Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Operating activities:
Net income		$ 358,139	$ 160,568	$ 374,479
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,401,101	1,310,368	1,037,566
Other amortization expenses		42,645	28,234	19,148
Provision for loan losses		9,809	10,320	7,270
Impairment of assets		36,097	17,502	51,107
Stock-based compensation expense		37,199	26,149	17,812
Loss (gain) on derivatives and financial instruments, net		(2,120)	8,334	(7,333)
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net		7	680	49,874
Loss (income) from unconsolidated entities		53,442	21,290	22,933
Rental income less than (in excess of) cash received		(135,758)	(108,883)	(30,820)
Amortization related to above (below) market leases, net		(529)	(1,693)	(3,536)
Loss (gain) on real estate dispositions, net		(67,898)	(16,043)	(235,375)
Loss (gain) on loss of control of subsidiary		(65,485)	0	0
Distributions by unconsolidated entities		11,623	12,462	16,763
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities		(79,801)	50,857	77,554
Decrease (increase) in receivables and other assets		3,390	(191,437)	(122,117)
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities		1,601,861	1,328,708	1,275,325
Investing activities:
Cash disbursed for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(3,558,266)	(2,306,020)	(4,084,174)
Cash disbursed for capital improvements to existing properties		(517,682)	(476,016)	(282,588)
Cash disbursed for construction in progress		(1,014,935)	(631,737)	(417,963)
Capitalized interest		(50,699)	(30,491)	(19,352)
Investment in loans receivable		(490,736)	(156,045)	(997,449)
Principal collected on loans receivable		90,215	196,310	343,260
Other investments, net of payments		(100,128)	(98,459)	(26,595)
Contributions to unconsolidated entities		(343,498)	(502,171)	(396,020)
Distributions by unconsolidated entities		149,753	37,571	286,772
Proceeds from (payments on) derivatives		31,493	63,747	7,519
Proceeds from sales of real property		96,741	199,496	1,070,322
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities		(5,707,742)	(3,703,815)	(4,516,268)
Financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) under unsecured credit facility and commercial paper		0		324,935
Net increase (decrease) under unsecured credit facility and commercial paper			(324,935)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes		1,011,780	1,040,232	1,703,626
Payments to extinguish senior unsecured notes		0	0	(1,533,752)
Net proceeds from the issuance of secured debt		385,115	113,183	23,569
Payments on secured debt		(741,856)	(457,180)	(197,618)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock		6,010,129	3,667,854	2,348,201
Payments for deferred financing costs and prepayment penalties		(7,220)	(5,062)	(73,735)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests	[1]	280,678	138,656	156,318
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	[1]	(216,273)	(272,414)	(138,756)
Cash distributions to stockholders		(1,260,578)	(1,131,527)	(1,035,906)
Other financing activities		(13,128)	(7,530)	(9,218)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities		5,448,647	2,761,277	1,567,664
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		11,025	(10,633)	(1,009)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		1,353,791	375,537	(1,674,288)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		722,292	346,755	2,021,043
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		2,076,083	722,292	346,755
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid		628,582	531,672	492,742
Income taxes paid (received)		$ 7,682	$ 3,435	$ (4,812)

[1] Includes amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.