Statement of Financial Position (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments In Real Estate
Real estate, at cost	$ 1,500,151	$ 930,404
Operating real estate, at cost	178,141	12,177
Accumulated depreciation	(43,267)	(16,574)
Net Investments In Properties	1,635,025	926,007
Real estate under construction	90,176	53,041
Net investments in direct financing leases	462,505	397,006
Equity investments in real estate	187,067	50,853
Net Investments In Real Estate	2,374,773	1,426,907
Notes Receivable	70,000	89,560
Cash and cash equivalents	180,726	162,745
Intangible assets, net	334,137	252,078
Other assets, net	86,176	56,965
Total assets	3,045,812	1,988,255
Liabilities
Non-recourse and limited-recourse debt	1,154,254	667,478
Accounts Payable accrued expenses and other liabilities	48,035	14,719
Prepaid and deferred rental income	56,029	27,020
Due to affiliates	27,747	21,009
Distributions payable	32,288	21,520
Total liabilities	1,318,353	751,746
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; 207,975,777 and 143,231,953 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	208	143
Additional Paid In Capital	1,863,227	1,280,453
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(157,062)	(93,446)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(32,601)	(14,943)
Less, treasury stock at cost, 1,826,959 and 864,991 shares, respectively	(17,104)	(8,044)
Total CPA:17 Global shareholders equity	1,656,668	1,164,163
Noncontrolling interests	70,791	72,346
Total equity	1,727,459	1,236,509
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,045,812	$ 1,988,255