Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Shareholders' Equity

Reconciliation of changes in shareholders equity

	Shareholders’			Shareholders’
	Equity			Equity
	Attributable to			Attributable to		Total
	CommonWealth			Noncontrolling		Shareholders’
	REIT			Interest		Equity
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	3,568,517		$	—	$	3,568,517
Net income	23,680			894		24,574
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on derivative instrument	(37		)	—		(37		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,528			—		4,528
Decrease in share of investees other comprehensive loss	(1		)	—		(1		)
Total comprehensive income	28,170			894		29,064
Issuance of shares of subsidiary, net	(23,758		)	204,712		180,954
Distributions	(55,505		)	—		(55,505		)
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	3,517,424		$	205,606	$	3,723,030