Real Estate Investments - Consolidated Joint Ventures Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) property joint_venture	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) property joint_venture	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) property joint_venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		$ 15,587,574	$ 17,405,866
Real estate investments, net		13,252,799	15,006,124
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[1]	$ (4,961)	$ (7,139)	$ (33,727)
Number of joint ventures disposed of | property		101	228
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture			5	6
Total assets		$ 15,587,574	$ 17,405,866
Real estate investments, net		13,252,799	15,006,124
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	[2]	$ (14)	$ 1,274	$ (154)
Number of joint ventures disposed of | property			3	1
Number of properties owned by consolidated joint ventures disposed of | property			1
Number of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures | property			3
Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		619
Joint ventures [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures | joint_venture		2	2
Total assets		$ 57,000	$ 58,500
Real estate investments, net		$ 50,800	$ 55,200
Number of properties with secured mortgage note payable | property		1
Joint ventures [Member] | Mortgages [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage note payable		$ 11,600
Joint ventures [Member] | Consolidated Properties [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of properties owned | property		2	2

[1] Represents net loss attributable to limited partners and consolidated joint venture partners.

[2] Represents loss (income) attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.