Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income from loans and other investments:
Interest and related income	$ 34,939	$ 117,161	$ 158,792
Less: Interest and related expenses	38,138	96,974	123,963
Income from loans and other investments, net	(3,199)	20,187	34,829
Other expenses:
General and administrative	10,369	8,982	6,035
Total other expenses	10,369	8,982	6,035
Total other-than-temporary impairments of securities		(49,309)	(77,960)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairments of securities recognized in other comprehensive income	(160)	1,243	9,594
Impairment of real estate held-for-sale		(1,055)	(4,000)
Net impairments recognized in earnings	(160)	(49,121)	(72,366)
Recovery of (provision for) loan losses	36,147	19,326	(146,478)
Valuation allowance on loans held-for-sale		(1,456)	(2,119)
Gain on extinguishment of debt		271,031	3,134
Fair value adjustment on investment in CT Legacy Asset	51,904
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries	200,283
Gain on sale of investments	6,000
Income from equity investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries	1,781	3,649	3,608
Income (loss) before income taxes	282,387	254,634	(185,427)
Income tax provision	174	1,425	14
Income (loss) from continuing operations	282,213	253,209	(185,441)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(2,138)	(890)	97
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	(271)
Net income (loss)	279,804	252,319	(185,344)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(98,780)	5,823
Net income (loss) attributable to Capital Trust, Inc.	$ 181,024	$ 258,142	$ (185,344)
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share of common stock:
Basic	$ 7.82	$ 11.43	$ (8.29)
Diluted	$ 7.41	$ 10.82	$ (8.29)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations per share of common stock:
Basic	$ (0.10)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.01
Diluted	$ (0.10)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.01
Net income (loss) per share of common stock:
Basic	$ 7.72	$ 11.39	$ (8.28)
Diluted	$ 7.31	$ 10.78	$ (8.28)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic	23,459,432	22,660,429	22,371,264
Diluted	24,752,944	23,950,425	22,371,264