Statement of Financial Position (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Real estate at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 2,293,833	$ 2,105,772
Operating real estate, at cost	280,429	254,805
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	127,978	85,002
Real estate under construction attributable to consoldiated VIEs	98,357	71,285
Net investments in direct financing leases	478,346	475,872
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	441,802	652,330
In-place lease intangible assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	436,417	423,084
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	148,488	124,781
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	1,795,336	1,633,452
Accounts payable attributable to consolidated VIEs	81,084	74,384
Prepaid and deferred rental income and security deposits attributable to VIEs	121,963	118,017
CPA:17 Global shareholders equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par or stated value per share	$ 0.001
Common stock shares authorized	900,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	319,718,689	310,548,664
Common stock shares outstanding	314,648,689	306,903,020
Treasury Stock Shares	5,070,000	3,645,644
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 attributable to consolidated VIEs	150,378	133,472
Operating real estate, at cost	12,557	0
Accumulated depreciation attributable to consolidated VIEs	7,260	3,801
Real estate under construction attributable to consoldiated VIEs	17,224	12,629
Net investments in direct financing leases	243,611	242,175
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	538	1,529
In-place lease intangible assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	17,512	6,040
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	17,241	14,780
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	200,585	123,413
Accounts payable attributable to consolidated VIEs	3,208	2,249
Prepaid and deferred rental income and security deposits attributable to VIEs	$ 5,935	$ 5,710