2.4.0.8040180 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Narratives) (Details)truefalsefalse1false USDfalsefalse$FROM_Apr01_2013_TO_Jun30_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2013-04-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PercentStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$FROM_Jan01_2013_TO_Jun30_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PercentStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Property_wpcStandardhttp://www.wpcarey.com/20130630propertywpc0USDUSD$3false falsefalseAS_OF_Dec31_2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378instant2012-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Property_wpcStandardhttp://www.wpcarey.com/20130630propertywpc04false truefalseAS_OF_Jun30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_AffiliatedEntityMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAffiliatedei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AffiliatedEntityMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberPercentStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli05false USDtruefalse$FROM_Jan01_2013_TO_Jun30_2013_dei_LegalEntityAxis_AffiliatedEntityMember_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_MergerRelatedPropertiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseCPA15 Mergerus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_MergerRelatedPropertiesMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAffiliatedei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AffiliatedEntityMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6false USDtruefalse$FROM_Jan01_2013_TO_Jun30_2013_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_DomesticMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseDomesticus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_DomesticMemberus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Property_wpcStandardhttp://www.wpcarey.com/20130630propertywpc0USDUSD$7false USDtruefalse$FROM_Jan01_2012_TO_Jun30_2012_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_DomesticMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseDomesticus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_DomesticMemberus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Property_wpcStandardhttp://www.wpcarey.com/20130630propertywpc0USDUSD$8false USDtruefalse$FROM_Jan01_2012_TO_Dec31_2012_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_DomesticMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDomesticus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_DomesticMemberus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9false USDtruefalse$FROM_Jan01_2013_TO_Jun30_2013_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_DomesticMember_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_MergerRelatedPropertiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseDomesticus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_DomesticMemberus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseCPA15 Mergerus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_MergerRelatedPropertiesMemberus-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Property_wpcStandardhttp://www.wpcarey.com/20130630propertywpc0USDUSD$10false USDtruefalse$FROM_Jan01_2012_TO_Dec31_2012_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_DomesticMember_wpc_DomesticPropertyCountAxis_AdditionalPropertiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDomesticus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_DomesticMemberus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseFive Propertieswpc_DomesticPropertyCountAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_AdditionalPropertiesMemberwpc_DomesticPropertyCountAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11false USDtruefalse$FROM_Jan01_2011_TO_Dec31_2011_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_DomesticMember_wpc_DomesticPropertyCountAxis_AdditionalPropertiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001025378duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseDomesticus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_DomesticMemberus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseFive Propertieswpc_DomesticPropertyCountAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwpc_AdditionalPropertiesMemberwpc_DomesticPropertyCountAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 4us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationAdditionalDisclosuresAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Discontinued Operation Additional Disclosures2false 5wpc_PropertySoldwpc_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse99falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse44falsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse55falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse22falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe amount of properties sold in the repsective periodNo definition available.false256Properties sold3false 5us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipmentus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse1510000015100000USD$falsetruefalse7truefalsefalse2520000025200000USD$falsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash inflow from sale of other property, plant and equipment, used to produce goods or deliver services, and not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Proceeds from the sale of properties4false 5us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertiesus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse11000001100000falsefalsefalse7truefalsefalse-500000-500000falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Gain (loss) on sale of property5false 5us-gaap_ImpairedAssetsToBeDisposedOfByMethodOtherThanSaleAmountOfImpairmentLossus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse200000200000falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse35000003500000falsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse31000003100000falsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse69000006900000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLoss recognized as a result of the initial and subsequent write-down of a long-lived asset's carrying amount to fair value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 27, 26 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Impairment recognized on asset to be disposed6false 5us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfSecuredDebtus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse57000005700000falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe net cash inflow or outflow associated with long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes proceeds from and repayments of tax exempt secured debt.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Payment of mortgage obligation7false 5us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtGainLossNetOfTaxus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse1300013000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8400084000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6truefalsefalse100000100000falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt recognized currently as a component of income in the period of extinguishment, net of tax.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 26 -Paragraph 20 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 40 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12317-112629 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6401765&loc=d3e13305-112630 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 145 -Paragraph A5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Gain on extinguishment of debt8false 5us-gaap_GainLossOnContractTerminationus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse26000002600000falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryGain (loss) related to the termination of a contract between the parties. The termination may be due to many causes including early termination of a lease by a lessee, a breach of contract by one party, or a failure to perform.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 false2Lease termination income9false 5us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOfus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse392000392000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long-lived assets held for abandonment, exchange or sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8077374&loc=d3e2611-110228 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 27, 28, 29, 30 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Impairment Of Long Lived Assets To Be Disposed Of10false 5us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnitus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse729000729000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryWrite-off of the carrying amount of goodwill associated with all or a portion of a reporting unit that is sold in the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 72 -Subparagraph d -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph e -Clause 4 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Allocation of goodwill to properties sold within the reporting unit11false 5wpc_ProposedProceedsFromSaleOfOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipmentwpc_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse1640000016400000USD$falsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse73000007300000USD$falsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe potential cash inflow from sale of other property, plant and equipment, used to produce goods or deliver services, and not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.No definition available.false2Anticipated proceeds from sales of asset12false 5wpc_JointlyOwnedInvestmentsOwnershipPercentagewpc_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truetruefalse0.440.44falsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.440.44falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse4truetruefalse0.560.56falsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureThe ownership percentage allocated diretly to the entity as of the balancesheet date.No definition available.false0Jointly Owned Investments, Ownership PercentagefalseDiscontinued Operations (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.wpcarey.com/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsNarrativesDetails1112