Statement of Financial Position (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments In Real Estate
Real estate, at cost	$ 1,704,649	$ 1,500,151
Operating real estate, at cost	195,424	178,141
Accumulated depreciation	(61,011)	(43,267)
Net Investments In Properties	1,839,062	1,635,025
Real estate under construction	15,076	90,176
Net investments in direct financing leases	472,051	462,505
Equity investments in real estate	187,196	187,067
Net investments in real estate	2,513,385	2,374,773
Notes Receivable	70,000	70,000
Cash and cash equivalents	432,520	180,726
Intangible assets, net	375,933	334,137
Other assets, net	92,178	86,176
Total assets	3,484,016	3,045,812
Liabilities
Non-recourse and limited-recourse debt	1,276,174	1,154,254
Accounts Payable accrued expenses and other liabilities	56,043	48,035
Prepaid and deferred rental income	68,608	56,029
Due to affiliates	21,248	27,747
Distributions payable	38,534	32,288
Total liabilities	1,460,607	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; 248,979,350 and 207,975,777 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	249	208
Additional Paid In Capital	2,230,951	1,863,227
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(205,312)	(157,062)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(50,737)	(32,601)
Less, treasury stock at cost, 2,529,969 and 1,826,959 shares, respectively	(23,768)	(17,104)
Total CPA:17 Global shareholders equity	1,951,383	1,656,668
Noncontrolling interests	72,026	70,791
Total equity	2,023,409	1,727,459
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,484,016	$ 3,045,812