Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Loans and other lending investments, net	$ 2,118,723	$ 2,860,762
Net lease assets, net	1,540,464	1,702,764
Real estate held for investment, net	1,174,955	1,228,134
Other real estate owned	706,715	677,458
Other investments	419,648	457,835
Cash and cash equivalents	284,659	356,826
Restricted cash (see Note 10)	493,386	32,630
Accrued interest and operating lease income receivable, net	12,982	20,208
Deferred operating lease income receivable	81,416	73,368
Deferred expenses and other assets, net	107,471	107,852
Total assets	6,940,419	7,517,837
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	136,658	105,357
Debt obligations, net	5,388,860	5,837,540
Total liabilities	5,525,518	5,942,897
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	14,208	1,336
iStar Financial Inc. shareholders' equity:
Preferred Stock Series D, E, F, G and I, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (see Note 12)	22	22
High Performance Units	9,800	9,800
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 142,527 issued and 83,610 outstanding at June 30, 2012 and 140,028 issued and 81,920 outstanding at December 31, 2011	142	140
Additional paid-in capital	3,829,925	3,834,460
Retained earnings (deficit)	(2,270,258)	(2,078,397)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (see Note 12)	(2,012)	(328)
Treasury stock, at cost, $0.001 par value, 58,917 shares at June 30, 2012 and 58,108 shares at December 31, 2011	(241,969)	(237,341)
Total iStar Financial Inc. shareholders' equity	1,325,650	1,528,356
Noncontrolling interests	75,043	45,248
Total equity	1,400,693	1,573,604
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,940,419	$ 7,517,837