work visa for freelancing in the US, but living in the UK

A lease, or even outright ownership, does not prevent them from recovering the cost via a sublet.  That's what real companies have to do in times of contraction.

To the other point:  VSD is a stand-alone cost centre funded entirely by application fees.  It takes in about 300 million pounds annually.  About 40% of that, or approximately 120 million pounds, is generated by Americans.

When their costs go up, application fees go up.  When their costs go down, application fees stay the same.

Moving it about 30 miles north into the valley could probably recover about 80% of the space opportunity cost.  Nicer area too.

And applicants would never know the difference.   

If they let any applicants in the doors any more, they would probably welcome it being anywhere but Wilshire Blvd., what with the traffic and the parking horrors of downtown LA ...