Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Shareholders' Equity

Reconciliation of changes in shareholders equity

	Shareholders’			Shareholders’
	Equity			Equity
	Attributable to			Attributable to			Total
	CommonWealth			Noncontrolling			Shareholders’
	REIT			Interest			Equity
Balances at December 31, 2012	$	3,105,428		$	396,040		$	3,501,468
Net (loss) income	(171,759		)	20,093			(151,666		)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments	4,011			—			4,011
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(31,393		)	—			(31,393		)
Equity in unrealized loss of an investee	(113		)	(36		)	(149		)
Total comprehensive (loss) income	(199,254		)	20,057			(179,197		)
Issuance of common shares, net	626,851			(42		)	626,809
Share grants	1,567			252			1,819
Distributions	(113,559		)	(14,863		)	(128,422		)
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	—			(401,444		)	(401,444		)
Balances at September 30, 2013	$	3,421,033		$	—		$	3,421,033