CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$ 12,667	$ 2,564
Interest expense	2,538	250
Net interest income	10,129	2,314
Expenses
Advisory fees-related party	3,423	307
Transaction costs	307
General and administrative expenses	1,692	499
Total expenses	5,422	806
Income (loss) from operations	4,707	1,508
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures	3,215
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other		502
Net income (loss)	7,922	2,010
Net income (loss) attributable to NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. common stockholders	$ 7,922	$ 2,010
Net income (loss) per share of common stock, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12	$ 0.10
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	68,356	19,551
Distributions declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.20