Net investments in Properties and Real Estate Under Construction - Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information    
Pro forma total revenues $ 442,972 $ 437,295
Pro forma net income 184,487 165,489
Pro forma net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (38,863) (39,915)
Pro forma net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global $ 145,624 $ 125,574
Pro forma basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (shares) 342,147,444 334,468,362
Pro-forma basic and diluted income per share (usd per share) $ 0.43 $ 0.38