Stockholders' Equity - Share-based Compensation Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense	$ 49,070	$ 51,005	$ 45,880
Management fees
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense	37,907	45,484	43,756
Management fees | Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Manager Equity Plan
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense	21,484	26,625	26,498
Management fees | Management Agreement
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense	16,423	18,859	17,258
General and administrative:
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense	11,163	5,521	2,124
General and administrative: | Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Non-Executive Director Stock Plan
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense	435	360	294
General and administrative: | Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Equity Plan
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense	$ 10,728	$ 5,161	$ 1,830