Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Reconciliation Of Equity Table Text Block

			W. P. Carey		Noncontrolling
	Total Equity		Members		Interests
Balance at January 1, 2011	$	665,474	$	625,013	$	40,461
Shares issued		1,018		1,018		-
Contributions		1,459		-		1,459
Redemption value adjustment		691		691		-
Purchase of noncontrolling interest (a)		(7,491)		(5,879)		(1,612)
Net income (loss)		101,741		102,455		(714)
Stock-based compensation expense		8,628		8,628		-
Windfall tax provision - share incentive plans		872		872		-
Distributions		(44,725)		(42,561)		(2,164)
Change in other comprehensive income		7,604		6,367		1,237
Shares repurchased		(3,255)		(3,255)		-
Balance at June 30, 2011	$	732,016	$	693,349	$	38,667

			W. P. Carey		Noncontrolling
	Total Equity		Members		Interests
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	632,408	$	625,633	$	6,775
Shares issued		799		799		-
Contributions		11,180		-		11,180
Redemption value adjustment		538		538		-
Tax impact of purchase of WPCI interest		(1,637)		(1,637)		-
Net income (loss)		37,431		37,845		(414)
Stock-based compensation expense		4,936		4,936		-
Windfall tax benefits - share incentive plans		(159)		(159)		-
Distributions		(41,824)		(40,974)		(850)
Change in other comprehensive loss		(9,665)		(9,178)		(487)
Shares repurchased		(904)		(904)		-
Balance at June 30, 2010	$	633,103	$	616,899	$	16,204

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Rollforward

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2011		2010
Balance at January 1,	$	7,546	$	7,692
Redemption value adjustment		(691)		(538)
Net income		604		592
Distributions		(676)		(610)
Change in other comprehensive income (loss)		9		(17)
Balance at June 30,	$	6,792	$	7,119