CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate investments:
Land and improvements	$ 1,855,968	$ 1,772,417
Buildings and improvements	18,457,028	16,920,821
Construction in progress	80,415	70,665
Acquired lease intangibles	1,010,181	981,704
Gross real estate investment	21,403,592	19,745,607
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,328,006)	(2,634,075)
Net real estate property	18,075,586	17,111,532
Secured loans receivable and investments, net	376,229	635,002
Investments in unconsolidated entities	91,656	95,409
Net real estate investments	18,543,471	17,841,943
Cash and cash equivalents	94,816	67,908
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	84,657	105,913
Deferred financing costs, net	62,215	42,551
Other assets	946,335	921,685
Total assets	19,731,494	18,980,000
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	9,364,992	8,413,646
Accrued interest	54,349	47,565
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,001,515	995,156
Deferred income taxes	250,167	259,715
Total liabilities	10,671,023	9,716,082
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	156,660	174,555
Commitments and contingencies
Ventas stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, unissued	0	0
Common stock, $0.25 par value; 600,000 shares authorized, 297,901 and 295,565 shares issued at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	74,488	73,904
Capital in excess of par value	10,078,592	9,920,962
Accumulated other comprehensive income	19,659	23,354
Retained earnings (deficit)	(1,126,541)	(777,927)
Treasury stock, 3,712 and 3,699 shares at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	(221,917)	(221,165)
Total Ventas stockholders’ equity	8,824,281	9,019,128
Noncontrolling interest	79,530	70,235
Total equity	8,903,811	9,089,363
Total liabilities and equity	$ 19,731,494	$ 18,980,000