Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting	The consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein were prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The information furnished includes all adjustments and accruals of a normal recurring nature, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any subsequent interim period. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 of the Company, which are included on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2014 and Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 20, 2014. There have been no significant changes to these policies during the six months ended June 30, 2014, other than the updates described below. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, consolidated joint venture arrangements and its subsidiaries. The portions of the unconsolidated joint venture arrangements not owned by the Company are presented as noncontrolling interests. In addition, as described in Note 1 — Organization, certain affiliates and non-affiliated third parties have been issued OP Units. Holders of OP Units are considered to be non-controlling interest holders in the OP and their ownership interest is reflected as equity in the consolidated balance sheets. In addition, a portion of the earnings and losses of the OP are allocated to non-controlling interest holders based on their respective ownership percentages. Upon conversion of OP Units to common stock, any difference between the fair value of common shares issued and the carrying value of the OP Units converted is recorded as a component of equity. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were 24,771,215 and 9,591,173 OP Units outstanding, respectively. In addition, as discussed in Note 2 — Mergers and Acquisitions, the historical information of ARCT III and ARCT IV has been presented as if the mergers had occurred as of the beginning of the earliest period presented.
Reclassification	Reclassification Certain reclassifications have been made to the previously issued historical financial statements of the Company to conform to this presentation. Refer to Note 4 — Acquisitions of CapLease, Cole and CCPT and Note 6 — Real Estate Investments.
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	Investment in Unconsolidated Entities Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures as of June 30, 2014 consisted of the Company’s interest in six joint ventures that owned six properties (the “Unconsolidated Joint Ventures”). As of June 30, 2014, the Company owned aggregate equity investments of $98.1 million in the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. The Company accounts for the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of these investments. The equity method of accounting requires the investment to be initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s share of equity in the joint ventures’ earnings and distributions. Investment in Managed REITs As of June 30, 2014, the Company owned aggregate equity investments of $3.9 million in the following publicly registered, non-traded REITs: Cole Credit Property Trust IV, Inc. (“CCPT IV”); Cole Corporate Income Trust, Inc. (“CCIT”); Cole Real Estate Income Strategy (Daily NAV), Inc. (“INAV”); Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT II), Inc. (“CCIT II”); and Cole Credit Property Trust V, Inc. (“CCPT V,” and collectively with CCPT IV, CCIT, INAV and CCIT II, the “Managed REITs”). Prior to the CCPT Acquisition Date, CCPT was a Managed REIT and accounted for using the equity method. As of the CCPT Acquisition Date, the Company had an approximately $5,000 equity investment in CCPT. The Company accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the Managed REITs’ operating and financial policies through its advisory and property management agreements with the respective Managed REITs. The equity method of accounting requires the investment to be initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s share of equity in the respective Managed REIT’s earnings and distributions.
Leasehold Improvements and Property, Plant and Equipment	Leasehold Improvements and Property and Equipment The Company leases its office facilities under operating leases. Leasehold improvements related to these are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life or remaining lease term. Property and equipment, which primarily include office furniture, fixtures and equipment and computer hardware and software, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from five to seven years. The Company reassesses the useful lives of its property and equipment and adjusts the future monthly depreciation expense based on the new useful life, as applicable. If the Company disposes of an asset, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are written off upon disposal.
Impairments	Impairments Investment in Unconsolidated Entities The Company is required to determine whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of any of its investment in the unconsolidated entities. If an event or change in circumstance has occurred, the Company is required to evaluate its investment in the unconsolidated entity for potential impairment and determine if the carrying amount of its investment exceeds its fair value. An impairment charge is recorded when an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers whether it has the ability and intent to hold the investment until the carrying amount is fully recovered. The evaluation of an investment in an unconsolidated entity for potential impairment requires the Company’s management to exercise significant judgment and to make certain assumptions. The use of different judgments and assumptions could result in different conclusions. No impairment indicators were identified, and no impairment losses were recorded related to the Company’s unconsolidated entities for the period from the Cole Acquisition Date to June 30, 2014. Leasehold Improvements and Property and Equipment Leasehold improvements and property and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If this review indicates that the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable, the Company records an impairment loss, measured at fair value by estimated discounted cash flows or market appraisals. No impairments of leasehold improvements or property or equipment were identified during the six months ended June 30, 2014.
