged ourselves to rethink what an airport can be – not just as a gateway for flights, but as a tourism destination on its own.

 

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks only the beginning of this exciting journey. Over the next few years, we will work hard with our designers and contractors to execute our vision and realise our aspirations for Jewel. We look forward to presenting, in four year’s time, an iconic, world-class destination that both Singaporeans and our passengers from all over the world will enjoy, bringing Changi Airport to its next level of growth.”

 

 

The indoor ‘Rain Vortex’ waterfall.

 

Philip Yim, CEO of JCAD said: “We are delighted to mark a new milestone in the development of Jewel Changi Airport. Apart from distinctive design, Jewel will break new ground with its unique mix of attractions, retail and airport facilities, integrated in a way like never before to create a slew of different experiences in a single visit.

 

“Located at the doorstep of the award-winning Changi Airport, it will be a place where Singapore and the World meet. For international travellers, Jewel will be an exciting tourist destination. For Singaporeans, it will be a playground near home where they can share many happy moments with their loved ones. For our retail partners, the opportunity to reach out to the diverse mix of passengers at a major air hub presents exciting prospects,” added Yim.

 

TRBusiness first reported on this development in August 2013. Click here for details: http://www.trbusiness.com/index.php/regional/asia/13696-changi-reveals-project-jewel-plans.html