XML 71 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.21.1
Cover Page - shares
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
May 05, 2021
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2021  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 000-55605  
Entity Registrant Name Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code MD  
Entity Tax Identification Number 46-4654479  
Entity Address, Address Line One 1520 E. Grand Ave  
Entity Address, City or Town El Segundo  
Entity Address, State or Province CA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 90245  
City Area Code 310  
Local Phone Number 469-6100  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Central Index Key 0001600626  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Common Class T    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   562,050
Common Class S    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,800
Common Class D    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   41,600
Common Class I    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,905,375
Common Class A    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   24,484,216
Common Class AA    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   47,566,378
Common Class AAA    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   922,838
Common Class E    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   248,951,930