The owner of a prominent North Side office building in San Antonio has firmly denied recent reports suggesting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to lease space at the property. An executive with the ownership group stated that no such agreement is in place, directly contradicting information that has circulated in recent days.
The statements come after a technology magazine published a report last week indicating ICE was considering a move into the Landmark One building, located at 15727 Anthem Parkway. This speculation was based on federal documents related to a broader expansion of the agency's physical presence across the country.
Key Takeaways
- The owner of the Landmark One building in San Antonio has denied any lease agreement with ICE.
- Reports originated from a magazine article citing federal documents about potential ICE expansion.
- The General Services Administration (GSA) did tour the building months ago, but no negotiations followed.
- The denial follows ICE's recent confirmed acquisition of a different facility on San Antonio's East Side.
Direct Denial from Property Owner
An executive from Tourmaline Capital Partners, the company that owns the Landmark One building, issued a clear statement to address the rumors. The company has no active or pending lease with the federal agency.
"The reporting is not correct. ICE is not, and will not be, leasing space at Landmark One building at 15727 Anthem Parkway," the executive, who requested anonymity, confirmed in a written statement.
The executive emphasized that the rumor's origin is unknown to the company but wanted to set the record straight. "I have no idea how that rumor started, but I can assure you it is not correct," the statement continued.
This direct refutation aims to end the speculation that has been picked up by various outlets following the initial report.
Federal Agency Tour Confirmed
While denying a lease, the executive did confirm that a federal entity had previously shown interest in the property. In follow-up interviews, it was revealed that the General Services Administration (GSA) had toured the building.
The GSA is the federal agency responsible for managing government buildings and procuring real estate for other departments. The tour took place approximately three to six months ago. However, the executive noted that it is common for the GSA not to disclose the specific agency they are representing during initial site visits.
Property in Question
Location: Landmark One Building
Address: 15727 Anthem Parkway, San Antonio, TX
Area: Near Interstate 10 and Loop 1604
Crucially, the tour did not lead to any further action. "We are not in discussions with them to lease space in our building," the executive clarified, adding that there have been no lease negotiations or communications about a potential agreement since the visit.
Broader Context of ICE Operations in Texas
The speculation about the North Side location arose amid confirmed ICE activity elsewhere in the state. Just two weeks ago, ICE acknowledged its acquisition of a facility on San Antonio's East Side, located at Oakmont 410. The agency stated this location would be a structured detention facility.
This confirmed expansion has heightened public awareness and scrutiny of the agency's real estate activities in the region. The recent reports about the Anthem Parkway building were viewed by many in this context.
A Similar Denial in North Texas
This is not the only instance of a property owner refuting reports of a deal with ICE. In late January, it was reported that ICE had purchased a large facility in Hutchins, Texas, south of Dallas. The building's owner, Majestic Realty, later issued a strong denial.
"Majestic Realty Co. has not and will not enter into any agreement for the purchase or lease of any building to the Department of Homeland Security for use as a detention facility," the company stated.
This pattern of reports followed by denials from property owners suggests that while federal agencies may be exploring numerous locations for expansion, many of these considerations do not result in finalized deals.
Uncertainty Remains for Future Plans
Despite the firm denial regarding a current lease, the Tourmaline Capital Partners executive could not rule out the possibility of future interest from the federal government. "I have no idea what they are considering, I just want to be clear," they stated, reiterating that no discussions are currently underway.
For now, the ownership of 15727 Anthem Parkway has made its position clear: ICE is not a tenant. The real estate firm managing the building's leasing, CBRE, has also been contacted for comment.
As federal agencies continue to evaluate their operational needs, property owners and local communities remain watchful of potential new facilities. However, in the case of Landmark One, the reports have proven to be premature and incorrect, according to the one party essential to any deal—the building's owner.