Jim Pattison, owner of Jim Pattison Developments, has announced that he will not be selling a warehouse to a U.S. government agency. (Image Credit: The Canadian Press)

By paNOW

Jim Pattison Developments not proceeding with sale of industrial building in Virginia

Jan 30, 2026 | 12:00 PM

Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Developments will not be selling a Virginia warehouse property to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which had said it wanted the site as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility. 

Earlier in the week, the property arm of Jim Pattison Group said it had accepted an offer to sell an industrial building it no longer needed in Ashland, Virginia, to a U.S. government contractor. 

“Some time later, we became aware of the ultimate owner and intended use of the building,” the company said. 

On Friday, they announced that the transaction to sell the building would not proceed because certain terms were not met. 

“And, as a result, we ceased negotiations and made the decision not to proceed,” read a statement. 

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The company said it was not in a position to share additional details regarding the specific circumstances, but said the property remains part of its portfolio and they will continue to evaluate options for its use, lease or disposition. 

The potential transaction stirred up controversy. Earlier in the week. B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan called for a boycott of Jim Pattison-owned businesses and media outlets, while B.C.’s attorney general Niki Sharma warned business leaders to consider what connections they might have to what’s happening with ICE.

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