| In millions, except per share items | Dec-31-15 | Dec-31-14 | Dec-31-13 | Dec-31-12 | Dec-31-11 | Dec-31-10 | Dec-31-09 | Dec-31-08 |
| | 10-K | 10-K | 10-K | 10-K | 10-K | 10-K | 10-K | 10-K/A |
| Property and other revenues | | | | | | | | |
| Rental and escalation income | 2,040.7 | 985.8 | 553.6 | 500.4 | 470.7 | 376.1 | 186.9 | 408.3 |
| Rental and escalation income growth | 107.0% | 78.1% | 10.6% | 6.3% | 25.1% | 101.2% | -54.2% | -24.3% |
| Total property and other revenues | 1,817.4 | 679.5 | 240.8 | 114.3 | 122.5 | 270.9 | 128.5 | 16.5 |
| |
| Net interest income | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | 227.5 | 310.1 | 304.0 | 386.1 | 401.2 | 321.3 | 142.2 | 212.4 |
| Interest expense on debt and securities | 8.7 | 12.0 | 37.6 | 50.6 | 45.3 | 78.6 | 116.1 | |
| |
| Expenses | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense—mortgage and corporate borrowings | 8.7 | 12.0 | 37.6 | 50.6 | 45.3 | 78.6 | 116.1 | |
| Provision for (reversal of) loan losses, net | 4.2 | 3.8 | -8.8 | | 53.0 | 168.4 | 83.7 | 11.2 |
| |
| General and administrative expenses | | | | | | | | |
| Other general and administrative expenses | 16.7 | 12.4 | 16.2 | 14.5 | 24.9 | 28.2 | 13.0 | |
| Total general and administrative expenses | 58.1 | 59.4 | 54.4 | 52.4 | 91.1 | 82.7 | 69.4 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 456.9 | 184.7 | 93.5 | 47.5 | 42.9 | 31.5 | 39.1 | |
| Total expenses | 2,210.0 | 1,062.3 | 370.8 | 240.1 | 328.6 | 412.7 | 327.2 | |
| |
| Other income (loss) | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other | | | | | | | | |
| Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures | -219.1 | -165.1 | -91.7 | -0.1 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 1.5 | |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | -14.3 | -16.6 | -7.2 | | 412.1 | 376.6 | -84.3 | |
| Net income (loss) | -267.3 | -321.1 | -87.9 | -273.1 | -502.4 | -780.8 | -290.1 | |
| Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests | 24.0 | 22.9 | 6.0 | 11.5 | 5.6 | 15.0 | 6.3 | |
| Preferred stock dividends | -84.2 | -73.3 | -55.5 | -27.0 | -20.9 | -20.9 | -20.9 | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. common stockholders | -327.5 | -371.5 | -137.5 | -288.6 | -263.0 | -395.5 | -151.2 | 702.3 |
| |
| Earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
| Income (loss) per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| |
| Basic (in dollars per share) | ($1.87) | ($3.79) | ($2.60) | ($4.61) | ($2.94) | ($5.17) | ($2.16) | |
| Diluted (in dollars per share) | ($1.87) | ($3.79) | ($2.60) | ($4.61) | ($2.94) | ($5.17) | ($2.16) | |
| |
| Weighted average number of shares: | | | | | | | | |
| Basic (in shares) | 174.9 | 98.0 | 53.0 | 62.6 | 89.3 | 76.6 | 69.9 | |
| Diluted (in shares) | 176.3 | 99.0 | 55.2 | 65.6 | 93.6 | 82.8 | 77.2 | |
| |
| Equity-based compensation expense | 27.7 | 24.9 | 11.8 | 8.6 | 11.7 | | | |