Segment Reporting - Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	$ 109,826	$ 106,513	$ 223,108	$ 229,518
Operating expenses	(72,966)	(55,581)	(140,650)	(115,196)
Interest expense	(20,801)	(21,453)	(41,351)	(44,843)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	12,313	12,190	20,999	18,218
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(1,071)	(1,115)	332	(1,736)
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	0	1,171	24	2,910
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,746)	(10,919)	(16,170)	(20,054)
Net income attributable to CPA:17 – Global	19,555	30,806	46,292	68,817
Operating Segments | Net Lease
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	93,526	94,331	190,518	206,854
Operating expenses	(48,446)	(37,867)	(90,403)	(79,175)
Interest expense	(17,787)	(18,698)	(35,479)	(39,349)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	5,431	1,736	15,941	5,195
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(1,009)	(316)	(1,413)	298
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax	0	1,171	24	2,910
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,571)	(3,948)	(6,686)	(6,273)
Net income attributable to CPA:17 – Global	28,144	36,409	72,502	90,460
Operating Segments | Self Storage
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	9,298	9,031	18,343	17,773
Operating expenses	(5,166)	(6,340)	(10,614)	(13,539)
Interest expense	(2,038)	(1,974)	(3,949)	(3,977)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	0	(258)	0	(260)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(44)	(30)	(92)	(62)
Net income attributable to CPA:17 – Global	2,050	429	3,688	(65)
All Other
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Revenues	7,002	3,151	14,247	4,891
Operating expenses	(6,037)	(8)	(15,557)	(46)
Other income and expenses, excluding interest expense	1,137	187	1,708	(2,221)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	26	(374)	2,104	(1,024)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,010	0	1,871	0
Net income attributable to CPA:17 – Global	3,138	2,956	4,373	1,600
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,185)	(6,971)	(11,355)	(13,781)
Unallocated Corporate Overhead	$ (8,592)	$ (2,017)	$ (22,916)	$ (9,397)