It isn't just companies. For example, one of the most central parts of downtown Seattle is owned by the University of Washington[0], a government institution. S

It isn't just companies. For example, one of the most central parts of downtown Seattle is owned by the University of Washington[0], a government institution. Some of their leases are structured as revenue share on the real estate. This is both an asset they borrow against and a source of income. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Tract_(Seattle) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Tract_(Seattle)