Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost (inclusive of $144,753 and $150,378, respectively, attributable to variable interest entities, or VIEs)	$ 2,396,715	$ 2,402,315
Operating real estate, at cost (inclusive of $0 and $12,557, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	272,859	283,370
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of $9,984 and $8,235, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	(197,695)	(144,405)
Net investments in properties	2,471,879	2,541,280
Real estate under construction (inclusive of $0 and $25,268, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	110,983	127,935
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of $245,815 and $244,084, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	479,425	479,916
Net investments in real estate	3,062,287	3,149,131
Equity investments in real estate (a)	531,000	415,851
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of $27 and $339, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	275,719	418,108	652,330	180,726
In-place lease and tenant relationship intangible assets, net (inclusive of $16,348 and $17,277, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	432,444	466,497
Other intangible assets, net	83,238	92,086
Other assets, net (inclusive of $16,536 and $17,118, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	221,209	170,866
Total assets	4,605,897	4,712,539
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt (inclusive of $193,437 and $199,315, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	1,896,489	1,915,601
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (inclusive of $10,109 and $8,833, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	141,043	132,254
Deferred income taxes (inclusive of $60 and $0, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	12,234	4,582
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net (inclusive of $365 and $387, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	104,722	102,597
Due to affiliates	12,634	20,211
Distributions payable	53,378	51,570
Total liabilities	2,220,500	2,226,815
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
CPA®:17 – Global stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 336,843,388 and 322,918,083 shares issued, respectively; and 328,480,839 and 317,353,899 shares outstanding, respectively	337	323
Additional paid-in-capital	3,033,283	2,904,927
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(567,806)	(431,095)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(81,007)	(13,442)	(41,599)	(38,150)
Less: treasury stock at cost, 8,362,549 and 5,564,184 shares, respectively	(77,852)	(52,477)
Total CPA®:17 – Global stockholders’ equity	2,306,955	2,408,236
Noncontrolling interests	78,442	77,488
Total equity	2,385,397	2,485,724	2,519,628	1,731,324
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,605,897	$ 4,712,539