Jewel Changi Airport
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA nature-themed retail, dining, hospitality, and entertainment complex connected to Singapore Changi Airport.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Jewel Changi Airport is a large mixed-use development connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 of Singapore Changi Airport. Rather than functioning solely as an airport shopping area, Jewel combines retail, dining, gardens, attractions, hotel accommodation, transport services, and aviation-related facilities in a single nature-focused destination. Its defining architectural feature is the Rain Vortex, a 40-metre indoor waterfall positioned beneath a toroidal glass-and-steel roof. The waterfall is surrounded by Forest Valley, a multilevel indoor garden designed to bring a tropical forest experience into the airport environment. The project was conceived as part of Changi Airport's longer-term strategy to strengthen its position as an Asia-Pacific aviation hub and to create a destination capable of attracting both passengers and local residents. The concept was publicly associated with Singapore's long-range airport development plans in 2013. Jewel was built over the former open-air car park in front of Terminal 1, expanding Terminal 1's arrival and baggage-reclaim areas and increasing the terminal's planned annual handling capacity from approximately 21 million to 24 million passengers. The complex has approximately 135,700 square metres of total floor area across ten levels, including five above-ground and five basement floors. Its facilities include approximately 300 retail and dining outlets, a hotel operated by YOTEL, early baggage check-in services, an integrated transport lounge, a cinema, a supermarket, and a broad mixture of international and Singaporean brands. Retail tenants and attractions have included Apple, Pokémon Center, MUJI, Zara, UNIQLO, Don Don Donki, Nike, adidas, FairPrice Finest, Shaw Theatres, A&W, Shake Shack, JUMBO Seafood, Ya Kun Kaya Toast, and other local and international operators. Jewel's principal visitor attractions are Forest Valley, Canopy Park, and the Rain Vortex. Forest Valley occupies roughly 22,000 square metres and contains thousands of trees and shrubs representing species associated with high-altitude tropical environments. Canopy Park, located on the uppermost level, contains landscaped areas, seasonal floral displays, topiary, mazes, suspension and netted walkways, slides, and fog-filled play installations. The Changi Experience Studio provides interactive exhibits about the airport's history and operations. The development was designed by an international team led by architect Moshe Safdie, with RSP Architects Planners & Engineers as executive architects and structural engineers. PWP Landscape Architecture worked on the landscape design, while Benoy, BuroHappold Engineering, Lighting Planners Associates, and WET Design contributed interior, façade, lighting, and water-feature expertise. The Rain Vortex incorporates a recirculating water system and changing flow patterns intended to manage humidity and air turbulence inside the building. Jewel began a soft opening in April 2019 and was officially opened on 18 October 2019. It attracted approximately 50 million visitors within its first six months, exceeding the original first-year expectation of roughly 40 to 50 million visitors. The complex reported more than 80 million visitors in 2024, its highest annual footfall since opening. Its positioning blends airport infrastructure with destination retail, urban nature, tourism, and entertainment, making Jewel both a gateway amenity for passengers and a standalone leisure destination in Singapore.
History
Jewel emerged from Singapore's effort to maintain and extend Changi Airport's role as a leading international aviation hub. The concept was publicly referenced in 2013, when Singapore's long-term airport plans included expanding capacity and creating additional economic and social opportunities around the airport. The proposed development was intended to make the airport more than a place of transit by adding a destination capable of serving passengers, airport workers, tourists, and Singapore residents. The project was developed by Jewel Changi Airport Trustee Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand Mall Asia. It was built over the former open-air car park in front of Terminal 1. The location allowed the project to expand Terminal 1's arrival hall and baggage-reclaim areas while creating a direct link to the airport's terminal network. The development was privately financed and was reported to have a construction cost of S$1.7 billion. Architect Moshe Safdie led the design team. The resulting building uses a toroidal glass-and-steel form that encloses a landscaped interior and allows daylight to reach the central gardens. RSP Architects Planners & Engineers served as executive architects and structural engineers. PWP Landscape Architecture designed the major planting environments, while Benoy, BuroHappold Engineering, Lighting Planners Associates, and WET Design worked on interiors, façade engineering, lighting, and the waterfall system. The design objective was to combine a conventional marketplace with the qualities of an urban park, using nature, recreation, culture, and commerce to create a distinctive airport experience. Jewel's centrepiece, the Rain Vortex, is a 40-metre indoor waterfall and is described as the world's tallest indoor waterfall. Rainwater is collected and recirculated through the building, falling through an opening in the roof into a basement-level pool. The waterfall is also used as a projection surface for nighttime light and sound presentations. Its flow can alternate between a stronger cascade and a gentler trickle, helping manage humidity and turbulence within the enclosed space. Forest Valley forms the central landscape around the waterfall. It extends across five storeys and contains approximately 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs from around 120 species. Canopy Park occupies the uppermost level and adds gardens, topiary, floral installations, mazes, slides, suspension bridges, and elevated nets. Other facilities include the Changi Experience Studio, a YOTEL-operated hotel, a cinema, retail and dining floors, a transport lounge, and early check-in services. The complex began its soft opening in April 2019 and received its official opening ceremony on 18 October 2019. Its visitor numbers quickly surpassed expectations: it welcomed approximately 50 million visitors during its first six months, reaching the original anticipated first-year range ahead of schedule. After the disruption to international travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jewel continued to operate as a Singapore leisure and shopping destination as well as an airport amenity. In 2024, it recorded more than 80 million visitors, its strongest annual footfall since opening. Jewel has also developed a cultural and promotional profile beyond its commercial functions. Its architecture and attractions have received design and retail recognition, and the complex has appeared in music videos and screen productions. Its presence in popular culture, together with the Rain Vortex's visual prominence, has made it one of Singapore's most recognizable contemporary visitor attractions.
