Segment Reporting - Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	$ 123,005	$ 107,226
Operating expenses	(59,615)	(56,205)
Interest expense	(23,390)	(24,611)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	6,028	5,712
Provision for income taxes	(621)	(1,903)
Gain on the sale of property	1,739	25,398
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(9,135)	(10,194)
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	38,011	45,423
Operating Segments | Net Lease
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	112,523	93,405
Operating expenses	(41,308)	(36,218)
Interest expense	(20,651)	(22,133)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	3,459	2,756
Provision for income taxes	614	(1,775)
Gain on the sale of property	1,739	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,325)	(3,526)
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	54,051	32,509
Operating Segments | Self-Storage
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	8,742	12,061
Operating expenses	(7,199)	(7,862)
Interest expense	(2,003)	(1,892)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	(2)	(2,932)
Provision for income taxes	(32)	(63)
Gain on the sale of property	0	25,398
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	(494)	24,710
Operating Segments | All Other
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	1,740	1,760
Operating expenses	(38)	(35)
Interest expense	0	(3)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	(2,408)	(95)
Provision for income taxes	(650)	(4)
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global	(1,356)	1,623
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,810)	(6,668)
Unallocated Corporate Overhead	$ (7,380)	$ (6,751)