Program Development Costs	Program Development Costs The Company pays for organization, registration and offering expenses associated with the sale of common stock of the Managed REITs. The reimbursement of these expenses by the Managed REITs is limited to a certain percentage of the proceeds raised from their offerings, in accordance with their respective advisory agreements and charters. Such expenses paid by the Company on behalf of the Managed REITs in excess of these limits that are expected to be collected are recorded as program development costs. The Company assesses the collectability of the program development costs, considering the offering period and historical and forecasted sales of shares under the Managed REITs’ respective offering and reserves for any balances considered not collectible. No reserves were recorded as of June 30, 2014, as the Company expects to be reimbursed for all of the program development costs by the Managed REITs as additional proceeds from their respective offerings are raised. Program development costs are included in deferred costs and other assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Due From Affiliates	Due from Affiliates The Company receives or may be entitled to receive compensation and reimbursement for services primarily relating to the Managed REITs’ offerings and the investment, management, financing and disposition of their respective assets. Refer to Note 19 — Related Party Transactions and Arrangements for further explanation.
Reportable Segments	Reportable Segments The Company has concluded that it has two reportable segments as it has organized its operations into two segments for management and internal financial reporting purposes, REI and Cole Capital. The identification and aggregation of reportable segments requires the Company’s management to exercise certain judgments. Refer to Note 5 — Segment Reporting for further information.
Revenue Recognition - Private Capital Management Segment	Revenue Recognition - Cole Capital Revenue consists of securities sales commissions and dealer manager fees, real estate acquisition fees, property management fees, advisory fees, asset management fees and performance fees for services relating to the Managed REITs’ offerings and the investment and management of their respective assets, in accordance with the respective advisory and dealer manager agreements. The Company records revenue related to acquisition fees, securities sales commissions and dealer manager fees upon completion of a transaction and advisory, asset and property management fees as services are performed. The Company is also reimbursed for certain costs incurred in providing these services. Securities sales commission and dealer manager reimbursements are recorded as revenue as the expenses are incurred. Other reimbursements are recorded as revenue when reimbursements are reasonably assured.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company currently qualifies and has elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, except as discussed below, the Company generally is not subject to federal income tax on taxable income that it distributes to its stockholders so long as it distributes at least 90% of its annual taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains). REITs are subject to a number of other organizational and operational requirements. Even if the Company maintains its qualification for taxation as a REIT, it may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed income. The Company conducts substantially all of its Cole Capital business operations through a TRS. A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to corporate federal, state and local income taxes, as applicable. The Company’s use of a TRS enables it to engage in certain business activities while complying with the REIT qualification requirements and to retain any income generated by these businesses for reinvestment without the requirement to distribute those earnings. The Company conducts all of its business in the United States, and as a result, the Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions. Certain of the Company’s inter-company transactions that have been eliminated in consolidation for financial accounting purposes are also subject to taxation. The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with current authoritative accounting and tax guidance. The tax expense or benefit related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items is recognized in the quarter in which those items occur. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws, rates or tax status is recognized in the quarter in which the change occurs. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or the tax environment changes.
Repurchase Agreements	Repurchase Agreements In certain circumstances, the Company may obtain financing through a repurchase agreement. The Company evaluates the initial transfer of a financial instrument and the related repurchase agreement for sale accounting treatment. In instances where the Company maintains effective control over the transferred securities, the Company accounts for the transaction as a secured borrowing, and accordingly, both the securities and related repurchase agreement payable are recorded separately in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in investment securities, at fair value and other debt, net, respectively. In instances where the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred securities, the Company accounts for the transaction as a sale of securities for proceeds consisting of cash and a forward purchase contract.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update, 2014-08 Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”), which amends the reporting requirements for discontinued operations by updating the definition of a discontinued operation to be a component of an entity that represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, resulting in fewer disposals that qualify for discontinued operations reporting yet the pronouncement also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations. The Company adopted ASU 2014-08 effective January 1, 2014. Starting with the first quarter of 2014, the results of operations for all qualifying disposals and properties classified as held for sale that were not previously reported in discontinued operations in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 will be presented within income from continuing operations on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605),” and requires an entity to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

The consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein were prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The information furnished includes all adjustments and accruals of a normal recurring nature, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any subsequent interim period.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 of the Company, which are included on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2014 and Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 20, 2014. There have been no significant changes to these policies during the six months ended June 30, 2014, other than the updates described below.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, consolidated joint venture arrangements and its subsidiaries. The portions of the unconsolidated joint venture arrangements not owned by the Company are presented as noncontrolling interests. In addition, as described in Note 1 — Organization, certain affiliates and non-affiliated third parties have been issued OP Units. Holders of OP Units are considered to be non-controlling interest holders in the OP and their ownership interest is reflected as equity in the consolidated balance sheets. In addition, a portion of the earnings and losses of the OP are allocated to non-controlling interest holders based on their respective ownership percentages. Upon conversion of OP Units to common stock, any difference between the fair value of common shares issued and the carrying value of the OP Units converted is recorded as a component of equity. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were 24,771,215 and 9,591,173 OP Units outstanding, respectively. In addition, as discussed in Note 2 — Mergers and Acquisitions, the historical information of ARCT III and ARCT IV has been presented as if the mergers had occurred as of the beginning of the earliest period presented.

Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made to the previously issued historical financial statements of the Company to conform to this presentation. Refer to Note 4 — Acquisitions of CapLease, Cole and CCPT and Note 6 — Real Estate Investments.

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures as of June 30, 2014 consisted of the Company’s interest in six joint ventures that owned six properties (the “Unconsolidated Joint Ventures”). As of June 30, 2014, the Company owned aggregate equity investments of $98.1 million in the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures. The Company accounts for the Unconsolidated Joint Ventures using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of these investments. The equity method of accounting requires the investment to be initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s share of equity in the joint ventures’ earnings and distributions.

Investment in Managed REITs

As of June 30, 2014, the Company owned aggregate equity investments of $3.9 million in the following publicly registered, non-traded REITs: Cole Credit Property Trust IV, Inc. (“CCPT IV”); Cole Corporate Income Trust, Inc. (“CCIT”); Cole Real Estate Income Strategy (Daily NAV), Inc. (“INAV”); Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT II), Inc. (“CCIT II”); and Cole Credit Property Trust V, Inc. (“CCPT V,” and collectively with CCPT IV, CCIT, INAV and CCIT II, the “Managed REITs”). Prior to the CCPT Acquisition Date, CCPT was a Managed REIT and accounted for using the equity method. As of the CCPT Acquisition Date, the Company had an approximately $5,000 equity investment in CCPT. The Company accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the Managed REITs’ operating and financial policies through its advisory and property management agreements with the respective Managed REITs. The equity method of accounting requires the investment to be initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s share of equity in the respective Managed REIT’s earnings and distributions.

Leasehold Improvements and Property, Plant and Equipment

Leasehold Improvements and Property and Equipment

The Company leases its office facilities under operating leases. Leasehold improvements related to these are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life or remaining lease term.

Property and equipment, which primarily include office furniture, fixtures and equipment and computer hardware and software, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from five to seven years. The Company reassesses the useful lives of its property and equipment and adjusts the future monthly depreciation expense based on the new useful life, as applicable. If the Company disposes of an asset, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are written off upon disposal.

Impairments

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

The Company is required to determine whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of any of its investment in the unconsolidated entities. If an event or change in circumstance has occurred, the Company is required to evaluate its investment in the unconsolidated entity for potential impairment and determine if the carrying amount of its investment exceeds its fair value. An impairment charge is recorded when an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers whether it has the ability and intent to hold the investment until the carrying amount is fully recovered. The evaluation of an investment in an unconsolidated entity for potential impairment requires the Company’s management to exercise significant judgment and to make certain assumptions. The use of different judgments and assumptions could result in different conclusions. No impairment indicators were identified, and no impairment losses were recorded related to the Company’s unconsolidated entities for the period from the Cole Acquisition Date to June 30, 2014.

