Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Lease revenues:
Rental income	$ 108,707	$ 52,360	$ 41,940
Interest income from direct financing leases	15,796	10,278	9,542
Total lease revenues	124,503	62,638	51,482
Asset management revenue from affiliates	56,666	66,808	76,246
Structuring revenue from affiliates	48,355	46,831	44,525
Incentive, termination and subordinated disposition revenue from affiliates	0	52,515	0
Wholesaling revenue	19,914	11,664	11,096
Reimbursed costs from affiliates	98,245	64,829	60,023
Other real estate income	26,312	22,499	17,273
Revenues, Total	373,995	327,784	260,645
Operating Expenses
General and administrative	(144,809)	(93,733)	(73,427)
Reimbursable costs	(98,245)	(64,829)	(60,023)
Depreciation and amortization	(48,790)	(24,347)	(18,309)
Property expenses	(13,041)	(10,145)	(8,009)
Other real estate expenses	(9,850)	(10,784)	(8,121)
Impairment charge	(10,467)	1,365	(1,140)
Operating Expenses, Total	(325,202)	(202,473)	(169,029)
Other Income and Expenses
Other interest income	1,396	2,001	1,269
Income from equity investments in real estate and Managed REITs	62,392	51,228	30,992
Gain on change in control of interests	20,744	27,859	781
Other income and (expenses)	3,402	4,578	627
Interest expense	(50,573)	(21,770)	(15,636)
Other Income and Expenses, Total	37,361	63,896	18,033
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	86,154	189,207	109,649
Provision for income taxes	(6,783)	(37,214)	(25,814)
Income from continuing operations	79,371	151,993	83,835
Discontinued Operations
Income from operations of discontinued properties, net of tax	922	1,366	4,897
Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary		1,008
(Loss) gain on sales of real estate	(5,019)	(3,391)	460
Impairment charges	(12,495)	(11,838)	(14,241)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(16,592)	(12,855)	(8,884)
Net income	62,779	139,138	74,951
Net (income) loss attributable to non controlling interest	(607)	1,864	314
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	(40)	(1,923)	(1,293)
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	62,132	139,079	73,972
Basic Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.65	$ 3.76	$ 2.08
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ (0.35)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.22)
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.30	$ 3.44	$ 1.86
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.62	$ 3.74	$ 2.08
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to W. P. Carey	$ (0.34)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.22)
Net income attributable to W. P. Carey	$ 1.28	$ 3.42	$ 1.86
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic	47,389,460	39,819,475	39,514,746
Diluted	48,078,474	40,098,095	40,007,894
Amounts Attributable to W. P. Carey
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	78,724	151,934	82,856
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(16,592)	(12,855)	(8,884)
Net income	$ 62,132	$ 139,079	$ 73,972