[5] Jewel includes gardens, attractions, a hotel, about 300 retail and dining outlets, as well as early baggage check-in aviation facilities.

It covers a total gross floor area of 135,700 m2 (1,461,000 sq ft), spanning 10 storeys – five above-ground and five basement levels.

[9] It was first mentioned by then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech in 2013 as part of Changi Airport's long-term plans to double its capacity by the mid-2020s and "create more opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans".

[14] The project cost S$1.7 billion,[15] and did not involve any government funds or taxpayers' money, despite both entities being either wholly or partially owned by Temasek Holdings, the state-owned investment company.

The Shiseido Forest Valley (資生堂フォレストバレー, Shiseidō Foresutobarē) is one of Asia's largest indoor gardens, spanning five stories and approximately 22,000 square metres (240,000 sq ft) located in the heart of Jewel Changi Airport.

The toroid-shaped roof has more than 9,000 pieces of glass spanning 200 by 150 meters (660 by 490 ft)[25] with a sloped oculus as the mouth of the waterfall acting as "a continuation of the building...completed in a liquid form.

[30] To prevent excess humidity in the Jewel, the waterfall's flow alternates between cascades and trickles that reduce air turbulence.

[31] The Changi Airport Skytrain connecting the terminals passes above ground near the waterfall, allowing passengers remaining airside to see the Vortex and Jewel itself.

[32] At the topmost level of Jewel, the 14,000 square metres (150,000 sq ft) Canopy Park houses recreation and leisure attractions.

At 50 metres (160 ft) long, the Canopy Bridge also has a glass panel flooring at the centre section that offers a view through to level 1 of Jewel.

[42] An "integrated multi-modal transport lounge" provides ticketing, boarding pass collection and baggage transfer service in a single location.

Tenants include the largest Nike store in Southeast Asia,[43] the first and only Apple Store located inside an airport complex and its second store in Singapore,[44] Marks & Spencer, Muji, Zara, Urban Revivo, Uniqlo, Don Don Donki, Weston Corp, Massimo Dutti, Singapore's second basement cinema operated by Shaw Theatres with 11 screens including an IMAX theatre with a seating capacity of 828 and Five Spice, a food court by Food Junction with 19 unique stalls and supermarket chain FairPrice Finest.