Consolidated and unconsolidated real estate joint ventures - Consolidated VIE's balance sheet information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Variable Interest Entity
Investments in real estate	$ 23,071,514	$ 18,092,372
Cash and cash equivalents	325,872	568,532
Other assets	1,596,615	1,191,581
Total assets	28,558,718	22,827,878
Secured notes payable	198,758	230,925
Total liabilities	11,586,597	9,384,100
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	11,681	11,342
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s share of equity	14,723,238	11,725,712
Noncontrolling interests’ share of equity	2,237,202	1,706,724
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and equity	28,558,718	22,827,878
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity
Investments in real estate	4,418,245	3,196,215
Cash and cash equivalents	131,321	95,565
Other assets	433,827	341,524
Total assets	4,983,393	3,633,304
Secured notes payable	0	0
Other liabilities	260,901	183,237
Total liabilities	260,901	183,237
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	2,069	1,731
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s share of equity	2,483,248	1,742,039
Noncontrolling interests’ share of equity	2,237,175	1,706,297
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and equity	$ 4,983,393	$ 3,633,304