CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate investments:
Land and improvements	$ 1,772,417	$ 1,614,847
Buildings and improvements	16,920,821	15,337,919
Construction in progress	70,665	76,638
Acquired lease intangibles	981,704	800,858
Gross real estate investment	19,745,607	17,830,262
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,634,075)	(1,916,530)
Net real estate property	17,111,532	15,913,732
Secured loans receivable, net	635,002	212,577
Investments in unconsolidated entities	95,409	105,303
Net real estate investments	17,841,943	16,231,612
Cash and cash equivalents	67,908	45,807
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	105,913	76,590
Deferred financing costs, net	42,551	26,669
Other assets	921,685	891,232
Total assets	18,980,000	17,271,910
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	8,413,646	6,429,116
Accrued interest	47,565	37,694
Accounts payable and other liabilities	995,156	1,085,597
Deferred income taxes	259,715	260,722
Total liabilities	9,716,082	7,813,129
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	174,555	102,837
Commitments and contingencies
Ventas stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, unissued	0	0
Common stock, $0.25 par value; 600,000 shares authorized, 295,565 and 288,823 shares issued at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	73,904	72,240
Capital in excess of par value	9,920,962	9,593,583
Accumulated other comprehensive income	23,354	22,062
Retained earnings (deficit)	(777,927)	(412,181)
Treasury stock, 3,699 and 14 shares at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	(221,165)	(747)
Total Ventas stockholders’ equity	9,019,128	9,274,957
Noncontrolling interest	70,235	80,987
Total equity	9,089,363	9,355,944
Total liabilities and equity	$ 18,980,000	$ 17,271,910