Agreements and Transactions with Related Parties - Asset Management and Structuring Revenue (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
CPA: 17 - Global
Revenue from related parties
Asset management fees receivable in cash	50.00%
Asset management fees receivable in shares	50.00%
CWI REITs
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	2.50%
Loan refinancing fee (percentage)	1.00%
Average invested assets | CPA: 16 - Global
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	0.50%
Contract sales price of investment | CWI
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	2.50%
Contract sales price of investment | CESH I
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	2.00%
Average gross assets | CCIF
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of fees earned paid to subadvisor	50.00%
Market value of equity investment | CWI
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	0.50%
Percentage of fees earned paid to subadvisor	20.00%
Market value of equity investment | CWI 2
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	0.55%
Percentage of fees earned paid to subadvisor	25.00%
Minimum | Average equity value | CPA: 17 - Global
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	0.50%
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	1.00%
Minimum | Average equity value | CPA:18 - Global
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	0.50%
Minimum | Average gross assets | CCIF
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	1.75%
Maximum | Contract sales price of investment | Managed Programs
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	6.00%
Maximum | Average equity value | CPA: 17 - Global
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	1.75%
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	1.75%
Maximum | Average equity value | CPA:18 - Global
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	1.50%
Maximum | Average gross assets | CCIF
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	2.00%
Long-term net lease | CPA REITs
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	4.50%
Installment period for deferred acquisition fee receivable	three interest-bearing annual installments
Lodging-related investments | CWI
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	0.50%
Lodging-related investments | CWI 2
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	0.55%
Gross asset fair value | CESH I
Revenue from related parties
Percentage of asset management fees earned	1.00%
Upon Completion | Long-term net lease | CPA REITs
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	2.50%
Deferred | Long-term net lease | CPA REITs
Structuring revenue
Percentage of structuring fees earned	2.00%