It's not uncommon, and actually normal, for the operating entity to lease from the LLC that owns the building.

Since the lease is expiring and I see you are in NYC it will probably be much faster to just not renew the lease.

Esprit: Please tell me I’m right for not wanting to renew the lease.

Quote from @Sumi Devi: One of my clients is buying commercial real estate property with tenants that have 5 year lease.

If I secure renters and show a lease agreement and deposit can I get into lower interest rate mortgage?

sign a master lease with a struggling office landlord, have revenue splits.This seems like your only path forward

Now your cleaner has 200 hours, and you will have to spend at least 201.

Run the numbers as if you leased the property from him at 10% x the value of the home( not including 1,000 acres) in lease payments @60% occupancy.

Quote from @A Rao: I invest in land and have done entitlement/zoning and other DD work successfully for years.A broker called me this morning on a property I have on a busy interesection and has a QSR client who likes the location, but does not want to do a ground lease, only a build to suit. 

If you have to return fees, that is an easy segue: the unit has been leased to an earlier applicant, here is your fee back.