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Co-investments - Summary of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 1,045,059 | $ 1,161,275
Total operating co investments [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | 693,633 | 781,905
Membership Interest In CPPIB [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 461,872 | 422,068
Membership Interest In CPPIB [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 50.00% |
Membership Interest In CPPIB [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 55.00% |
Membership interest in Wesco I, III, and IV [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 180,005 | 180,687
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 50.00% |
Membership Interest In Palm Valley [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 0 | 68,396
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 50.00% |
Membership interest in BEXAEW [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 46,728 | 47,963
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 50.00% |
BEX II [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ (36,025) | 19,078
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 50.00% |
Membership In Other [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 41,053 | 43,713
Membership In Other [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 50.00% |
Membership In Other [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 55.00% |
Total development co investments [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 126,119 | 157,317
Total development co investments [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 50.00% |
Total development co investments [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Limited partnership interest in partnership investments (as a percent) | 55.00% |
Total preferred interest investments [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 225,307 | 222,053
Total preferred interest investments [Member] | Investments in Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member] |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |
Co-investments | $ 20,700 | $ 35,900

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