Leasehold Improvements and Property and Equipment

Leasehold improvements and property and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If this review indicates that the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable, the Company records an impairment loss, measured at fair value by estimated discounted cash flows or market appraisals. No impairments of leasehold improvements or property or equipment were identified during the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Program Development Costs

The Company pays for organization, registration and offering expenses associated with the sale of common stock of the Managed REITs. The reimbursement of these expenses by the Managed REITs is limited to a certain percentage of the proceeds raised from their offerings, in accordance with their respective advisory agreements and charters. Such expenses paid by the Company on behalf of the Managed REITs in excess of these limits that are expected to be collected are recorded as program development costs. The Company assesses the collectability of the program development costs, considering the offering period and historical and forecasted sales of shares under the Managed REITs’ respective offering and reserves for any balances considered not collectible. No reserves were recorded as of June 30, 2014, as the Company expects to be reimbursed for all of the program development costs by the Managed REITs as additional proceeds from their respective offerings are raised. Program development costs are included in deferred costs and other assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Due From Affiliates

Due from Affiliates

The Company receives or may be entitled to receive compensation and reimbursement for services primarily relating to the Managed REITs’ offerings and the investment, management, financing and disposition of their respective assets. Refer to Note 19 — Related Party Transactions and Arrangements for further explanation.

Reportable Segments

The Company has concluded that it has two reportable segments as it has organized its operations into two segments for management and internal financial reporting purposes, REI and Cole Capital. The identification and aggregation of reportable segments requires the Company’s management to exercise certain judgments. Refer to Note 5 — Segment Reporting for further information.

Revenue Recognition - Private Capital Management Segment

Revenue Recognition - Cole Capital

Revenue consists of securities sales commissions and dealer manager fees, real estate acquisition fees, property management fees, advisory fees, asset management fees and performance fees for services relating to the Managed REITs’ offerings and the investment and management of their respective assets, in accordance with the respective advisory and dealer manager agreements. The Company records revenue related to acquisition fees, securities sales commissions and dealer manager fees upon completion of a transaction and advisory, asset and property management fees as services are performed. The Company is also reimbursed for certain costs incurred in providing these services. Securities sales commission and dealer manager reimbursements are recorded as revenue as the expenses are incurred. Other reimbursements are recorded as revenue when reimbursements are reasonably assured.

Income Taxes

The Company currently qualifies and has elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, except as discussed below, the Company generally is not subject to federal income tax on taxable income that it distributes to its stockholders so long as it distributes at least 90% of its annual taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains). REITs are subject to a number of other organizational and operational requirements. Even if the Company maintains its qualification for taxation as a REIT, it may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed income.

The Company conducts substantially all of its Cole Capital business operations through a TRS. A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to corporate federal, state and local income taxes, as applicable. The Company’s use of a TRS enables it to engage in certain business activities while complying with the REIT qualification requirements and to retain any income generated by these businesses for reinvestment without the requirement to distribute those earnings. The Company conducts all of its business in the United States, and as a result, the Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions. Certain of the Company’s inter-company transactions that have been eliminated in consolidation for financial accounting purposes are also subject to taxation.

The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with current authoritative accounting and tax guidance. The tax expense or benefit related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items is recognized in the quarter in which those items occur. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws, rates or tax status is recognized in the quarter in which the change occurs. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or the tax environment changes.

Repurchase Agreements

In certain circumstances, the Company may obtain financing through a repurchase agreement. The Company evaluates the initial transfer of a financial instrument and the related repurchase agreement for sale accounting treatment. In instances where the Company maintains effective control over the transferred securities, the Company accounts for the transaction as a secured borrowing, and accordingly, both the securities and related repurchase agreement payable are recorded separately in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in investment securities, at fair value and other debt, net, respectively. In instances where the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred securities, the Company accounts for the transaction as a sale of securities for proceeds consisting of cash and a forward purchase contract.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update, 2014-08 Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”), which amends the reporting requirements for discontinued operations by updating the definition of a discontinued operation to be a component of an entity that represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, resulting in fewer disposals that qualify for discontinued operations reporting yet the pronouncement also requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations. The Company adopted ASU 2014-08 effective January 1, 2014. Starting with the first quarter of 2014, the results of operations for all qualifying disposals and properties classified as held for sale that were not previously reported in discontinued operations in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 will be presented within income from continuing operations on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605),” and requires an entity to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its financial statements.