CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Real estate at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 2,402,315	$ 2,105,772
Operating real estate, at cost	283,370	254,805
Accumulated depreciation attributable to VIEs	144,405	85,002
Real estate under construction attributable to consolidated VIEs	127,935	71,285
Net investments in direct financing leases	479,916	475,872
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to VIEs	418,108	652,330
In-place lease intangible assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	457,244	423,084
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	130,866	124,781
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to VIEs	1,915,601	1,633,452
Accounts payable attributable to consolidated VIEs	86,405	74,384
Prepaid and deferred rental income and security deposits attributable to VIEs	148,446	118,017
CPA:17 Global shareholders equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par or stated value per share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock shares authorized	900,000,000	900,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	322,918,083	310,548,664
Common stock shares outstanding	317,353,899	306,903,020
Treasury Stock Shares	5,564,184	3,645,644
Preferred stock, par or stated value per share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred Stock Shares Issued	0	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 VIEs	8,235	3,801
Real estate under construction attributable to consolidated VIEs	25,268	12,629
Net investments in direct financing leases	244,084	242,175
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to VIEs	339	1,529
In-place lease intangible assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	17,277	6,040
Other assets, net attributable to consolidated VIEs	17,118	14,780
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to VIEs	199,315	123,413
Accounts payable attributable to consolidated VIEs	3,867	2,249
Prepaid and deferred rental income and security deposits attributable to VIEs	$ 5,353	$ 5,710