Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate Properties
Build-to-suit construction costs incurred but unpaid (Note 5)	$ 5,614	$ 0	$ 0
Reclassification from permanent equity to temporary equity	0	85,000
Distributions payable	67,746	45,700	22,314
Fair value of special member interest in CPA®:16 – Global’s operating partnership (Note 4)	0	0	28,308
Non-recourse mortgages assumed on acquisition (Note 4)	0	0	87,590
Intangible
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from real estate	(24,423)	(852)	0
Real Estate
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from real estate	13,952	0	17,651
Finance Leases
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from real estate	(13,952)	0	(17,651)
Assets held-for-sale
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from real estate	91,747	14,868	0
Additional Paid-in Capital
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from permanent equity to temporary equity	(40,000)	40,000	0
Equity Securities
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from permanent equity to temporary equity	40,000	(40,000)	0
Real Estate
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from real estate	(63,697)	(14,016)	0
Operating real estate
Real Estate Properties
Reclassification from real estate	$ (3,627)	$ 0	$ 0

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable for the acquisition of merchandise, materials, supplies and services pertaining to construction projects such as a housing development or factory expansion not classified as trade payables.

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