Statement of Financial Position (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Real estate at cost inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 2,105,772	$ 1,500,151
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	85,002	43,267
Real estate under construction (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $12,629 and $82,521, respectively)	71,285	90,176
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $242,175 and $240,112, respectively)	475,872	462,505
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $1,529 and $275, respectively)	652,330	180,726
Lease Intangible Assets Net	423,084	267,906
Other assets, net	124,781	86,176
Liabilities:
Non-recourse and limited-recourse debt	1,633,452	1,154,254
Prepaid And Deferred Rental Income And Security Deposits	118,017	56,029
Due to affiliates (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $5,710 and $4,903, respectively)	29,527	27,747
CPA:17 Global shareholders equity [Abstract]
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ (0.001)
Common Stock Shares Authorized	400,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	310,548,664	207,975,777
Treasury Stock Shares	3,645,644	1,826,959
Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock Shares Authorized	50,000,000
Preferred Stock Shares Issued	0
Variable Interest Entity Primary Beneficiary Member
Assets:
Real estate at cost inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs	133,472	137,902
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	3,801	1,617
Real estate under construction (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $12,629 and $82,521, respectively)	12,629	82,521
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $242,175 and $240,112, respectively)	242,175	240,112
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $1,529 and $275, respectively)	1,529	275
Lease Intangible Assets Net	6,040	6,378
Other assets, net	14,780	16,118
Liabilities:
Non-recourse and limited-recourse debt	123,413	120,717
Prepaid And Deferred Rental Income And Security Deposits	2,249	3,228
Due to affiliates (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of $5,710 and $4,903, respectively)	$ 5,710	$ 4,903