Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Class A Common Stock	Restricted Class A Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests	Accumulated Deficit	Total
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 218	$ 1	$ 559,145	$ (39,135)		$ (689,396)	$ (169,167)
Net income attributable to Capital Trust, Inc.	(60,551)						(60,551)	(60,551)
Allocation to noncontrolling interests								0
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle					3,800		(45,615)	(41,815)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments	(5,994)				(5,994)			(5,994)
Loss on interest rate swaps not designated as cash flow hedges
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on securities	(406)				(406)			(406)
Amortization of deferred gains and losses on settlement of swaps	(50)				(50)			(50)
Other-than-temporary impairments of securities related to fair value adjustments in excess of expected credit losses, net of amortization	(15,800)				(15,800)			(15,800)
Restricted class A common stock earned		1		19				20
Deferred directors' compensation				103				103
Ending balance, value at Jun. 30, 2010	(82,801)	219	1	559,267	(57,585)		(795,562)	(293,660)
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010		219		559,411	(50,462)		(920,355)	(411,187)
Net income attributable to Capital Trust, Inc.	252,740						252,740	252,740
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,400					7,400		7,400
Allocation to noncontrolling interests				37,156		(12,623)		24,533
Purchase of noncontrolling interests				(142)				(142)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments	3,545				3,545			3,545
Loss on interest rate swaps not designated as cash flow hedges	3,201				3,201			3,201
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses on securities	(506)				(506)			(506)
Amortization of deferred gains and losses on settlement of swaps	(47)				(47)			(47)
Other-than-temporary impairments of securities related to fair value adjustments in excess of expected credit losses, net of amortization	3,966				3,966			3,966
Restricted class A common stock earned		1	2	230				233
Deferred directors' compensation				94				94
Ending balance, value at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 270,299	$ 220	$ 2	$ 596,749	$ (40,303)	$ (5,223)	$ (667,615)	$ (116,170)