Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in real estate:
Real estate, at cost (inclusive of $250,240 and $78,782, respectively, attributable to variable interest entities, or VIEs)	$ 4,497,999	$ 2,516,325
Operating real estate, at cost (inclusive of $38,714 and $0, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	84,544	6,024
Accumulated depreciation (inclusive of $21,806 and $18,238, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	(217,155)	(168,958)
Net investments in properties	4,365,388	2,353,391
Net investments in direct financing leases (inclusive of $64,716 and $18,089, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	880,000	363,420
Assets held for sale	0	86,823
Equity investments in real estate and the Managed REITs	211,225	530,020
Net investments in real estate	5,456,613	3,333,654
Cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of $2,216 and $37, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	214,971	117,519
Due from affiliates	39,516	32,034
Goodwill	698,891	350,208
In-place lease intangible assets, net (inclusive of $30,004 and $3,385, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	966,406	467,127
Above-market rent intangible assets, net (inclusive of $14,738 and $2,544, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	570,498	241,975
Other assets, net (inclusive of $21,144 and $4,246, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	346,853	136,433
Total assets	8,293,748	4,678,950
Liabilities:
Non-recourse debt (inclusive of $150,915 and $29,042, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	2,823,415	1,492,410
Senior credit facility and unsecured term loan	476,700	575,000
Senior unsecured notes	498,255	0
Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities, net (inclusive of $10,656 and $3,481, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	180,364	128,202
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (inclusive of $6,676 and $2,988, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	298,432	166,385
Deferred income taxes (inclusive of $838 and $0, respectively, attributable to VIEs)	87,991	39,040
Distributions payable	90,610	67,746
Total liabilities	4,455,767	2,468,783
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	6,418	7,436
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized; 100,424,204 and 69,299,949 shares issued, respectively; and 99,379,788 and 68,266,570 shares outstanding, respectively	100	69
Additional paid-in capital	4,024,039	2,256,503
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(327,460)	(318,577)
Deferred compensation obligation	30,624	11,354
Accumulated other comprehensive income	14,215	15,336
Less: treasury stock at cost, 1,044,416 and 1,033,379 shares, respectively	(60,948)	(60,270)
Total W. P. Carey stockholders’ equity	3,680,570	1,904,415
Noncontrolling interests	150,993	298,316
Total equity	3,831,563	2,202,731
Total liabilities and equity	$ 8,293,748	$ 4,678,950