Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Income Statement Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 531,691	$ 537,971	$ 491,567	$ 436,154	$ 441,919	$ 456,022	$ 469,551	$ 479,197	$ 1,997,383	$ 1,846,689	$ 1,848,378
Operating expenses									(879,370)	(705,038)	(666,251)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations											0
Net income (loss)	$ 47,359	$ (42,308)	$ (9,980)	$ 64,990	$ 834,383	$ 102,926	$ 92,928	$ 43,237	60,061	1,073,474	422,634
Distributions received by Healthpeak Properties, Inc.									20,114	22,467	44,142
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total revenues									523,684	642,724	810,216
Operating expenses									(381,257)	(492,784)	(643,452)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations									(50,872)	(43,704)	(42,408)
Fees earned by Healthpeak Properties, Inc.									169	125	133
Distributions received by Healthpeak Properties, Inc.									47,186	48,939	81,165
HCP Inc | Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									$ (8,625)	$ (2,594)	$ 10,901