Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Intangible Lease Assets Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 4,100	$ 7,500
Intangible assets	$ 20,464		$ 24,609
Cole REITs [Member] | Management And Advisory Contracts [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Estimated amortization expense for remainder of 2017	$ 12,400
Estimated amortization expense for 2018	4,000
Estimated amortization expense for nine months ended 30th September 2019	3,800
Intangible assets	20,500		24,600
Accumulated amortization	$ 33,700		$ 29,600