Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Rental properties, net of accumulated depreciation of $635,535 and $534,303 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	$ 3,595,762	$ 3,025,199
Land held for development	22,530	23,610
Property under development	297,110	378,920
Mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable, net	613,978	423,780
Investment in a direct financing lease, net	102,698	190,880
Investment in joint ventures	5,972	6,168
Cash and cash equivalents	19,335	4,283
Restricted cash	9,744	10,578
Accounts receivable, net	98,939	59,101
Other assets	98,954	94,751
Total assets	4,865,022	4,217,270
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	119,758	92,178
Common dividends payable	20,367	18,401
Preferred dividends payable	5,951	5,951
Unearned rents and interest	47,420	44,952
Debt	2,485,625	1,981,920
Total liabilities	2,679,121	2,143,402
Equity:
Common Shares, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; and 66,263,487 and 63,195,182 shares issued at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	663	632
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Additional paid-in-capital	2,677,046	2,508,445
Treasury shares at cost: 2,616,406 and 2,371,198 common shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	(113,172)	(97,328)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,734	5,622
Distributions in excess of net income	(386,509)	(343,642)
Equity	2,185,901	2,073,868
Total liabilities and equity	4,865,022	4,217,270
Series C Preferred Shares [Member]
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred shares	54	54
Series E Preferred Shares [Member]
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred shares	35	35
Series F Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred shares, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized:
Preferred shares	$ 50	$ 50