Statement of Financial Position (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost	$ 1,871,917	$ 1,500,151
Operating real estate, at cost	203,138	178,141
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(72,339)	(43,267)
Net investments in properties	2,002,716	1,635,025
Real estate under construction	9,863	90,176
Net investments in direct financing leases	474,277	462,505
Equity investments in real estate	184,848	187,067
Net investments in real estate	2,671,704	2,374,773
Notes receivable	70,000	70,000
Cash and cash equivalents	490,675	180,726
Intangible assets, net	411,805	334,137
Other assets, net	107,037	86,176
Assets	3,751,221	3,045,812
Liabilities:
Non-recourse and limited-recourse debt	1,357,730	1,154,254
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	76,208	48,035
Prepaid and deferred rental income	76,957	56,029
Due to affiliates	21,755	27,747
Distributions payable	41,712	32,288
Liabilities	1,574,362	1,318,353
CPA:17 Global shareholders' equity:
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; 248,979,350 and 207,975,777 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	269	208
Additional paid-in-capital	2,412,095	1,863,227
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(234,737)	(157,062)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(44,341)	(32,601)
Less, treasury stock at cost, 3,121,640 and 1,826,959 shares, respectively	(29,301)	(17,104)
Total CPA:17 Global shareholders equity	2,103,985	1,656,668
Noncontrolling interests	72,874	70,791
Total equity	2,176,859	1,727,459
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,751,221	$ 3,045,812