CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (PARENTHETICALS) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	$ 631,496,000	$ 560,592,000
Operating real estate, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	109,824,000	109,851,000
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of$21,861 and $20,431, respectively)	(131,725,000)	(122,312,000)
Net investments in properties, attributable to deconsolidated subsidiary	609,595,000	548,131,000
Intangible assets and goodwill, net, attributable to deconsolided subsidiary	(128,249,000)	(87,768,000)
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	37,095,000	64,693,000
Other Assets attributable to consolidated VIEs	41,021,000	34,097,000
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	335,354,000	255,232,000
Accounts payable attributable to consolidated VIEs	71,708,000	40,808,000
W. P. Carey members' equity:
Listed shares, authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Listed shares, issued	39,717,286	39,454,847
Listed shares, outstanding	39,717,286	39,454,847
Variable Interest Entity Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investments in real estate:
Real estates, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	41,018,000	39,718,000
Operating real estate, at cost attributable to consolidated VIEs	26,306,000	25,665,000
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of amounts attributable to consolidated VIEs of$21,861 and $20,431, respectively)	21,861,000	20,431,000
Cash and cash equivalents attributable to consolidated VIEs	366,000	86,000
Other Assets attributable to consolidated VIEs	2,914,000	1,845,000
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	14,360,000	9,593,000
Accounts payable attributable to consolidated VIEs	1,775,000	2,275,000
Deconsolidation Financials Member
Investments in real estate:
Net investments in properties, attributable to deconsolidated subsidiary	5,340,000,000
Intangible assets and goodwill, net, attributable to deconsolided subsidiary	(15,000,000)
Total assets of deconsolidated subsidiary	5,325,000,000
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt attributable to consolidated VIEs	6,311,000,000
Accounts payable accrued expenses and other liabilities of deconsolidated subsidiary	22,000,000
Total liabilities of deconsolidated subsidiary	$ 6,333,000,000