Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows — Operating Activities
Net income	$ 132,165	$ 62,779	$ 139,138
Adjustments to net income:
Depreciation and amortization, including intangible assets and deferred financing costs	140,316	55,114	29,616
(Income) loss from equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs in excess of distributions received	(10,177)	(17,271)	310
Straight-line rent and amortization of rent-related intangibles	21,333	2,831	(3,698)
Amortization of deferred revenue	(9,436)	(9,436)	(6,291)
Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary	0	0	(1,008)
(Gain) loss on sale of real estate	(39,711)	2,773	3,391
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives and others	(7,529)	(1,861)	138
Realized loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt and others	1,375	610	(965)
Management and disposition income received in shares of Managed REITs	(33,572)	(28,477)	(73,936)
Gain on conversion of shares	0	(15)	(3,806)
Gain on change in control of interests	0	(20,794)	(27,859)
Impairment charges	13,709	22,962	10,473
Stock-based compensation expenses	37,195	26,038	17,716
Deferred acquisition revenue received	18,633	21,059	21,546
Increase in structuring revenue receivable	(13,788)	(20,304)	(19,537)
(Increase) decrease in income taxes, net	(21,978)	(6,936)	3,242
Increase in prepaid taxes	(5,967)	(11,341)	(2,998)
Payments for withholding taxes upon delivery of equity-based awards and exercises of stock options	(11,476)	(6,135)	(4,760)
Net changes in other operating assets and liabilities	(3,184)	9,047	(596)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	207,908	80,643	80,116
Cash Flows — Investing Activities
Cash paid to stockholders of CPA®:15 in the CPA®:15 Merger	0	(152,356)	0
Cash acquired in connection with the CPA®:15 Merger	0	178,945	0
Distributions received from equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs in excess of equity income	58,018	46,294	20,807
Capital contributions to equity investments	(1,945)	(726)	(2,297)
Purchase of interests in CPA®:16 – Global	0	0	(121,315)
Purchases of real estate and equity investments in real estate	(265,383)	(3,944)	(24,315)
Value added taxes, or VAT, refunded in connection with acquisition of real estate	0	0	5,035
Capital expenditures	(14,039)	(6,204)	(13,239)
Proceeds from sale of real estate and equity investments	171,300	73,204	12,516
Funding of short-term loans to affiliates	(15,000)	0	(96,000)
Proceeds from repayment of short-term loans to affiliates	15,000	0	96,000
Funds placed in escrow	(224,122)	(46,951)	(6,735)
Funds released from escrow	267,189	37,832	2,584
Other investing activities, net	2,608	372	875
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities	(6,374)	126,466	(126,084)
Cash Flows — Financing Activities
Distributions paid	(220,395)	(113,867)	(85,814)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	65,145	3,291	3,223
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(72,059)	(7,314)	(7,258)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	0	(7,502)
Purchase of treasury stock from related party	(40,000)	(45,270)	0
Scheduled payments of mortgage principal	(391,764)	(54,964)	(25,327)
Proceeds from mortgage financing	115,567	23,750	45,491
Proceeds from senior credit facility and unsecured term loan	735,000	300,000	251,410
Repayments of senior credit facility	(413,000)	(280,160)	(160,000)
Payment of financing costs and mortgage deposits, net of deposits refunded	(2,368)	(2,557)	(7,778)
(Return) receipt of tenant security deposits	(1,843)	1,970	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee purchase under the employee share purchase plan	2,312	51,644	1,488
Windfall tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation awards	12,817	10,185	2,569
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities	(210,588)	(113,292)	10,502
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents During the Year
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,669	790	70
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,385)	94,607	(35,396)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	123,904	29,297	64,693
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 117,519	$ 123,904	$ 29,297