This $1.7 billion airport renovation will blow your mind

THE best airport in the world is about to get a whole lot better — and has cost a staggering $1.7 billion in the process.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is set to open their new hub known as Jewel later this year, but have released a snapshot of what travellers can expect of the new premises.

Opening on April 17, the ten-storey complex will span over 137,000 square metres, directly connecting to terminals 1, 2 and 3 at Changi Airport.

Four storeys will be the Forest Valley, featuring thousands of plants and trees as part of the indoor rainforest.

A groundbreaking new feature that takes centre stage is the 40-metre high Rain Vortex, which will be the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

Up to 10,000 gallons a minute will be recycled through the building, and at night the water feature will transform into a light and sound show.

The new Jewel hub will open later this year on April 17. Source:Supplied

Changi airport is popular for Australian travellers. Source:Supplied

The new lifestyle hub within the world’s best airport and a popular stop-off for Australian travellers will have 280 retail outlets, including a Pokemon Centre, adding to the 350 shops already operating in the airport terminals.

Passengers can sleep at the new 130-room hotel, YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport, which will also be part of Jewel.

They will be able to enjoy early check in for their flight when staying at the new hotel and store their baggage so they can explore its facility.

On the very top layer over the rainforest will be the glass-floored Canopy Bridge — a 14,000 square foot walk way suspended 82 feet above the ground.

The new Jewel hub will have the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. Source:Supplied

A maze will occupy part of the gardens within the development. Source:Supplied

There will also be a Canopy Maze, featuring Singapore’s largest hedge maze.

Other attractions include Discovery Slides, for adults and children to enjoy; Foggy Bowls, where children can play in clouds of smoke; and Sky Nets, which allow you to bounce along the treetops.

The new development plans have been designed by architect Moshe Safdie, who also designed the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and new Chinese ‘horizontal skyscraper’.

Anyone who wants to see the new Jewel development before it opens can register for preview tickets on March 12, with 500,000 tickets available between April 11 and April 16, according to Business Insider.

There will be a 14,000 square foot walk on the top canopy. Source:Supplied

The new Jewel hub will open later this year and cost more than 1.7 billion to create. Source:Supplied

Changi Airport opened its fourth terminal in 2017, which featured technology including facial scanning, computerised baggage drop points, LED walls, and drone play areas.

Last year, the airport teamed up with Warner Bros to transform the airport terminals into real-life locations of the Harry Potter franchise.

Hogsmeade Village, Hogwarts and Diagon Alley were just some of the attractions passengers could experience for themselves as a wizard

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission.

Source: Kara Godfrey | news.com.au