XML 14 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Aug. 12, 2019
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001600626  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2019  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company true  
Entity Ex Transition Period true  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Shell Company false  
Common Class T    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   244,711
Common Class S    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   286
Common Class D    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   20,683
Common Class I    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   840,357
Common Class A    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   25,082,952
Common Class AA    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   48,489,975
Common Class AAA    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   964,011
Common Class E    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   169,346,951