Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating activities:
Net income		$ 374,479	$ 1,038,852	$ 1,330,410
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,037,566	1,038,437	1,027,073
Other amortization expenses		19,148	13,213	16,827
Provision for loan losses, net		7,270	94,436	18,690
Impairment of assets		51,107	135,608	28,133
Stock-based compensation expense		17,812	28,318	25,047
Loss (gain) on derivatives and financial instruments, net		(7,333)	11,049	(4,399)
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net		49,874	47,049	84,155
Loss (income) from unconsolidated entities		22,933	8,083	(42,434)
Rental income less than (in excess of) cash received		(30,820)	60,254	(106,331)
Amortization related to above (below) market leases, net		(3,536)	(1,870)	(676)
Loss (gain) on real estate dispositions, net		(235,375)	(1,088,455)	(748,041)
Distributions by unconsolidated entities		16,763	11,601	0
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities		77,554	22,764	(29,068)
Decrease (increase) in receivables and other assets		(122,117)	(54,583)	(63,418)
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities		1,275,325	1,364,756	1,535,968
Investing activities:
Cash disbursed for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(4,084,174)	(903,756)	(3,959,683)
Cash disbursed for capital improvements to existing properties		(282,588)	(244,989)	(328,824)
Cash disbursed for construction in progress		(417,963)	(201,336)	(323,488)
Capitalized interest		(19,352)	(17,472)	(15,272)
Investment in loans receivable		(997,449)	(247,543)	(119,699)
Principal collected on loans receivable		343,260	31,548	127,706
Other investments, net of payments		(26,595)	7,726	(8,282)
Contributions to unconsolidated entities		(396,020)	(411,154)	(279,631)
Distributions by unconsolidated entities		286,772	48,195	216,231
Proceeds from (payments on) derivatives		7,519
Proceeds from (payments on) derivatives			(13,319)	(8,499)
Proceeds from sales of real property		1,070,322	4,300,028	2,650,650
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities		(4,516,268)	2,347,928	(2,048,791)
Financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) under unsecured credit facility and commercial paper		324,935		440,597
Net increase (decrease) under unsecured credit facility and commercial paper			(1,587,597)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes		1,703,626	1,588,549	3,974,559
Payments to extinguish senior unsecured notes		(1,533,752)	(566,248)	(3,335,290)
Net proceeds from the issuance of secured debt		23,569	62,055	343,696
Payments on secured debt		(197,618)	(694,995)	(284,433)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock		2,348,201	595,313	1,056,125
Repurchase of common stock		0	(7,656)	0
Payments for deferred financing costs and prepayment penalties		(73,735)	(39,087)	(84,142)
Contributions by noncontrolling interests	[1]	156,318	44,023	55,365
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	[1]	(138,756)	(333,489)	(172,940)
Cash distributions to stockholders		(1,035,906)	(1,119,232)	(1,400,712)
Other financing activities		(9,218)	(22,494)	(15,675)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities		1,567,664	(2,080,858)	577,150
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(1,009)	3,451	5,310
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(1,674,288)	1,635,277	69,637
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		2,021,043	385,766	316,129
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		346,755	2,021,043	385,766
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid		492,742	508,454	574,536
Income taxes paid (received)		$ (4,812)	$ 13,671	$ 14,338

[1] Includes amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.