Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases - Consolidated Balancesheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial statement line items affected by the adoption
Right of use assets, net	$ 13,464	$ 13,036
Real estate:
Building and improvements	4,891,996	4,991,761
Land	637,601	646,322
Accumulated depreciation	(1,111,768)	(1,019,821)
Net real estate	4,417,829	4,618,262
Real estate and related assets held for sale, net	16,019	117,949
Cash and cash equivalents	126,185	6,058	$ 1,894	$ 2,605
Restricted cash	17	14,526
Intangible assets, net	199,745	224,408
Straight-line rent receivables, net	3,296	95,259
Other assets, net	26,284	17,172
Total assets	4,789,375	5,093,634
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Bank line of credit	25,000
Loans Payable	957,465
Senior secured notes	730,604
Tenant security deposits and deferred revenue	5,587	4,424
Accrued interest	12,526
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,426	1,716
Income taxes payable	16,544
Total liabilities	1,752,152	6,140
Equity:
Redeemable preferred stock	1,930
Common stock	936
Additional paid-in capital	3,163,954
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(130,094)
Total stockholders' equity	3,034,796	5,087,494
Noncontrolling interests	497
Total equity	3,035,293	5,087,494	$ 5,657,927	$ 5,870,269
Net parent investment		5,087,494
Total liabilities and equity	4,789,375	5,093,634
Classified as DFL
Real estate:
Building and improvements	191,633	191,633
Land	14,147	14,147
Accumulated depreciation	(70,369)	(65,319)
Net real estate	135,411	140,461
Net investment in direct financing lease	5,054,805	5,154,316
Cash and cash equivalents	126,185	6,058
Restricted cash	17	14,526
Intangible assets, net	16,032	17,049
Other assets, net	16,117	7,790
Total assets	5,348,567	5,340,200
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Bank line of credit	25,000
Loans Payable	957,465
Senior secured notes	730,604
Tenant security deposits and deferred revenue	5,587	4,424
Accrued interest	12,526
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,824	1,716
Income taxes payable	16,544
Total liabilities	1,751,550	6,140
Equity:
Redeemable preferred stock	1,930
Common stock	936
Additional paid-in capital	3,560,886
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	32,768
Total stockholders' equity	3,594,590
Noncontrolling interests	497
Total equity	3,595,087
Net parent investment		5,334,060
Total liabilities and equity	5,348,567	5,340,200
Adjustment | ASU No. 2016 02, Leases (Topic 842) | Early Adoption
Real estate:
Building and improvements	4,700,363	4,800,128
Land	623,454	632,175
Accumulated depreciation	(1,041,399)	(954,502)
Net real estate	4,282,418	4,477,801
Real estate and related assets held for sale, net	16,019	117,949
Net investment in direct financing lease	(5,054,805)	(5,154,316)
Intangible assets, net	183,713	207,359
Straight-line rent receivables, net	3,296	95,259
Other assets, net	10,167	9,382
Total assets	(559,192)	(246,566)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	602
Total liabilities	602
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	(396,932)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(162,862)
Total stockholders' equity	(559,794)
Total equity	(559,794)
Net parent investment		(246,566)
Total liabilities and equity	(559,192)	(246,566)
Reported as Operating Lease
Real estate:
Building and improvements	4,891,996	4,991,761
Land	637,601	646,322
Accumulated depreciation	(1,111,768)	(1,019,821)
Net real estate	4,417,829	4,618,262
Real estate and related assets held for sale, net	16,019	117,949
Cash and cash equivalents	126,185	6,058
Restricted cash	17	14,526
Intangible assets, net	199,745	224,408
Straight-line rent receivables, net	3,296	95,259
Other assets, net	26,284	17,172
Total assets	4,789,375	5,093,634
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Bank line of credit	25,000
Loans Payable	957,465
Senior secured notes	730,604
Tenant security deposits and deferred revenue	5,587	4,424
Accrued interest	12,526
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,426	1,716
Income taxes payable	16,544
Total liabilities	1,752,152	6,140
Equity:
Redeemable preferred stock	1,930
Common stock	936
Additional paid-in capital	3,163,954
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(130,094)
Total stockholders' equity	3,034,796
Noncontrolling interests	497
Total equity	3,035,293
Net parent investment		5,087,494
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,789,375	$ 5,093,634