Statement of Financial Position (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments In Real Estate
Real estate, at cost	$ 1,654,959	$ 1,500,151
Operating real estate, at cost	178,307	178,141
Accumulated depreciation	(52,286)	(43,267)
Net Investments In Properties	1,780,980	1,635,025
Real estate under construction	82,525	90,176
Net investments in direct financing leases	474,068	462,505
Equity investments in real estate	187,412	187,067
Net Investments In Real Estate	2,524,985	2,374,773
Notes Receivable	70,000	70,000
Cash and cash equivalents	319,372	180,726
Intangible assets, net	390,247	334,137
Other assets, net	75,938	86,176
Total assets	3,380,542	3,045,812
Liabilities
Non-recourse and limited-recourse debt	1,296,365	1,154,254
Accounts Payable accrued expenses and other liabilities	51,081	48,035
Prepaid and deferred rental income	72,401	56,029
Due to affiliates	27,029	27,747
Distributions payable	35,106	32,288
Total liabilities	1,481,982	1,318,353
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; 227,940,523 and 207,975,777 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	228	208
Additional Paid In Capital	2,042,787	1,863,227
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(181,044)	(157,062)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(18,212)	(32,601)
Less, treasury stock at cost, 1,826,959 and 1,826,959 shares, respectively	(17,104)	(17,104)
Total CPA:17 Global shareholders equity	1,826,655	1,656,668
Noncontrolling interests	71,905	70,791
Total equity	1,898,560	1,727,459
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,380,542	$ 3,045,812