Statement of Financial Position (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments In Real Estate
Real estate, at cost	$ 1,344,596		$ 930,404
Operating real estate, at cost	154,620		12,177
Accumulated depreciation	(34,692)		(16,574)
Net Investments In Properties	1,464,524		926,007
Real estate under construction	64,741		53,041
Net investments in direct financing leases	492,288		397,006
Equity investments in real estate	193,798		50,853
Net Investments In Real Estate	2,215,351		1,426,907
Notes Receivable	70,000		89,560
Cash and cash equivalents	146,782	426,307	162,745
Intangible assets, net	397,835		252,078
Other assets, net	67,022		56,965
Total assets	2,896,990		1,988,255
Liabilities
Non-recourse and limited-recourse debt	1,113,813		667,478
Accounts Payable accrued expenses and other liabilities	38,341		14,719
Prepaid and deferred rental income	44,810		27,020
Due to affiliates	30,538		21,009
Distributions payable	29,918		21,520
Total liabilities	1,257,420		751,746
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0		0
Common stock $0.001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 192,121,020 and 143,231,953 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	192		143
Additional Paid In Capital	1,720,123		1,280,453
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(138,847)		(93,446)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(289)		(14,943)
Less, treasury stock at cost, 1,308,490 and 864,991 shares, respectively	(12,199)		(8,044)
Total CPA:17 Global shareholders equity	1,568,980		1,164,163
Noncontrolling interests	70,590		72,346
Total equity	1,639,570		1,236,509
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,896,990		$ 1,988,255