Equity Investment in Real Estate and the Managed REITs (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in REITs
Equity investments in real estate	$ 211,225	$ 530,020
CPA: 16 - Global
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	100.00%	18.533%
Equity investments in real estate	0	282,520
CPA:16 - Global operating partnership
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	100.00%	0.015%
Equity investments in real estate	0	813
CPA: 17 - Global
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	2.295%	1.91%
Equity investments in real estate	69,485	57,753
CPA:17 - Global operating partnership
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	0.009%	0.009%
Equity investments in real estate	0	0
CPA:18 - Global
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	0.101%	0.127%
Equity investments in real estate	1,226	320
CPA:18 - Global operating partnership
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	0.034%	0.034%
Equity investments in real estate	209	209
CWI
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	0.918%	0.538%
Equity investments in real estate	6,953	3,369
CWI operating partnership
Investments in REITs
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	0.015%	0.015%
Equity investments in real estate	0	0
Managed REITs
Investments in REITs
Equity investments in real estate	$ 77,873	$ 344,984