Crown Jewel

A magnificent landmark will redefine the landscape at Changi Airport in the near future. Codenamed “Project Jewel”, the iconic mixed-use development will add 1,443,000 square feet (“sq ft”) of airport operations facilities, innovative leisure attractions and top retail options to the multi-award winning air hub. Project Jewel is a joint venture between Changi Airport Group (CAG) and CapitaMalls Asia Limited (CMA), with CAG holding 51 per cent and CMA owning the remainder of the S$1.47 billion world-class lifestyle destination.

Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of CAG, said, “With (Project Jewel’s) strategic location at Changi Airport’s doorstep, we are able to integrate this exciting destination seamlessly with the airport’s offerings, to serve both international travellers and local visitors. For the many Singaporeans who already enjoy coming to the airport for leisure, Project Jewel will offer an unprecedented experience of another level.”

“CapitaMalls Asia is excited about partnering Changi Airport Group to create a must-visit destination for tourists to Singapore and passengers transiting through Changi Airport, as well as a unique place that Singaporeans and local residents can enjoy with their families and friends,” said Mr Lim Beng Chee, Chief Executive Officer of CMA.

“We will leverage our experience in developing iconic shopping malls and integrated developments both in Singapore and around Asia, and our well-established network of international and local retailers to deliver a landmark project that will be the pride of Singapore.”

World-class Designers for a World-class Development

Slated to begin construction in the second half of 2014, Project Jewel will sit at the current surface car park fronting Changi Airport Terminal 1 (T1), which measures about 377,000 sq ft. A consortium of internationally renowned design consultants will work on this new landmark. The team comprises Safdie Architects whose lead architect, Moshe Safdie, was responsible for Marina Bay Sands, another of Singapore’s famous landmarks; Benoy, part of the design consortium for Terminal 4; and RSP, respectively the design consultant and local architects for ION Orchard as well as the recently opened Westgate in Singapore.

Global Offerings to Woo an International Crowd

When it is opened by end 2018, the complex will have five storeys above ground and another five basement storeys, comprising two storeys of retail and car park spaces and another three basement storeys dedicated solely to car park spaces. This will increase the parking capacity of the current T1 car park to about 2,500 parking spaces, nearly three times the number of spaces today. Project Jewel will also have a massive, indoor garden with a 40-metre high waterfall in the centre, and there are plans to invite exciting local and international retailers to set up shop in the complex.

“Located at the airport, Project Jewel presents an ideal opportunity for global and local retailers and F&B; operators to create one-of-a-kind stores and dining concepts, to cater to a ready cosmopolitan catchment with more than 50 million passenger movements from 270 cities every year. This will provide an ideal platform both for American and European retailers to introduce and promote their offerings in Asia, as well as Asian retailers to do likewise with a global audience. The integration of indoor gardens, attractions and retail offerings in a single venue will also give brands that have yet to enter Singapore or even Asia, a good reason to be here,” said Mr Lim.

Existing services will be enhanced to improve the passenger travel experience. These include facilities dedicated to fly-cruise and fly-coach passengers. Not forgetting the 32,000-strong airport community, Project Jewel will also have training facilities and communal event spaces. In addition, it will serve as a node that improves connectivity between Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the Changi Airport MRT station.

With a 51,000-sq ft hotel, 576,000 sq ft of retail offerings, 185,000 sq ft of facilities for airport operations, as well as 238,000 sq ft devoted to attractions, Project Jewel aims to capture a greater tourist market share and reinforce Changi Airport’s position as the world’s leading air hub.

IMAGINE What You Can Do

To ensure that Project Jewel remains a truly Singaporean icon, the public is invited to play an integral role in shaping the new development. From now to 31 March 2014, the public can send in photographs, drawings and sketches of their vision for Project Jewel at www.changiairport.com/projectjewel . This creative initiative, titled IMAGINE, is meant to inspire the community and draw strong ideas that can be incorporated into the complex.

“We are very heartened by the strong support shown [for Project Jewel] and we feel that it will be very apt to engage the community through IMAGINE, and invite them to share their vision for Project Jewel in a fun and creative way. We want to work together with Singaporeans and residents to shape Project Jewel into a world-class lifestyle destination that will add much excitement and create a new chapter in Singapore’s aviation history,” explained Mr Philip Yim, CEO, Jewel Changi Airport Development Pte Ltd.

The ideas generated may also be developed into art exhibits that will be displayed at the airport or produced into memorabilia as souvenirs for overseas visitors.

What’s more, the submissions will also be curated into larger-than-life creative interpretations, and reproduced as art on Project Jewel’s 800-metres of hoarding during its construction.

At the helm of the creative process is eeshuan, a Singaporean artist and illustrator. He has been a strong contributor to the arts scene for the past eight years, responsible for artworks and illustrations for brands such as Adidas, Nike, Discovery Channel, Singapore Fashion Festival, Herman Miller and Lacoste Live!.

IMAGINE is open to residents of Singapore. There are two categories: Junior (5 – 12 years old) and Open (13 years and above). 15 winners will be selected and they stand to win prizes of up to $1,000 in Changi Vouchers.

With a nation behind it, Project Jewel will certainly be the jewel in the crown for Changi Airport, and a glittering example of what a top-notch travel and retail experience should be all about.