Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost (inclusive of $203,173 and $78,782, respectively, attributable to variable interest entities, or VIEs)	$ 4,572,313	$ 2,516,325
Operating real estate, at cost (inclusive of $38,714 and $0, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	84,594	6,024
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of $23,272 and $18,238, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	(243,639)	(168,958)
Net investments in properties	4,413,268	2,353,391
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of $62,975 and $18,089, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	838,475	363,420
Assets held for sale	0	86,823
Equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	218,103	530,020
Net investments in real estate	5,469,846	3,333,654
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of $2,130 and $37, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	530,276	117,519
Due from affiliates	26,075	32,034
Goodwill	702,791	350,208
In-place lease intangible assets, net (inclusive of $21,915 and $3,385, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	935,008	467,127
Above-market rent intangible assets, net (inclusive of $14,252 and $2,544, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	545,462	241,975
Other assets, net (inclusive of $20,945 and $4,246, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	291,991	136,433
Total assets	8,501,449	4,678,950
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt (inclusive of $131,215 and $29,042, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	2,702,133	1,492,410
Senior unsecured credit facility and unsecured term loan	618,945	575,000
Senior unsecured notes	498,300	0
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net (inclusive of $9,555 and $3,481, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	178,070	128,202
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (inclusive of $6,069 and $2,988, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	294,364	166,385
Deferred income taxes (inclusive of $670 and $0, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	96,372	39,040
Distributions payable	98,996	67,746
Total liabilities	4,487,180	2,468,783
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	6,346	7,436
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
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; 105,058,582 and 69,299,949 shares issued, respectively; and 104,014,166 and 68,266,570 shares outstanding, respectively	105	69
Additional paid-in capital	4,313,896	2,256,503
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(399,116)	(318,577)
Deferred compensation obligation	30,624	11,354
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(21,271)	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	3,863,290	1,904,415
Noncontrolling interests	144,633	298,316
Total equity	4,007,923	2,202,731
Total liabilities and equity	$ 8,501,449	$ 4,678,950