Related Party Transactions and Arrangements - Litigation, Merger and Other Non-Routine Costs, Net of Insurance Recoveries (Details) - Affiliated Entity [Member] $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Total Merger and Other Non-Routine Transaction Related Costs [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	$ 137,778
Total Merger and Other Non-Routine Transaction Related Costs [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	94,213
Total Merger and Other Non-Routine Transaction Related Costs [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	20,000
Total Merger and Other Non-Routine Transaction Related Costs [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	21,815
Total Merger and Other Non-Routine Transaction Related Costs [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	1,750
Strategic advisory services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	27,265
Strategic advisory services [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	8,400
Strategic advisory services [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Strategic advisory services [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	17,115
Strategic advisory services [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	1,750
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	72
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	72
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Post-transaction support services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	11,352
Post-transaction support services [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	1,352
Post-transaction support services [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	10,000
Post-transaction support services [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Post-transaction support services [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Subordinated distribution fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	78,244
Subordinated distribution fees [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	78,244
Subordinated distribution fees [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Subordinated distribution fees [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Subordinated distribution fees [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	15,800
Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	5,800
Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	10,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	2,145
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	417
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	1,728
Personnel costs and other reimbursements [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Other fees and expenses [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	2,900
Other fees and expenses [Member] | ARCT IV Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Other fees and expenses [Member] | Internalization And Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	0
Other fees and expenses [Member] | Cole Merger [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	2,900
Other fees and expenses [Member] | Multiple-tenant Spin Off [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party expenses	$ 0