Equity Investment in Real Estate and the Managed REITs (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 Managed REITs	Dec. 31, 2012 Managed REITs	Dec. 31, 2013 CPA: 16 - Global	Dec. 31, 2012 CPA: 16 - Global	Dec. 31, 2013 CPA:16 - Global operating partnership	Dec. 31, 2012 CPA:16 - Global operating partnership	Dec. 31, 2013 CPA: 17 - Global	Dec. 31, 2012 CPA: 17 - Global	Dec. 31, 2013 CPA:17 - Global operating partnership	Dec. 31, 2012 CPA:17 - Global operating partnership	Dec. 31, 2013 CPA:18 - Global	Dec. 31, 2012 CPA:18 - Global	Dec. 31, 2013 CPA:18 - Global operating partnership	Jul. 03, 2013 CPA:18 - Global operating partnership	Dec. 31, 2013 CWI	Dec. 31, 2012 CWI	Dec. 31, 2013 CWI operating partnership	Dec. 31, 2012 CWI operating partnership
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage					18.533%	18.33%	0.015%	0.015%	1.91%	1.29%	0.009%	0.015%	0.127%	100.00%	0.015%	0.015%	0.538%	0.40%	0.015%	0.015%
Equity investments in real estate	$ 530,020	$ 565,626	$ 344,984	$ 353,145	$ 282,520	$ 296,301	$ 813	$ 17,140	$ 57,753	$ 38,977	$ 0	$ 0	$ 320	$ 0	$ 209	$ 200	$ 3,369	$ 727	$ 0	$ 0