CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 271,940	$ 246,283	$ 159,152
Adjustments to net income:
Depreciation and amortization	374,661	306,769	147,515
Income from discontinued operations	(2,800)	(65,670)	(17,257)
Amortization of share-based compensation	11,959	20,785	10,001
Non-cash rental adjustments	(6,848)	(5,554)	(4,199)
Amortization of net premiums on mortgages payable	(12,891)	(9,481)	(665)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	8,335	9,364	6,849
Gain on sale of real estate	(39,205)
Provisions for impairment on real estate	4,126	290	3,639
Cash provided by discontinued operations:
Real estate	427	5,599	12,677
Proceeds from sale of real estate	820	597
Change in assets and liabilities, other than from the impact of our acquisition of American Realty Capital Trust, Inc., or ARCT
Accounts receivable and other assets	(4,311)	(2,922)	573
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	21,479	12,846	8,184
Net cash provided by operating activities	627,692	518,906	326,469
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in real estate, net of cash acquired	(1,228,243)	(1,429,483)	(1,015,725)
Improvements to real estate, including leasing costs	(6,032)	(8,507)	(6,554)
Proceeds from sale of real estate:
Continuing operations	88,688	8	23
Discontinued operations	6,918	126,785	50,563
Collection (issuance) of loans receivable	350	(10,656)	(34,876)
Restricted escrow deposits for Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and pending acquisitions	(36,540)	(10,158)	(1,805)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,174,859)	(1,332,011)	(1,008,374)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash distributions to common stockholders	(479,256)	(409,222)	(236,348)
Cash dividends to preferred stockholders	(38,300)	(41,930)	(39,445)
Borrowings on line of credit	1,672,321	2,624,700	1,074,000
Payments on line of credit	(1,577,321)	(2,654,700)	(1,153,400)
Proceeds from notes and bonds payable issued	598,594	750,000	800,000
Principal payment on notes payable		(100,000)
Principal payments on mortgages payable	(85,208)	(32,603)	(11,729)
Proceeds from term loan		70,000
Repayment of ARCT line of credit		(317,207)
Repayment of ARCT term loan		(235,000)
Proceeds from common stock offerings, net	528,615	1,133,574
Proceeds from preferred stock offerings, net			395,377
Redemption of preferred stock	(220,000)		(127,500)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,844)	(1,216)
Debt issuance costs	(5,505)	(10,666)	(16,979)
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan, net	158,462	55,806	2,159
Other items, including shares withheld upon vesting	(9,796)	(13,422)	(3,147)
Net cash provided by financing activities	540,762	818,114	682,988
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(6,405)	5,009	1,083
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	10,257	5,248	4,165
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 3,852	$ 10,257	$ 5,248