CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Real estate investments:
Land and improvements	$ 2,147,621	$ 2,089,591
Buildings and improvements	22,177,088	21,516,396
Construction in progress	343,129	210,599
Acquired lease intangibles	1,537,995	1,510,629
Gross real estate investment	26,205,833	25,327,215
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(5,617,453)	(4,932,461)
Net real estate property	20,588,380	20,394,754
Secured loans receivable and investments, net	1,346,359	702,021
Investments in unconsolidated real estate entities	123,639	95,921
Net real estate investments	22,058,378	21,192,696
Cash and cash equivalents	81,355	286,707
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	106,898	80,647
Goodwill	1,034,641	1,033,225
Assets held for sale	100,324	54,961
Other assets	572,945	518,364
Total assets	23,954,541	23,166,600
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	11,276,062	11,127,326
Accrued interest	93,958	83,762
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,182,552	907,928
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	61,202	1,462
Deferred income taxes	250,092	316,641
Total liabilities	12,863,866	12,437,119
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	158,490	200,728
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, 356,187 and 354,125 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	89,029	88,514
Capital in excess of par value	13,053,057	12,917,002
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(35,120)	(57,534)
Retained earnings (deficit)	(2,240,698)	(2,487,695)
Treasury stock, 1 share at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	(42)	(47)
Total Ventas stockholders’ equity	10,866,226	10,460,240
Noncontrolling interests	65,959	68,513
Total equity	10,932,185	10,528,753
Total liabilities and equity	$ 23,954,541	$ 23,166,600