Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost (inclusive of $243,429 and $78,782, respectively, attributable to variable interest entities, or VIEs)	$ 4,487,928	$ 2,516,325
Operating real estate, at cost (inclusive of $38,714 and 0, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	84,494	6,024
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of $19,727 and $18,238, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	(193,370)	(168,958)
Net investments in properties	4,379,052	2,353,391
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of $65,560 and $18,089, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	898,335	363,420
Assets held for sale	95,209	86,823
Equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	186,965	530,020
Net investments in real estate	5,559,561	3,333,654
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of $2,003 and $37, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	198,947	117,519
Due from affiliates	32,497	32,034
Goodwill	700,024	350,208
In-place lease intangible assets, net (inclusive of $36,012 and $3,385, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	997,520	467,127
Above-market rent intangible assets, net (inclusive of $15,224 and $2,544, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	595,430	241,975
Other assets, net (inclusive of $21,568 and $4,246, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	255,489	136,433
Total assets	8,339,468	4,678,950
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt (inclusive of $152,223 and $29,042, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	2,961,999	1,492,410
Senior credit facility and unsecured term loan	366,278	575,000
Senior unsecured notes	498,210	0
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net (inclusive of $11,665 and $3,481, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	182,741	128,202
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (inclusive of $8,234 and $2,988, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	291,038	166,385
Deferred income taxes (inclusive of $854 and 0, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	89,250	39,040
Distributions payable	90,079	67,746
Total liabilities	4,479,595	2,468,783
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	7,303	7,436
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; 100,392,711 and 69,299,949 shares issued, respectively; and 99,348,295 and 68,266,570 shares outstanding, respectively	100	69
Additional paid-in capital	4,016,019	2,256,503
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(302,799)	(318,577)
Deferred compensation obligation	29,342	11,354
Accumulated other comprehensive income	17,443	15,336
Less: treasury stock at cost, 1,044,416 and 1,033,379 shares, respectively	(60,948)	(60,270)
Total W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity	3,699,157	1,904,415
Noncontrolling interests	153,413	298,316
Total equity	3,852,570	2,202,731
Total liabilities and equity	$ 8,339,468	$ 4,678,950