Organization (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		186 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Feb. 10, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 Capital Trust, Inc.	Jun. 30, 2012 March 2011 Restructuring Capital Trust, Inc.
Completed commercial real estate debt investments		$ 12,000,000
Mezzanine loan			83,000
Retained unencumbered ownership			100.00%
Equity interest in the common stock of CT Legacy REIT			52.00%
Ownership of preferred stock CT Legacy REIT			100.00%
Cumulative preferred dividends per annum			Class A preferred stock initially entitles us to cumulative preferred dividends of $7.5 million per annum, which dividends will be reduced in January 2013 to the greater of (i) 2.5% of certain of CT Legacy REIT's assets, and (ii)$1.0 million per annum.
Refinance with repurchase facility	$ 124,000

83,000

Equity interest in the common stock of CT Legacy REIT

52.00%

Cumulative preferred dividends per annum

Class A preferred stock initially entitles us to cumulative preferred dividends of $7.5 million per annum, which dividends will be reduced in January 2013 to the greater of (i) 2.5% of certain of CT Legacy REIT's assets, and (ii)$1.0 million per annum.