CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate investments:
Land and improvements	$ 1,856,739	$ 1,772,417
Buildings and improvements	18,383,075	16,920,821
Construction in progress	79,172	70,665
Acquired lease intangibles	1,012,163	981,704
Gross real estate investments	21,331,149	19,745,607
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,156,206)	(2,634,075)
Net real estate property	18,174,943	17,111,532
Secured loans receivable and investments, net	400,889	635,002
Investments in unconsolidated entities	91,531	95,409
Net real estate investments	18,667,363	17,841,943
Cash and cash equivalents	54,672	67,908
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	98,200	105,913
Deferred financing costs, net	55,242	42,551
Other assets	1,003,881	921,685
Total assets	19,879,358	18,980,000
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	9,413,318	8,413,646
Accrued interest	62,176	47,565
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,019,166	995,156
Deferred income taxes	248,369	259,715
Total liabilities	10,743,029	9,716,082
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	171,921	174,555
Commitments and contingencies
Ventas stockholders' equity:
unissued	0	0
Common stock, $0.25 par value; 600,000 shares authorized, 296,940 and 295,565 shares issued at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	74,345	73,904
Capital in excess of par value	10,032,285	9,920,962
Accumulated other comprehensive income	21,293	23,354
Retained earnings (deficit)	(1,021,628)	(777,927)
Treasury stock, 3,698 and 3,698 shares at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	(221,203)	(221,165)
Total Ventas stockholders' equity	8,885,092	9,019,128
Noncontrolling interest	79,316	70,235
Total equity	8,964,408	9,089,363
Total liabilities and equity	$ 19,879,358	$ 18,980,000