Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jul. 26, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Net real estate investments	$ 28,474,947	$ 31,119,271
Cash and cash equivalents	1,545,046	284,917		$ 381,913
Receivables and other assets	629,031	757,748
Total assets	32,483,642	33,380,751
Liabilities and equity:
Secured debt	2,377,930	2,990,962
Lease liabilities	418,266	473,693
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,041,594	1,009,482
Total equity	16,881,572	16,506,627	$ 15,586,599		$ 14,925,452
Total liabilities and equity	32,483,642	33,380,751
VIE, Primary Beneficiary
Assets:
Net real estate investments	454,333	960,093
Cash and cash equivalents	15,547	27,522
Receivables and other assets	11,171	14,586
Total assets	481,051	1,002,201
Liabilities and equity:
Secured debt	165,671	460,117
Lease liabilities	1,325	1,326
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	14,997	22,215
Total equity	299,058	518,543
Total liabilities and equity	$ 481,051	$ 1,002,201