CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$ (156,967)	$ (79,845)	$ 109,984
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	178,353	188,123	166,444
Net amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing fees	81	3,405	6,943
Straight line rental income	(31,229)	(38,812)	(31,474)
Amortization of acquired real estate leases	59,274	60,176	48,441
Other amortization	18,850	19,955	16,744
Loss on asset impairment	227,122	168,632	10,355
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	61,063	1,895	35
Equity in earnings of investees	(25,754)	(11,420)	(11,377)
Gain on issuance of shares by an equity investee		(7,246)	(11,177)
Gain on sale of equity investment	(66,293)
Distributions of earnings from investees	23,911	10,835	11,238
Net loss (gain) on sale of properties	20,566	(2,039)	(42,752)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	(1,832)	(6,216)	(2,787)
Rents receivable and other assets	(57,039)	(38,801)	(31,362)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(14,333)	6,034	12,589
Rent collected in advance	125	(1,104)	8,479
Security deposits	611	1,548	1,933
Due to related persons	(1,858)	1,663	1,076
Cash provided by operating activities	234,651	276,783	263,332
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Real estate acquisitions	(154,370)	(631,279)	(768,060)
Real estate improvements	(114,451)	(131,300)	(100,339)
Investment in direct financing lease, net			(38,635)
Principal payments received from direct financing lease	6,970	6,645	5,256
Principal payments received from real estate mortgages receivable	1,000		8,183
Proceeds from sale of properties, net	224,976	9,643	264,284
Proceeds from sale of equity investment, net	239,576
Distributions in excess of earnings from investees	168	5,981	5,379
Investment in Affiliates Insurance Company		(5,335)
Increase in restricted cash	(3,685)	(2,541)
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(12,286)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	187,898	(748,186)	(623,932)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net	626,809	363,657	264,056
Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares, net			265,391
Redemption of preferred shares		(150,000)
Repurchase and retirement of outstanding debt securities	(728,021)
Proceeds from borrowings	1,036,000	1,702,500	1,007,000
Payments on borrowings	(1,065,432)	(1,312,982)	(975,030)
Deferred financing fees	(1,204)	(15,117)	(7,131)
Distributions to common shareholders	(109,702)	(146,539)	(150,074)
Distributions to preferred shareholders	(44,604)	(52,710)	(44,405)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary	(14,863)	(8,386)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(301,017)	380,423	359,807
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,302)	436	(484)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	120,230	(90,544)	(1,277)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	102,219	192,763	194,040
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	222,449	102,219	192,763
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid	192,010	204,772	186,774
Taxes paid	1,303	779	966
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Real estate acquisitions		(370,139)	(321,235)
Investment in real estate mortgages receivable	(7,688)	(1,419)
Net assets transferred to Select Income REIT	492,736
NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common shares	1,537	1,124	1,039
Assumption of mortgage notes payable		359,213	321,235
Liabilities assumed		10,926
Assumption of note payable			$ 4,059