<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>215</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>280</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>59</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>14</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/BalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0015 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/BalanceSheetParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/StatementOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/StatementOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/StatementOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0050 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/CashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1010 - Disclosure - Formation and Organization</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFormationAndOrganization</Role>
      <ShortName>Formation and Organization</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1020 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1030 - Disclosure - Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFairValue</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1040 - Disclosure - Real Estate Debt Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateDebtInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Debt Investments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1050 - Disclosure - Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAndAdvancesToUnconsolidatedVentures</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1060 - Disclosure - Real Estate Securities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateSecurities</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Securities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1070 - Disclosure - Borrowings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureBorrowings</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1080 - Disclosure - Related Party Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Arrangements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1090 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1100 - Disclosure - Equity-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureEquityBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity-Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1110 - Disclosure - Non-controlling Interests</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureNoncontrollingInterests</Role>
      <ShortName>Non-controlling Interests</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1120 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1130 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2020 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3030 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3040 - Disclosure - Real Estate Debt Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateDebtInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Debt Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3060 - Disclosure - Real Estate Securities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateSecuritiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Securities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3070 - Disclosure - Borrowings (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureBorrowingsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3080 - Disclosure - Related Party Arrangements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyArrangementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Arrangements (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3090 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>3120 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4010 - Disclosure - Formation and Organization (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFormationAndOrganizationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Formation and Organization (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4011 - Disclosure - Formation and Organization (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFormationAndOrganizationDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Formation and Organization (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4020 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4021 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4030 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4031 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4032 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Details 3)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4040 - Disclosure - Real Estate Debt Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateDebtInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Debt Investments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4041 - Disclosure - Real Estate Debt Investments (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateDebtInvestmentsDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Debt Investments (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4050 - Disclosure - Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInAndAdvancesToUnconsolidatedVenturesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4060 - Disclosure - Real Estate Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Real Estate Securities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4070 - Disclosure - Borrowings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureBorrowingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Borrowings (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4080 - Disclosure - Related Party Arrangements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyArrangementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Arrangements (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4090 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4091 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Details 2)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4100 - Disclosure - Equity-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureEquityBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4120 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>4130 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.northstarreit.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element nsre_RelatedPartyTransactionReimbursableOrganizationAndOfferingCostsExcludingSellingCommissionAndDealerManagerFee had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LoansReceivableBasisSpreadOnVariableRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4032 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Details 3)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4040 - Disclosure - Real Estate Debt Investments (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4050 - Disclosure - Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Ventures (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4060 - Disclosure - Real Estate Securities (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4070 - Disclosure - Borrowings (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4080 - Disclosure - Related Party Arrangements (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4090 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4100 - Disclosure - Equity-Based Compensation (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '4130 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '4130 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0015 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 0050 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>nsre-20130331.xml</File>
    <File>nsre-20130331.xsd</File>
    <File>nsre-20130331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>nsre-20130331_def.xml</File>
    <File>nsre-20130331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>nsre-20130331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
