Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Cumulative Distributions in Excess of Earnings	Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss	Total Equity	Noncontrolling Interests Columbia Operating Partnership	Noncontrolling Interests Consolidated Joint Venture
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 2,741,016	$ 1,167	$ 4,421,587	$ (1,684,082)	$ 2,344
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018		116,698,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued to employees and directors, and amortized (net of income tax withholdings)	(858)	$ 2	(860)
Common stock issued to employees and directors, and amortized (net of income tax withholdings), shares		182,000
Distributions to common stockholders	(23,376)			(23,376)
Net income	3,513			3,513
Market value adjustments to interest rate swaps that qualify for hedge accounting treatment	(1,431)				(1,431)
Ending balance, value at Mar. 31, 2019	2,718,864	$ 1,169	4,420,727	(1,703,945)	913
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2019		116,880,000
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 2,628,617	$ 1,153	4,392,322	(1,769,234)	(1,101)	$ 2,623,140		$ 5,477
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019	115,280,597	115,280,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchases of common stock	$ (23,276)	$ (12)	(23,264)			(23,276)
Repurchases of common stock, shares		(1,194,000)
Issuance of noncontrolling interest in Columbia Operating Partnership	55,306						$ 55,306
Common stock issued to employees and directors, and amortized (net of income tax withholdings)	2,458	$ 3	97			100	2,358
Common stock issued to employees and directors, and amortized (net of income tax withholdings), shares		327,000
Distributions to common stockholders	(24,175)			(24,175)		(24,175)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture	16							16
Distributions to consolidated joint venture partner and Operating Partnership Unit holders	(794)						(685)	(109)
Net income	6,228			6,290		6,290	71	(133)
Market value adjustments to interest rate swaps that qualify for hedge accounting treatment	(19,993)				(19,408)	(19,408)	(585)
Ending balance, value at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 2,624,387	$ 1,144	$ 4,369,155	$ (1,787,119)	$ (20,509)	$ 2,562,671	$ 56,465	$ 5,251
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2020	114,413,205	114,413,000