Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating activities:
Net income		$ 1,330,410	$ 829,750	$ 540,613
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,027,073	950,459	921,720
Other amortization expenses		16,827	17,000	16,521
Provision for loan losses		18,690	0	62,966
Impairment of assets		28,133	115,579	124,483
Stock-based compensation expense		25,047	27,646	19,102
Loss (gain) on derivatives and financial instruments, net		(4,399)	(4,016)	2,284
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net		84,155	16,097	37,241
Loss (income) from unconsolidated entities		(42,434)	641	83,125
Rental income in excess of cash received		(106,331)	(32,857)	(80,398)
Amortization related to above (below) market leases, net		(676)	2,608	357
Loss (gain) on real estate dispositions, net		(748,041)	(415,575)	(344,250)
Distributions by unconsolidated entities		0	21	116
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities		(29,068)	70,762	26,811
Decrease (increase) in receivables and other assets		(63,418)	5,829	23,486
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities		1,535,968	1,583,944	1,434,177
Investing activities:
Cash disbursed for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(3,959,683)	(3,560,360)	(805,264)
Cash disbursed for capital improvements to existing properties		(328,824)	(266,183)	(250,276)
Cash disbursed for construction in progress		(323,488)	(160,706)	(232,715)
Capitalized interest		(15,272)	(7,905)	(13,489)
Investment in loans receivable		(119,699)	(112,048)	(101,216)
Principal collected on loans receivable		127,706	203,935	214,980
Other investments, net of payments		(8,282)	(44,535)	(44,094)
Contributions to unconsolidated entities		(279,631)	(136,854)	(114,365)
Distributions by unconsolidated entities		216,231	90,916	70,287
Proceeds from (payments on) derivatives		8,499
Proceeds from (payments on) derivatives			65,399	52,719
Proceeds from sales of real property		2,650,650	1,541,870	1,378,014
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities		(2,048,791)	(2,386,471)	154,581
Financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) under unsecured credit facility and commercial paper		440,597	428,000	74,000
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes		3,974,559	2,824,176	7,500
Payments to extinguish senior unsecured notes		(3,335,290)	(1,450,000)	(5,000)
Net proceeds from the issuance of secured debt		343,696	45,447	241,772
Payments on secured debt		(284,433)	(362,841)	(1,144,346)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock		1,056,125	789,575	621,987
Redemption of preferred stock		0	0	(287,500)
Payments for deferred financing costs and prepayment penalties		(84,142)	(29,691)	(54,333)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests	[1]	55,365	39,207	56,560
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	[1]	(172,940)	(109,871)	(87,711)
Cash distributions to stockholders		(1,400,712)	(1,348,863)	(1,325,617)
Other financing activities		(15,675)	(6,771)	(10,839)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities		577,150	818,368	(1,913,527)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		5,310	(9,015)	26,852
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		69,637	6,826	(297,917)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		316,129	309,303	607,220
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		385,766	316,129	309,303
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid		574,536	501,404	488,265
Income taxes paid		$ 14,338	$ 2,250	$ 10,410

[1] Includes amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.