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.

Complementing the Rain Vortex is the Forest Valley, which is poised to become Singapore’s largest air-conditioned garden. In keeping with Singapore’s “green” reputation as a “City in a Garden,” this five-storey indoor garden boasts an estimated 22,000 sq.m. of landscaping, rivalling Singapore’s own Gardens by the Bay. Jewel Changi Airport will house one of the largest indoor collection of plants in Singapore, with more than 2,000 trees and more than 100,000 shrubs that are procured from all over the world.

The expansive greenery is more than just live decor. The planners have carved out two walking trails that takes guests from Level 1 to Level 5, the topmost level, where one can find the Canopy Park.

Here’s what else to expect:

Artist perspective of Canopy Park, located at the topmost level of Jewel. Handout

Artist perspective of Canopy Mazes, Singapore's largest, with 1.8-meter high hedges. Handout

Artist perspective of Sky Nets, where visitors can literally bounce their way to Jewel's highest point. Handout

Artist perspective of Discovery Slides, one of the many play attractions at Jewel. Handout

SHOPPING DESTINATION

Interestingly, tourists to Singapore make up only 40% of the 42 million annual visitors Jewel hopes to attract. The bigger chunk are actually Singapore residents, specifically the 1.5 million who live within a 20-minute drive from the airport, as well as the 50,000 people working in the airport itself.

In 2017, Changi accounted for some S$2.5 billion, or around 10%, of total tourist spending in Singapore, with Singaporeans emerging as the second-biggest spenders at the airport after the Chinese.

“Given the reputation of Changi Airport, Singaporeans actually come to the airport during the weekend just to shop and dine,” Ng noted.

And Jewel has plenty to offer in those departments as well.

Jewel, which is already more than 90% leased to date, will have around 280 shops. including international concepts that are making their debut in Singapore for the first time like Pokemon Center Singapore, the brand’s only permanent retail store outside of Japan offering an array of Pokemon merchandise.

Local brands are also encouraged to develop new concepts and products, like Singapore gallery store Supermama, best known for its exquisite gifts and souvenirs, which will carry a customized range of porcelain designs, inspired by and produced especially for Jewel.

Sporting giant Nike, meanwhile, will open its largest outlet in Southeast Asia here, bringing together a full suite of sports and lifestyle categories and where shoppers can even customize their own Nike tee in-store.

One retail area, dubbed “Duplex Boulevard,” will have two-storey units, which allow shoppers to be “immersed in vibrant brand propositions,” Ng said.

FOOD GALORE

But there is definitely more to Jewel than just shopping. Over 30 percent of Jewel’s tenants are F&B operators. Some of these restaurants come with terraces overlooking the Forest Valley, creating a unique garden dining experience for customers.

Burger chain Shake Shack will open its first restaurant in Singapore in Jewel. Also making their regional debut here are Pink Fish, a fast-casual seafood restaurant; and popular Swiss artisanal chocolatier, Lä derach, which will also introduce gift packaging options unique to Jewel.

Fast-food chain A&W, which is celebrating its centennial in 2019, is poised to make a comeback in Singapore at Jewel, with an exclusive menu that includes best-selling items from around the world, such as A&W Cream Cheese Burger from Japan and Golden Aroma Chicken from Indonesia.

Singapore icon Tiger Beer will unveil a first-in-the-world Tiger Street Lab concept store with exclusive-to-Jewel seasonal brews and a menu that pairs Tiger’s range of beers with Singapore street food, while the grand dame of Singapore cooking Violet Oon will open her largest restaurant to date here.

Jean Hung, CEO of Jewel Changi Airport Development, said Jewel aspires to be a place where “Singapore meets the world, and the world meets Singapore.

“We hope to showcase Singapore to the world, positioning it as the platform where local brands will be exposed to an international audience; while simultaneously bringing new and familiar global brands to Singapore,” Hung said in a statement.