That's how Microsoft manages its campus real estate. :-)

Nearly every company does that. It's amazing how little many companies actually own. I've worked in offices where everything from building over furniture to even the plants was leased. The company ran with close to zero assets (services business). Pretty sure that this wouldn't make any sense if it wasn't for tax purposes.

and that someone can be their own subsidiary in a jurisdiction with dif. tax treatment

Can be within the same taxing authority. I've facilitated facility transfers and leaseback agreements in the US.

Edit: Yes, you can't seize what isn't owned.

You also can't silently seize what is owned. Which is, generally speaking, the bigger issue.

I would also guess you could also shield assets this way from lawsuits etc