Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Lease revenues:
Rental income	$ 262,330	$ 104,079	$ 49,618
Interest income from direct financing leases	37,294	15,217	10,278
Total lease revenues	299,624	119,296	59,896
Reimbursed costs from affiliates	73,572	98,245	64,829
Structuring revenue from affiliates	46,589	48,355	46,831
Asset management revenue from affiliates	42,670	56,666	66,808
Other real estate income	16,341	9,885	7,168
Dealer manager fees from affiliates	10,856	19,914	11,664
Incentive, termination and subordinated disposition revenue from affiliates	199	0	52,515
Total revenues	489,851	352,361	309,711
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	121,822	44,427	20,481
General and administrative	84,112	86,916	75,850
Reimbursable costs	73,572	98,245	64,829
Stock-based compensation expenses	37,280	26,241	17,750
Property expenses	20,840	11,534	8,852
Merger and acquisition expenses	9,230	31,639	33
Other real estate expenses	556	489	478
Impairment charges	5,294	0	(1,365)
Total operating expenses	352,706	299,491	186,908
Other Income and Expenses
Net income from equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	52,731	62,392	51,228
Other income and (expenses)	7,997	3,396	4,579
Other interest income	1,092	1,332	1,996
Gain on change in control of interests	0	20,744	27,859
Interest expense	(103,728)	(46,448)	(18,210)
Total other income and expenses	(41,908)	41,416	67,452
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	95,237	94,286	190,255
Provision for income taxes	(1,252)	(6,772)	(37,214)
Income from continuing operations	93,985	87,514	153,041
Discontinued Operations
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate, net of tax	40,043	(5,015)	(3,391)
Income from operations of discontinued properties, net of tax	8,967	3,242	318
Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary, net of tax	0	0	1,008
Impairment charges, net of tax	(8,415)	(22,962)	(11,838)
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax	(2,415)	0	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	38,180	(24,735)	(13,903)
Net Income	132,165	62,779	139,138
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(32,936)	(607)	1,864
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(353)	(40)	(1,923)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	98,876	62,132	139,079
Basic Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.22	$ 1.83	$ 3.78
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 0.21	$ (0.53)	$ (0.34)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.43	$ 1.30	$ 3.44
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.21	$ 1.80	$ 3.76
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 0.20	$ (0.52)	$ (0.34)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.41	$ 1.28	$ 3.42
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic	68,691,046	47,389,460	39,819,475
Diluted	69,708,008	48,078,474	40,098,095
Amounts Attributable to W. P. Carey
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	84,637	87,571	153,011
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	14,239	(25,439)	(13,932)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 98,876	$ 62,132	$ 139,079