Singapore's newest landmark will have an indoor waterfall, forest

SINGAPORE — Singapore is all set the unveil another landmark, created by the same architect that had forever altered the city-state’s skyline.

Architect Moshe Safdie, who designed Singapore’s towering Marina Bay Sands, an architectural marvel instantly recognizable the world over, was tapped to create Jewel Changi Airport, a mixed-use development that is poised to become another “signature destination” when it opens in the first half of 2019.

“It will be the first face for visitors coming into Singapore as well as the last stop before they return back to their home countries,” Andrew Kurniawan Ng, senior executive for corporate and marketing communications of Jewel Changi Airport Devt Pte Ltd, told visiting Philippine media at a recent briefing.

A joint venture between the Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand Mall Asia, the 10-storey Jewel Changi Airport — five floors are below ground — covers a total of gross floor area of 137,000 sq.m. with areas for retail and recreation, a hotel and facilities for airport operations — all under a distinctive and futuristic dome-shaped facade made of glass and steel.

Jewel is directly linked to the arrival hall of Terminal 1, while passengers using Terminals 2 and 3 (as well as Singaporeans arriving via the MRT) can access it via bridges. It has check-in counters and passenger lounges to “make things much more convenient for travelers.” For instance, those with late departure flights can while away the time at Jewel after they check out from their hotels at noon. 

Jewel will also house the first hotel of London-based Yotel in Asia with 130 rooms, giving travelers more options.

The Skytrain that connects Terminals 2 and 3 will pass through Jewel, giving it a futuristic feel. However, the Skytrain will not stop but hopefully visitors will get a glimpse of what it offers and “plan for a longer period” the next time they go to Singapore.

INDOOR FOREST

And what they will see is definitely going to be eye-popping.

“A lot of people mention that Jewel is a shopping mall. I can tell you that it is not a shopping mall. We call ourselves a multi-dimensional lifestyle destination. The reason being apart from retail offerings, we have some play attractions, we have a hotel, we have recreation facilities, all under one roof. We are really beyond a shopping mall,” Ng said.

Moshe’s vision for Jewel was to create “a place where a vibrant marketplace and an open garden can co-exist side by side,” he added.

“Our offering in Jewel you can’t really find anywhere in the world.”

At the center of the complex is the 40-meter high Rain Vortex, which is touted as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. At night, this sets the stage for an elaborate light and sound show with special effects.

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