Changi Airport's "Project Jewel" to be developed by CapitaMalls Asia

Changi Airport will build an iconic mixed-use complex with mall developer CapitaMalls Asia.

Changi Airport Group (CAG), which announced the partnership on Monday, said the project codenamed "Project Jewel" will be a world-class, signature lifestyle destination.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed the plans for Project Jewel at the National Day Rally on Sunday evening.

The project will enable Changi Airport to capture the tourism market and boost Singapore's appeal as a stopover point for global travellers.

Envisaged as the "Gardens at the Airport", Project Jewel will offer more than just green spaces.

Robin Goh, AVP of corporate communications and marketing with the Changi Airport Group, said: "The airport experience is obviously a big part of planning when it comes to travellers while making their travel plans and Project Jewel is at the heart of the Terminal 1.

"Of course at Changi Airport will offer a full myriad of offerings, and that includes exciting attractions like a central waterfall, it is going to have great retail and very exciting aviation facilities as well.

"These will obviously increase the tourism mindshare of Changi Airport and of Singapore in attracting even more tourists -- the numbers to Singapore and tourism receipts as well."

Project Jewel will be constructed on the car park site in front of Terminal 1 (T1), and will optimise the use of the 3.5-hectare plot of land. Construction of the new facility will begin next year.

As part of the redevelopment, T1 will also be expanded to allow more space for the arrival hall, baggage claim areas and taxi bays. These enhancements will increase T1's passenger handling capacity to 24 million passenger movements every year, compared to the 18 million it handles currently.

The terminal will also be served by a new multi-storey basement carpark.

Project Jewel is also being designed to be architecturally iconic, with an impressive view of the complex from both the Airport Boulevard and the sky. It will be designed by a consortium of design consultants led by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie, who designed Marina Bay Sands.

A key feature of the complex will be a large-scale, lush indoor garden with a breathtaking waterfall.

To be seamlessly connected to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Project Jewel will serve as a node linking the three terminals, improving inter-terminal connectivity.

There are also plans for the complex to provide a central communal facility for the 32,000-strong airport community.

Project Jewel is one of the major infrastructure projects being undertaken at Changi Airport to build its capacity for growth and augment its position as a leading global air hub.

Another key infrastructure project is Terminal 4, a larger and enhanced terminal which will be built on the old Budget Terminal site.

With a planned capacity of 16 million passenger movements a year, the new terminal is in the final stages of planning, with construction to begin by the end of the year.

When completed, Project Jewel, together with Terminal 4 which will be ready by 2017, will boost Changi Airport's handling capacity to 85 million passenger movements a year, to cater for the airport’s growth into the next decade.

CAG also plans to increase its staff strength by about 180 people over the next four years, to staff the teams working on the two developments as well as other upcoming infrastructure projects.

This year alone, around 80 new employees will be recruited, said CAG.

SOURCE