2.4.0.8040036 - Disclosure - Agreements and Transactions of Related Parties (Details 4)truefalseIn Thousands, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$FROM_Jan01_2013_TO_Jun30_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 2us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForwardus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Redeemable Securities2false 3us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodStartLabel1truefalsefalse4000000040000USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.No definition available.false2Balance - beginning balance3false 3wpc_ReclassfiicationOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestwpc_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedLabel1truefalsefalse-40000000-40000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the amount of redeemable non controlling interest reclassfied during the period.No definition available.false2Redemption of securities4false 3us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodEndLabel1truefalsefalse00USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.No definition available.false2Balance - end of periodfalseAgreements and Transactions of Related Parties (Details 4) (USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.wpcarey.com/role/DisclosureAgreementsAndTransactionsOfRelatedPartiesDetails414