- 2025
Travellers' Choice recognition
[1]Jewel received Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Award and was listed among the top-rated attractions worldwide by traveller reviews.
- 2024
Record annual footfall
[1]Jewel recorded more than 80 million visitors during the year, its highest annual total since opening.
- 2019
Soft opening and hotel launch
[1]Jewel began welcoming visitors in April, and the YOTEL facility within the complex opened on 12 April.
- 2019
Official opening
[1]Jewel was officially opened on 18 October, six months after its soft opening.
- 2019
First 50 million visitors
[1]The complex reached approximately 50 million visitors within its first six months, surpassing its initial full-year visitor target.
- 2019
MAPIC Special Jury Award
[1]Jewel received the Special Jury Award at the 2019 MAPIC Awards.
- 2016
International Architecture Award
[1]The project received the International Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum during its development.
- 2013
Project concept enters Singapore's long-term airport plans
[1]The Jewel concept was publicly associated with plans to expand Changi Airport's capacity and create additional opportunities around the airport.
Products and positioning
A premium destination combining airport convenience, nature, architecture, shopping, dining, and family entertainment.
Architecture and attraction · 2019
Rain Vortex
The Rain Vortex is Jewel's signature 40-metre indoor waterfall. Water is pumped to the roof and recirculated through a central opening into a pool below. The feature is visible from multiple levels and from the airport's Skytrain, while its surrounding circular walls serve as a surface for nighttime light and sound presentations.
Indoor garden · 2019
Forest Valley
Forest Valley is a five-storey indoor garden surrounding the Rain Vortex. It covers approximately 22,000 square metres and contains roughly 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs representing around 120 species associated with high-altitude tropical forests. Walking paths and viewing areas connect the garden to Jewel's retail and attraction levels.
Leisure attraction · 2019
Canopy Park
Canopy Park is a 14,000-square-metre attraction on Jewel's top level. It combines landscaped spaces such as Topiary Walk and Petal Garden with a canopy bridge, Hedge Maze, Mirror Maze, Bouncing Net, Walking Net, Discovery Slides, and Foggy Bowls. The attractions provide elevated views of the Rain Vortex and Forest Valley.
Interactive educational attraction · 2019
Changi Experience Studio
The Changi Experience Studio is an interactive visitor centre focused on the history and operation of Changi Airport. Its approximately 3,000-square-metre space uses games, displays, and multimedia installations to explain airport activities and provide a behind-the-scenes perspective.
Retail and dining · 2019
Jewel retail and dining precinct
The complex contains approximately 300 retail and dining outlets, mixing international brands with Singaporean companies. Its tenant mix spans fashion, beauty, sportswear, electronics, food and beverage, groceries, entertainment, and specialty attractions. Examples have included Apple, Pokémon Center, MUJI, Zara, UNIQLO, Nike, adidas, FairPrice Finest, Shake Shack, JUMBO Seafood, and Ya Kun Kaya Toast.
Hotel · 2019
YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport
The hotel facility operated by YOTEL provides short-stay accommodation within Jewel for passengers and other visitors. It opened in April 2019 and has approximately 130 rooms.
Aviation services · 2019
Airport service facilities
Jewel includes an integrated transport lounge offering selected ticketing, boarding-pass collection, and baggage-transfer services. Early check-in facilities allow eligible passengers to deposit luggage in advance of regular airport check-in, adding an aviation-services function to the retail and leisure complex.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Record-footfall destination promotion
Singapore · International visitors
Jewel's visitor and retail positioning continued to emphasize its combination of airport access, indoor nature, attractions, shopping, and dining. The complex reported more than 80 million visitors during 2024, its highest annual footfall since opening.
Outcome. Record annual visitation was reported.
Brand decisions
2019
Launch of Jewel Changi AirportProduct launchBackground
The project was designed to connect airport infrastructure with a public-facing retail and leisure destination.
Action taken
Jewel began soft operations in April and held its official opening on 18 October.
Aftermath
Visitor demand exceeded the initial first-year target, with approximately 50 million visitors recorded within six months.
Reported project cost. S$1.7 billion (Project development)
2013
Develop a destination within the airport ecosystemStrategyBackground
Changi Airport's long-term plans sought to preserve its status as a major regional hub while increasing capacity and creating new opportunities connected to the airport.
Action taken
The development partners pursued a mixed-use complex combining retail, hospitality, entertainment, gardens, and passenger services beside Terminal 1.
Aftermath
The resulting project became Jewel Changi Airport, a major visitor attraction as well as an airport-linked commercial facility.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Jewel Changi Airport offers tenants rental rebate[3]
Jewel Changi Airport reportedly offered its tenants a 50% rental rebate for February and March.
Reported
Jewel Changi Airport receives MAPIC Special Jury Award[4]
Jewel Changi Airport received the Special Jury Award at the MAPIC Awards in Cannes, France.
Sources4 sources
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