Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost (inclusive of $78,782 and $78,745, respectively, attributable to variable interest entities, or VIEs)	$ 2,516,325	$ 2,334,488
Operating real estate, at cost	6,024	99,703
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of $18,238 and $16,110, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	(168,958)	(136,068)
Net investments in properties	2,353,391	2,298,123
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of $18,089 and $23,921, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	363,420	376,005
Assets held for sale	86,823	1,445
Equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	530,020	565,626
Net investments in real estate	3,333,654	3,241,199
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of $37 and $17, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	117,519	123,904
Due from affiliates	32,034	36,002
Goodwill	350,208	329,132
In-place lease intangible assets, net (inclusive of $3,385 and $3,823, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	467,127	447,278
Above-market rent intangible assets, net (inclusive of $2,544 and 2,773, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	241,975	279,885
Other assets, net (inclusive of $4,246 and $4,529, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	136,433	151,642
Total assets	4,678,950	4,609,042
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt (inclusive of $29,042 and $30,326, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	1,492,410	1,715,397
Senior credit facility and unsecured term loan	575,000	253,000
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities (Inclusive of $3,481 and $3,887, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	128,202	106,448
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (inclusive of $2,988 and $3,772, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	161,369	158,684
Income taxes, net	44,056	24,959
Distributions payable	67,746	45,700
Total liabilities	2,468,783	2,304,188
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	7,436	7,531
Redeemable securities - related party	0	40,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized; 69,299,949 and 68,901,933 shares issued, respectively; and 68,266,570 and 68,485,525 shares outstanding, respectively	69	69
Additional paid-in capital	2,256,503	2,175,820
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(318,577)	(172,182)
Deferred compensation obligation	11,354	8,358
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	15,336	(4,649)
Less: treasury stock at cost, 1,033,379 and 416,408 shares, respectively	(60,270)	(20,270)
Total W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity	1,904,415	1,987,146
Noncontrolling interests	298,316	270,177
Total equity	2,202,731	2,257,323
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,678,950	$ 4,609,042