Equity Investment in Real Estate and the Managed REITs (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Income from equity method investments	$ 44,116	$ 52,731	$ 62,392
Distributions of Available Cash (Note 4)	1,307	10,177	17,271
Managed REITs
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Income from equity method investments	2,425	7,057	8,867
Amortization of basis differences on equity investments	(810)	(5,115)	(4,302)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges on the Special Member Interest in CPA®:16 – Global’s operating partnership	(735)	(15,383)	(9,910)
Distributions of Available Cash (Note 4)	31,052	34,121	30,009
Deferred revenue earned (Note 4)	786	9,436	9,436
Total equity in earnings of equity investments in the Managed REITs	32,718	30,116	34,100
Other Jointly Owned Investments
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments
Income from equity method investments	14,828	26,928	29,864
Amortization of basis differences on equity investments	$ (3,430)	$ (4,313)	$ (1,572)

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 32

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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This element represents the undistributed income (or loss) of equity method investments, net of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations; such investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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The amortization associated with the basis differential of the special member's interest

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Amount of deferred revenue recognized (including the amortization base differences) in the period arising from the Company's Special Interest in the operating partnership of an affiliate.

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Income from equity investments including impairment charges.

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