Represents number of unconsolidated joint ventures between entity and an institutional capital partner.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_NumberOfUnconsolidatedJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Equity Method Investments (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2015
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 571,491,000	$ 605,244,000
SHOP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item	2
CCRC JV \| SHOP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 439,449,000	465,179,000
Investment ownership percentage	49.00%
MBK JV \| SHOP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 38,909,000	34,131,000
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%
MBK JV \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage			50.00%
MBK Development JV \| SHOP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 2,463,000	2,224,000
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%
HCP Ventures III, LLC \| Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 1,533,000	9,241,000
Investment ownership percentage	30.00%
HCP Ventures IV, LLC \| Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 7,277,000	11,884,000
Investment ownership percentage	20.00%
HCP Life Science \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 67,879,000	68,582,000
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item	3
HCP Life Science \| Life science \| Minimum
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%
Torrey Pines Science Center, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%
Britannia Biotech Gateway, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	55.00%
LASDK, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	63.00%
Vintage Park Development JV \| SHOP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 7,486,000	8,729,000
Investment ownership percentage	85.00%
Suburban Properties, LLC \| Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 4,628,000	4,621,000
Investment ownership percentage	67.00%
K&Y \| Other
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 1,342,000
Investment ownership percentage	80.00%
Advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 525,000	$ 653,000