Jewel Changi Airport not a ‘cold, impersonal’ infrastructure, it’s a symbol of bold dreams: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — When Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was mulling over his National Day Rally (NDR) speech back in 2013, there was feedback that talking about plans to replace the open-air car park outside Terminal 1 into a shopping complex named Jewel was not a good idea. 

“We did some message testing, but the focus groups were not enthusiastic. Some thought it was unwise to end the speech with infrastructure projects — too cold, impersonal,” Mr Lee said.  

However, he eventually decided to press on and the plans for Jewel and Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 were unveiled during his rally speech. 

Sharing this anecdote on Friday (Oct 18) at Jewel Changi Airport’s official opening ceremony, Mr Lee said that he wants Singaporeans to understand that Jewel and Changi Airport are not just an “infrastructure story”. 

“Instead they represent an idea; they are a symbol. They epitomise how, in Singapore, we must dream boldly to create new possibilities for ourselves.

“In the end, Jewel was the one thing that people remember from that NDR. And now we have done it,” he added. 

Jewel Changi Airport, the S$1.7 billion retail and leisure complex within the airport grounds, was already opened to much fanfare earlier in April before Friday’s official ceremony. Around that time, 60,000 people turned up for a sneak preview a few days before the opening and long queues were reported at the A&W and Shake Shack food chains and the Pokemon Center store.

Six months on, Mr Lee said that the number of visitors has grown to around 50 million, though he is aware that the queues for A&W and Shake Shack have “shortened a little bit”. 

Jewel said in a media statement released on Friday that on a daily basis, there are about 300,000 visitors.

About 1,500 passengers use the early check-in facilities there daily, with close to 1,100 pieces of baggage being handled at counters. 

A total of 35 airlines, which serve close to 80 per cent of all departing passengers at Changi Airport, offer early check-in at Jewel.

During his speech, Mr Lee thanked the many teams that worked to build and complete Jewel, saying that it was a “huge achievement” to have completed the project on time and within budget. They included architects, landscaping firms, plant experts, technical advisers, sub-contractors and designers of attractions from near and far.

Jewel Changi Airport was designed by Safdie Architects, the firm behind the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the ArtScience Museum. It has been shortlisted for 2019 World Architecture Festival award and the winners will be announced at a festival set to be held in Amsterdam from Dec 4 to 6.

Mr Lee said that the shopping complex has become a recognisable icon of Singapore and has become a tourist attraction in its own right.

“Most importantly, Singaporeans are proud of Jewel, and rightly so. It resonates with Singaporeans, because it reminds us that when we dream big and apply ourselves, nothing is impossible.”

Noting that Jewel has made Changi Airport more competitive, he said he is confident that the airport will break last year’s record of hosting 65 million travellers.

NEW ACTIVITIES, RETAILERS 

In tandem with the opening ceremony, Jewel announced that several new attractions were launched on Friday.

There is a new light-and-sound show at the 40m HSBC Rain Vortex, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world.

The new show is set to the song titled As I Believe, sung and melody composed by singer JJ Lin, lyrics penned by composer Dick Lee and arranged by music director Goh Kheng Long.

There is also a free walking tour of Jewel, which lasts for about 2.5 hours, ending with a free entry to Jewel's Canopy Park, which usually costs S$5.

Since its public opening in April, 14 new stores have opened, including restaurant Burger & Lobster, design retailer Naiise, as well as the second Apple store in Singapore apart from the one on Orchard Road.

Close to 100 per cent of the total floor space for occupancy —about 53,600 sqm — has been leased, Jewel said.