Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Rental properties, net of accumulated depreciation of $711,384 and $635,535 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	$ 4,535,994	$ 3,595,762
Land held for development	33,674	22,530
Property under development	284,211	297,110
Mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable	972,371	613,978
Investment in a direct financing lease, net	57,698	102,698
Investment in joint ventures	5,616	5,972
Cash and cash equivalents	11,412	19,335
Restricted cash	24,323	9,744
Accounts receivable, net	99,213	98,939
Other assets	108,498	98,954
Total assets	6,133,010	4,865,022
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	140,582	119,758
Common dividends payable	25,046	20,367
Preferred dividends payable	5,951	5,951
Unearned rents and interest	85,198	47,420
Debt	2,987,925	2,485,625
Total liabilities	3,244,702	2,679,121
Equity:
Common Shares, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; and 76,397,669 and 66,263,487 shares issued at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	764	663
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Additional paid-in-capital	3,420,867	2,677,046
Treasury shares at cost: 2,732,736 and 2,616,406 common shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	(121,539)	(113,172)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,919	7,734
Distributions in excess of net income	(422,841)	(386,509)
Total equity	2,888,308	2,185,901
Total liabilities and equity	6,133,010	4,865,022
Series C Preferred Shares [Member]
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred shares	54	54
Series E Preferred Shares [Member]
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred shares	34	35
Series F Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred shares	$ 50	$ 50