The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow from the acquisition of a piece of land, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it and so forth; includes real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes real estate acquired for use by the owner.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-13

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7A
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-7A

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 210
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478546/942-210-S99-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16)(a)(2))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478777/944-210-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuredDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis=wpc_NonRecourseMortgageLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis=wpc_RealEstateSubjectToOperatingLeaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=wpc_AcquiredPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_DoncasterUnitedKingdomMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_VariousPropertiesInItalyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_LavalCanadaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_CommercialPointOhioMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_TusconArizonaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_VariousUnitedStates1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_VariousUnitedStates2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_SylacaugaAlabamaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_MoxeeWashingtonAndLaPorteIndianaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wpc_MesaAndLaveenArizonaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Land, Buildings and Improvements, and Assets Held for Sale - Acquisition of Real Estate (Details) $ in Thousands									6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2024 USD ($) property	Jun. 03, 2024 USD ($) property	May 15, 2024 USD ($) property	May 13, 2024 USD ($) property	Apr. 05, 2024 USD ($) property	Mar. 26, 2024 USD ($) property	Jan. 30, 2024 USD ($) property	Jan. 09, 2024 USD ($) property	Jun. 30, 2024 USD ($) property	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Total Capitalized Costs									$ 448,088	$ 895,034
Secured debt									(467,200)		$ (579,147)
Non-Recourse Mortgage Loan
Property, Plant and Equipment
Secured debt									$ (21,900)
Operating Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property									24
Total Capitalized Costs									$ 451,358
Operating Lease \| Acquired Properties
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property									12
Total Capitalized Costs									$ 110,601
Doncaster United Kingdom \| Operating Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property								2
Total Capitalized Costs								$ 30,055
Various Italy \| Operating Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property							5
Total Capitalized Costs							$ 148,130
Laval Canada \| Operating Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property						1
Total Capitalized Costs						$ 2,604
Commercial Point, Ohio \| Operating Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property					1
Total Capitalized Costs					$ 94,220
Tucson, Arizona \| Operating Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property				1
Total Capitalized Costs				$ 38,784
Various, United States \| Operating Lease \| Acquired Properties
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property			5
Total Capitalized Costs			$ 44,400
Various, United States \| Operating Lease \| Acquired Properties
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property			4
Total Capitalized Costs			$ 23,330
Sylacauga, Alabama \| Operating Lease \| Acquired Properties
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property			1
Total Capitalized Costs			$ 5,852
Moxee, Washington and La Porte, Indiana \| Operating Lease \| Acquired Properties
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property	2
Total Capitalized Costs	$ 37,019
Mesa and Laveen, Arizona \| Operating Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment
Number of real estate properties (property) \| property		2
Total Capitalized Costs		$ 26,964