Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 37,198	$ 34,818
Loans receivable, net	17,230	19,282
Equity investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries	16,983	10,399
Deferred income taxes	2,691	1,268
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,916	4,533
Subtotal, assets	76,018	70,300
Total assets	605,558	1,366,316
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities	14,022	8,075
Secured notes	8,010	7,847
Participations sold	17,230	19,282
Subtotal, liabilities	39,262	35,204
Total liabilities	588,560	1,495,255
Commitments and contingencies
Equity (deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	597,230	597,049
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(35,461)	(40,584)
Accumulated deficit	(600,558)	(667,111)
Total Capital Trust, Inc. shareholders' deficit	(38,566)	(110,424)
Noncontrolling interests	55,564	(18,515)
Total equity (deficit)	16,998	(128,939)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)	605,558	1,366,316
Class A Common Stock
Equity (deficit):
Class A common stock: $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 21,969 and 21,967 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ("class A common stock"); restricted class A common stock: $0.01 par value, 277 and 244 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ("restricted class A common stock" and together with class A common stock, "common stock")	220	220
Restricted Class A Common Stock
Equity (deficit):
Class A common stock: $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 21,969 and 21,967 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ("class A common stock"); restricted class A common stock: $0.01 par value, 277 and 244 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ("restricted class A common stock" and together with class A common stock, "common stock")	3	2
CT Legacy REIT, Excluding Securitization Vehicles
Assets
Restricted cash	12,512	12,985
Securities held-to-maturity		2,602
Loans receivable, net		206,514
Loans held-for-sale, net		30,875
Investment in CT Legacy Assets, at fair value	91,800
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		2,119
Subtotal, assets	104,312	255,095
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities		743
Repurchase obligations		58,464
Mezzanine loan, net of unamortized discount		55,111
Participations sold		97,465
Interest rate hedge liabilities		8,817
Subtotal, liabilities		220,600
Securitization Vehicles
Assets
Securities held-to-maturity	173,330	358,972
Loans receivable, net	241,838	612,598
Real estate held-for-sale		10,342
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	10,060	59,009
Subtotal, assets	425,228	1,040,921
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities	544	3,102
Securitized debt obligations	525,597	1,211,407
Interest rate hedge liabilities	23,157	24,942
Subtotal, liabilities	$ 549,298	$ 1,239,451