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Other Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity method investments $ 338,930,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments $ 197,307,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments  
Earnings (loss) from equity method investments 94,905,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 41,520,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments 103,009,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses (1,714,000)us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed [1] 5,489,000us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed [1] 81,740,000us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed [1]
Net proceeds from sales of real estate 419,527,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate 437,817,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate 562,705,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
Madison International Real Estate Fund IILP      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 29.50%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MadisonInternationalRealEstateFundIilpMember		    
MIRELF III      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 32.90%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MadisonInternationalLiquidityFundIIIandSubsidiariesMember		    
MIRELF III AIV      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 32.90%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MIRELFIIIAIVLPandSubsidiariesMember		    
Madison GP1 Investors LP      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 29.50%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MadisonGp1InvestorsLpMember		    
Oak Hill Funds Group 2      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 5.90%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_OakHillFundsGroup2Member		    
Net Lease Asset One      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Net proceeds from sales of real estate 7,800,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetOneMember		    
Net Lease Asset One | iStar Net Lease I LLC [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Net proceeds from sales of real estate 93,700,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetOneMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Land      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Number of properties acquired 1star_NumberofPropertiesAcquired
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember		    
Land | Real Estate Equity Investment Five      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage   75.60%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentFiveMember		  
Equity method investments 21,100,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentFiveMember		 18,000,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentFiveMember		  
Land | Real Estate Equity Investment Six      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage   50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentSixMember		  
Equity method investments 7,800,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentSixMember		 3,500,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentSixMember		  
Land | Real Estate Equity Investment Two      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 85.70%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentTwoMember		 50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentTwoMember		  
Equity method investments 9,400,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentTwoMember		    
Loans receivable, commitments, related party 45,700,000star_LoansReceivableCommitmentsRelatedParty
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentTwoMember		    
Land | Real Estate Equity Investment Four      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 15.70%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentFourMember		    
Equity method investments 23,500,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentFourMember		    
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses 2,800,000us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentFourMember		    
Land | Other real estate equity investments      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity method investments 13,800,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_OtherRealEstateEquityInvestmentsMember		 2,700,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_OtherRealEstateEquityInvestmentsMember		  
Land | Marina Palms, LLC [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage   47.50%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		  
Equity method investments 30,700,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		 5,500,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		  
Earnings (loss) from equity method investments 14,700,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		    
Net proceeds from sales of real estate   21,400,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		  
Equity method investment, carryover basis   10,600,000star_EquityMethodInvestmentCarryoverBasis
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		  
Equity method investment, preferred interest 10,000,000star_EquityMethodInvestmentPreferredInterest
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		 6,600,000star_EquityMethodInvestmentPreferredInterest
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_MarinaPalmsLLCMember		  
Net Lease | Real Estate Equity Investment Three      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentThreeMember		    
Equity method investments 200,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentThreeMember		 16,400,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentThreeMember		  
Proceeds from real estate and real estate joint ventures 48,100,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRealEstateAndRealEstateJointVentures
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentThreeMember		    
Earnings (loss) from equity method investments 33,300,000us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentThreeMember		    
Net Lease | iStar Net Lease I LLC [Member]      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 51.90%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Partners' capital account, contributions 500,000,000star_PartnersCapitalCommitment
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Equity method investment, related party ownership percentage 0.60%star_EquityMethodInvestmentRelatedPartyOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Equity method investment, related party promote fee percentage 50.00%star_EquityMethodInvestmentRelatedPartyPromoteFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Equity method investment, partner ownership percentage 47.50%star_EquityMethodInvestmentPartnerOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Net proceeds from sales of real estate 10,100,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent 72.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Transfer mortgage payable 26,000,000us-gaap_TransferMortgagePayable
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Number of properties acquired 58star_NumberofPropertiesAcquired
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Acquisitions of real estate assets 200,000,000star_PaymentstoAcquireRealEstatebyEquityMethodInvestee
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Total assets 348,100,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Equity method investments 125,400,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_NetLeaseAssetMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_IStarNetLeaseILLCMember		    
Operating Properties | Other real estate equity investments      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity method investments 13,200,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_OperatingPropertiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_OtherRealEstateEquityInvestmentsMember		 16,000,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= star_OperatingPropertiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_OtherRealEstateEquityInvestmentsMember		  
Minimum | Other real estate equity investments      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 31.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_OtherRealEstateEquityInvestmentsMember		    
Maximum | Other real estate equity investments      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
iStar's ownership percentage 70.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_OtherRealEstateEquityInvestmentsMember		    
Loans Receivable and Other Lending Investments, Net | Land | Real Estate Equity Investment Two      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Payments for funding under loan commitments $ 14,600,000star_LoansReceivableRelatedParty
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= star_LoansReceivableandOtherLendingInvestmentsNetMember
/ us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis
= us-gaap_LandMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= star_RealEstateEquityInvestmentTwoMember		    
[1] For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the provision for loan losses includes recoveries of previously recorded loan loss reserves of $10.1 million, $63.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively.