Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Real estate revenues:
Lease revenues	$ 123,213	$ 72,460
Reimbursable tenant costs	6,030	3,117
Operating property revenues	4,993	227
Other	1,000	679
Total real estate revenue	135,236	76,483
Revenues from affiliates:
Reimbursable costs	39,732	11,968
Structuring revenue	17,750	6,342
Asset management revenue	9,777	10,015
Dealer manager fees	6,676	1,223
Revenue from affiliates	73,935	29,548
Total revenues	209,171	106,031
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization	52,782	29,376
Reimbursable tenant and affiliate costs	45,762	15,085
Merger and acquisition expenses	29,613	121
General and administrative	28,111	19,698
Property expenses, excluding reimbursable tenant costs	8,429	1,765
Stock-based compensation expenses	7,045	9,149
Total operating expenses	171,742	75,194
Other Income and Expenses
Gain on change in control of interests	103,574	0
Net income from equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	14,262	10,656
Interest expense	(39,075)	(25,584)
Other income and (expenses)	(5,372)	1,399
Total other income and expenses	73,389	(13,529)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	110,818	17,308
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(2,221)	1,208
Income from continuing operations	108,597	18,516
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	6,135	(2,677)
Net Income	114,732	15,839
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,578)	(1,708)
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	(262)	50
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	112,892	14,181
Basic Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 0.25
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to W. P. Carey (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.05)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey (in dollars per share)	$ 1.26	$ 0.20
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 0.24
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to W. P. Carey (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.04)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 0.20
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	89,366,055	68,967,209
Diluted (in shares)	90,375,311	69,975,293
Amounts Attributable to W. P. Carey
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	106,609	17,135
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	6,283	(2,954)
Net Income Attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 112,892	$ 14,181
Distributions Declared Per Share	$ 0.895	$ 0.82