Reconciliation of net income to taxable income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Net income	$ 654,282	$ 827,171	$ 404,047
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ (83,035)	(56,212)	(40,882)
Rental revenue recognition		(165,091)	(132,979)
Depreciation and amortization		220,046	177,627
Share-based compensation		30,695	30,756
Interest expense		(21,174)	(13,687)
Sales of property		(69,048)	66,717
Impairments		40,398	12,334
Non-real estate investment income		(377,820)	(96,353)
Other		22,315	7,565
Taxable income before dividend deduction		451,280	415,145
Dividend deduction necessary to eliminate taxable income		(451,280)	(415,145)
Estimated income subject to federal income tax		0	0
Common stock and preferred stock distributions paid		$ 533,000	$ 451,200