A few years ago, an old retirement home in my neighbourhood was demolished to make way for a larger facility for seniors. However, construction has been delayed, leaving the land to its own devices. Weeds have grown among the rubble, mingling with what remains of the home’s original garden plants. Tall walls shield the area from the busy surrounding streets, but scattered trash hints at its urban setting. Despite this, it still feels like a peaceful spot, now even home to a colony of bees.

The old retirement home was called Arcadia Place, a name that evokes a peaceful, rural setting, which seems fitting for the plot’s current, albeit temporary, state. Eventually, this site will be redeveloped, bringing an end to this unintended sanctuary.