Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The maximum percent of follow on offering proceeds that the affiliates will reimburse to the company, acting as an advisor to its affiliates, for organization and offering costs paid on its behalf.

No definition available.

Name:	wpc_MaximumPercentageOfFollowonOfferingProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	wpc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The maximum percent of offering proceeds that the affiliates will reimburse to the company, acting as an advisor to its affiliates, for organization and offering costs paid on its behalf.

No definition available.

Name:	wpc_MaximumPercentageOfOfferingProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	wpc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The percentage threshold for personnel and overhead reimbursement chargeable by the advisor for personnel cost. Personnel expenses excludes costs related to the advisor’s legal transaction group allocated. The threshold is based on pro rata revenue.

No definition available.

Name:	wpc_MaximumPersonnelandOverheadReimbursementPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	wpc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The maximum percentage of available cash generated from operations, excluding capital proceeds, as reduced by operating expenses and debt service, excluding prepayments and balloon payments, of the operating partnership that is paid to the advisor for service fees.

No definition available.

Name:	wpc_PercentageOfAvailableCashDistributionToAdvisor
Namespace Prefix:	wpc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Reimbursed Costs From Affiliates And Wholesaling Revenue [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	wpc_ReimbursedCostsFromAffiliatesAndWholesalingRevenueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	wpc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Required Distribution of Organization and Offering Cost Received by Subadvisor

No definition available.

Name:	wpc_RequiredDistributionofOrganizationandOfferingCostReceivedbySubadvisor
Namespace Prefix:	wpc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=wpc_CPAReitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=wpc_CorporatePropertyAssociatesEighteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=wpc_CwiMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=wpc_CareyWatermarkIncorporatedTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: