INDUS Realty Trust (INDT) 10-K 13 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Feb. 06, 2015	31-May-13
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	1037390
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	30-Nov-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$73,673,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,149,574
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Real estate assets at cost, net of accumulated depreciation	$134,522	$131,190
Real estate held for sale	9,943	1,104
Cash and cash equivalents	17,059	14,179
Deferred income taxes	5,996	5,975
Available for sale securities - Investment in Centaur Media plc	1,924	2,208
Note receivable	1,451
Proceeds held in escrow	1,000
Proceeds held in escrow		8,860
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	230	1,950
Other assets	14,216	13,634
Assets of discontinued operation	36	5,627
Total assets	186,377	184,727
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Mortgage loans	70,168	66,708
Deferred Revenue	8,349	8,467
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,505	2,479
Dividend payable	1,030	1,029
Other Liabilities	7,438	7,161
Liabilities of discontinued operation	8	768
Total liabilities	90,498	86,612
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 5,537,895 and 5,534,687 shares issued, respectively, and 5,149,574 and 5,146,366 shares outstanding, respectively	55	55
Additional paid-in capital	107,887	107,603
Retained earnings	2,238	4,372
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-835	-449
Treasury stock, at cost, 388,321 shares	-13,466	-13,466
Total stockholders' equity	95,879	98,115
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$186,377	$184,727

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	5,537,895	5,534,687
Common stock, shares outstanding	5,149,574	5,146,366
Treasury stock, shares	388,321	388,321

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Rental revenue	$20,552	$20,053	$18,456
Revenue from property sales	3,667	5,473	5,759
Total revenue	24,219	25,526	24,215
Operating expenses of rental properties	7,801	7,456	6,694
Depreciation and amortization expense	6,729	6,673	6,303
Costs related to property sales	803	1,171	989
General and administrative expenses	7,077	7,790	6,843
Total expenses	22,410	23,090	20,829
Operating income	1,809	2,436	3,386
Gain on sale of investment in Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp.		3,397
Gain on sale of common stock in Centaur Media plc	318	1,088
Interest expense	-3,529	-3,848	-3,533
Loss on debt extinguishment	-51	-286
Investment income	301	115	613
(Loss) income before income tax benefit ( provision)	-1,152	2,902	466
Income tax benefit (provision)	-96	-992	-270
(Loss) Income from continuing operations	-1,248	1,910	196
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Income (loss) from landscape nursery business, net of tax, including loss on sale of assets of $28, net of tax, in fiscal 2014	144	-7,731	-877
Income from warehouse building, net of tax			117
Gain on sale of warehouse building, net of tax			1,530
Total income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	144	-7,731	770
Net (loss) income	($1,104)	($5,821)	$966
Basic net (loss) income per common share:
(Loss) Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	($0.24)	$0.37	$0.04
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$0.03	($1.50)	$0.15
Basic net (loss) income per common share (in dollars per share)	($0.21)	($1.13)	$0.19
Diluted net (loss) income per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	($0.24)	$0.37	$0.04
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0.03	($1.50)	$0.15
Diluted net (loss) income per common share (in dollars per share)	($0.21)	($1.13)	$0.19

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) from sale of assets net of tax	$28

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net (loss) income	($1,104)	($5,821)	$966
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Increase in fair value of Centaur Media plc	185	310	794
Reclassifications included in net (loss) income	124	-206	420
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges	-695	100	-909
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost for other postretirement benefits		68	-48
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-386	272	257
Total comprehensive (loss) income	($1,490)	($5,549)	$1,223

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock	Total
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 03, 2011	$55	$106,370	$11,284	($978)	($13,426)	$103,305
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 03, 2011	5,521,170
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of employee stock options, net of reversal of tax benefit on exercised stock options of $4 in 2014 and forfeited stock options of $38 in 2012		82			-40	42
Exercise of employee stock options, net of reversal of tax benefit on forfeited stock options (in shares)	6,741
Stock-based compensation		604				604
Dividends declared $0.20, $0.20 and $0.20 per share for the year ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively			-1,028			-1,028
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax				257		257
Net (loss) income			966			966
Balance at Dec. 01, 2012	55	107,056	11,222	-721	-13,466	104,146
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 01, 2012	5,527,911
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of employee stock options, net of reversal of tax benefit on exercised stock options of $4 in 2014 and forfeited stock options of $38 in 2012		80				80
Exercise of employee stock options, net of reversal of tax benefit on forfeited stock options (in shares)	6,776
Stock-based compensation		467				467
Dividends declared $0.20, $0.20 and $0.20 per share for the year ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively			-1,029			-1,029
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax				272		272
Net (loss) income			-5,821			-5,821
Balance at Nov. 30, 2013	55	107,603	4,372	-449	-13,466	98,115
Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2013	5,534,687
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of employee stock options, net of reversal of tax benefit on exercised stock options of $4 in 2014 and forfeited stock options of $38 in 2012		76				76
Exercise of employee stock options, net of reversal of tax benefit on forfeited stock options (in shares)	3,208
Stock-based compensation		208				208
Dividends declared $0.20, $0.20 and $0.20 per share for the year ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively			-1,030			-1,030
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax				-386		-386
Net (loss) income			-1,104			-1,104
Balance at Nov. 30, 2014	$55	$107,887	$2,238	($835)	($13,466)	$95,879
Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2014	5,537,895

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Dec. 01, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
Dividends declared, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.20
Exercise of employee stock options, reversal of tax benefit on exercised stock options in 2014 and forfeited stock options in 2012	$4	$38

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	($1,104)	($5,821)	$966
(Income) loss from discontinued operation	-144	7,731	-770
(Loss) Income from continuing operations	-1,248	1,910	196
Adjustments to reconcile (loss) income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization expense	6,729	6,673	6,303
Gain on sales of properties	-2,864	-4,302	-7,656
Gain on sales of common stock in Centaur Media plc	-318	-1,088
Stock-based compensation expense	338	415	545
Amortization of debt issuance costs	259	270	298
Accretion of discount on note receivable	-165
Deferred income taxes	123	997	125
Loss on debt extinguishment	51	286
Gain on sale of investment in Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp.		-3,397
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other assets	-1,724	-1,073	100
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-276	-41	138
Deferred revenue	2,987	-234	-67
Other liabilities	329	816	271
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	4,221	1,232	253
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operation	39	-1,786	1,692
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	4,260	-554	1,945
Investing activities:
Additions to real estate assets	-15,583	-13,538	-13,548
Proceeds from property sales returned from (deposited in) escrow, net	8,864	-2,797	-6,934
Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable	2,750
Proceeds from sales of common stock in Centaur Media plc	566	2,487
Proceeds from sales of properties, net of expenses	554	9,366	23,376
Proceeds from sale of business, net of expenses	169
Additions to property and equipment	-78	-113	-188
Proceeds from the sale of investment in Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp.		3,418
Return of capital from Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp.			309
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-2,758	-1,177	3,015
Financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	5,477	9,100
Payments of debt	-2,017	-1,916	-1,674
Dividends paid to stockholders	-1,029	-1,028	-513
Refinancing proceeds held in escrow	-1,000
Debt issuance and modification costs	-133	-507	-103
Exercise of stock options	80	80	80
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,378	5,729	-2,210
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,880	3,998	2,750
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	14,179	10,181	7,431
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$17,059	$14,179	$10,181

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. ("Griffin") reflect Griffin's real estate business, which is conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary, Griffin Land, LLC ("Griffin Land") and Griffin's landscape nursery business, conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. ("Imperial") which is reported as a discontinued operation (see below). Griffin Land is principally in the business of developing, managing and leasing industrial and commercial properties. Periodically, Griffin Land may sell certain portions of its undeveloped land that it has owned for an extended time period and the use of which is not consistent with Griffin Land's core development and leasing strategy.
	Imperial was engaged in growing landscape nursery plants in containers for sale to independent retail garden centers and rewholesalers, whose main customers are landscape contractors. Imperial's operations are reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as a discontinued operation due to the sale, effective January 8, 2014, of its inventory and certain of its assets (the "Imperial Sale") to Monrovia Connecticut LLC ("Monrovia"), a subsidiary of Monrovia Nursery Company (see Note 2). Concurrent with the Imperial Sale, a subsidiary of Griffin and Imperial entered into a long-term lease with Monrovia for Imperial's Connecticut production nursery. As the growing operations of Imperial are reflected as a discontinued operation in Griffin's consolidated financial statements, Griffin's continuing operations presented in the accompanying financial statements solely reflect its real estate business and, therefore, industry segment information is not presented. Accordingly, certain prior period amounts in Griffin's consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation which better reflects Griffin's real estate business, including presentation of an unclassified balance sheet consistent with real estate industry practice. Certain parts of Imperial's prior year results, such as rental revenue and expense related to the leasing of Imperial's Florida farm to another grower and certain expenses related to the property and equipment of Imperial's Connecticut farm, which continues to be owned by Griffin and leased to Monrovia, are included in Griffin's continuing operations. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	Fiscal Year
	Through the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 ("fiscal 2013"), Griffin reported on a 52-53 week fiscal year that ended on the Saturday nearest November 30 and included four quarters of 13 weeks each. Starting in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014 ("fiscal 2014"), Griffin is reporting on a twelve month fiscal year that ends on November 30.
	Real Estate Assets
	Real estate assets are recorded at cost, except when real estate assets are acquired that meet the definition of a business combination in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC 805-10, "Business Combinations," and are recorded at fair value. Interest, property taxes, insurance and other costs directly related to a project are capitalized during the construction period of major facilities and land improvements. The capitalized costs are recorded as part of the asset to which they relate and are amortized over the asset's useful life. Depreciation is determined on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful asset lives for financial reporting purposes and principally on accelerated methods for tax purposes. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
	Griffin classifies a property as "held for sale" when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the property; (2) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell, have been initiated; (4) the sale of the property is probable and is expected to be completed within one year or the property is under a contract to be sold; (5) the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions necessary to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. When all of these criteria have been met, the property is classified as "held for sale." When a property classified as held for sale has separate cash inflows and outflows, its operations, including any interest expense directly attributable to it, are classified as a discontinued operation in Griffin's consolidated statements of operations, and amounts for all prior periods presented are reclassified from continuing operations to discontinued operations. Depreciation of assets ceases upon designation of a property as "held for sale."
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents are composed of highly liquid investments and money market funds with an initial maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. At November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013, $16,433 and $175, respectively, of the cash and cash equivalents included on Griffin's consolidated balance sheets were held in cash equivalents.
	Investments
	Griffin's investment in the common stock of Centaur Media plc ("Centaur Media") is accounted for as an available-for-sale security under FASB ASC 320-10, "Investments—Debt and Equity Securities" ("ASC 320-10"), whereby increases or decreases in the fair value of this investment, net of income taxes, along with the effect of changes in the foreign currency exchange rate, net of income taxes, are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
	Griffin's investment in Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp. ("SNHC") was accounted for under the cost method of accounting for investments. Griffin sold its entire investment in SNHC in fiscal 2013 (see Note 5).
	Inventories
	Griffin's inventories reflected nursery stock and material and supplies of Imperial and were stated at the lower of cost, using the average cost method, or market. Abnormal costs of idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs and spoilage were treated as period costs. As of November 30, 2013, the carrying value of inventory was reduced to its fair value, which was the net realizable value based on the sale of the inventories, effective January 8, 2014, under the terms of the Imperial Sale (see Note 2).
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Griffin accounts for stock options at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 718, "Compensation—Stock Compensation" and FASB ASC 505-50, "Equity—Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees." For stock options that have graded vesting features, Griffin recognizes compensation cost over the requisite service period separately for each tranche of the award as though they were, in substance, multiple awards. Griffin determines its accumulated windfall tax benefits using the short-cut method.
	Postretirement Benefits
	In fiscal 2014, Griffin terminated its postretirement benefit program (see Note 10). Griffin had accounted for postretirement benefits in accordance with FASB ASC 715-10, "Compensation—Retirement Benefits" ("ASC 715-10"). This guidance requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income. This guidance also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, with limited exceptions.
	Impairment of Investments in Long-Lived Assets
	Griffin reviews annually, as well as when conditions may indicate, its long-lived assets to determine if there are indicators of impairment, such as a prolonged vacancy in one of its properties. If indicators of impairment are present, Griffin evaluates the carrying value of the assets in relation to the operating performance and expected future undiscounted cash flows or the estimated fair value based on expected future cash flows of the underlying assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of an asset, Griffin would reduce the carrying value of a long-lived asset to its fair value if that asset's fair value is determined to be less than its carrying value.
	Griffin also reviews annually, as well as when conditions may indicate, the recoverability of its development costs, including expected remediation costs on projects that are included in real estate assets. To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a project, including development costs, an impairment loss would be recorded.
	There were no impairment losses recorded in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012.
	Revenue and Gain Recognition
	In the real estate business, revenue includes rental revenue from Griffin Land's commercial and industrial properties and proceeds from property sales other than those that are reported as a discontinued operation. Rental revenue is accounted for on a straight line basis over the applicable lease term in accordance with FASB ASC 840-10, "Leases." Gains on property sales are recognized in accordance with FASB ASC 360-20, "Property, Plant, and Equipment—Real Estate Sales," based on the specific terms of each sale. When the percentage of completion method is used to account for a sale of real estate, costs included in determining the percentage of completion include the costs of the land sold, allocated master planning costs, selling and transaction costs and estimated future costs related to the land sold.
	The growing operations of the landscape nursery business are reflected as a discontinued operation in the consolidated statements of operations. Sales and the related costs of sales were recognized upon shipment of products. Sales returns were not material.
	Income Taxes
	Griffin provides for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability method, and records deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the tax rates that are anticipated to be in effect when these differences reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when it is necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts for which realization is more likely than not. Griffin and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.
	Griffin evaluates each tax position taken in its tax returns and recognizes a liability for any tax position deemed less likely than not to be sustained under examination by the relevant taxing authorities. Griffin has analyzed its federal and significant state filing positions with respect to FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740-10"). Griffin believes that its income tax filing positions will be sustained on examination and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change on its financial statements. As a result, no accrual for uncertain income tax positions has been recorded pursuant to ASC 740-10.
	Griffin's policy for recording interest and penalties, related to uncertain tax positions, is to record such items as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes.
	Intangible Assets
	Griffin accounts for intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC 350-10 "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other." Griffin's intangible assets consist of: (i) the value of in-place leases; and (ii) the value of the associated relationships with tenants. These intangible assets were recorded in connection with Griffin's acquisitions of real estate assets. Amortization of the value of in-place leases, included in depreciation and amortization expense, is on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Amortization of the value of customer relationships with tenants, included in depreciation and amortization expense, is on a straight-line basis over the lease terms and anticipated renewal periods.
	Environmental Matters
	Environmental expenditures related to land and buildings are expensed or capitalized as appropriate, depending upon their future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and that do not have future economic benefit, are expensed. Expenditures that create future benefit or contribute to future revenue generation are capitalized. Liabilities related to future remediation costs are recorded when environmental assessments and/or cleanups are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
	Interest Rate Swap Agreements
	As of November 30, 2014, Griffin is a party to several interest rate swap agreements to hedge its interest rate exposures. Griffin does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. Griffin applies FASB ASC 815-10, "Derivatives and Hedging," ("ASC 815-10") as amended, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. ASC 815-10 requires Griffin to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. The changes in the fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are measured in accordance with ASC 815-10 and reflected in the carrying values of the interest rate swap agreements on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair values are based primarily on projected future swap rates.
	Griffin applies cash flow hedge accounting to its interest rate swap agreements that are designated as hedges of the variability of future cash flows from floating rate liabilities based on benchmark interest rates. The changes in fair values of Griffin's interest rate swap agreements are recorded as components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") in stockholders' equity, to the extent they are effective. Any ineffective portions of the changes in fair values of these instruments would be recorded as interest expense or interest income.
	Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations
	Griffin accounts for its conditional asset retirement obligations in accordance with FASB ASC 410-10, "Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations," which requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value can be reasonably estimated even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. The conditional asset retirement obligations relate principally to tobacco barns and other structures on Griffin's land holdings that contain asbestos, primarily in roofing materials. These structures remain from the tobacco growing operations of former affiliates of Griffin, are not material to Griffin's operations and do not have any book value.
	Treasury Stock
	Treasury stock is recorded at cost as a reduction of stockholders' equity on Griffin's consolidated balance sheets.
	Income (Loss) Per Share
	Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations and discontinued operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The calculation of diluted income (loss) per common share reflects adjusting Griffin's outstanding shares assuming the exercise of all potentially dilutive Griffin stock options.
	Risks and Uncertainties
	Griffin's future results of operations involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could affect Griffin's future operating results and cause actual results to vary materially from historical results include, but are not limited to, the geographical concentration of Griffin Land's real estate holdings, credit risk and market risk.
	Griffin Land's real estate holdings are mostly concentrated in the Hartford, Connecticut area. In fiscal 2010, Griffin Land started the expansion of its real estate holdings outside of the Hartford area by purchasing an industrial building and undeveloped land in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Griffin Land subsequently developed two industrial buildings on the land acquired, acquired additional undeveloped land in the Lehigh Valley and started construction of an industrial building on the most recently acquired land. The market and economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy as a whole or the local economic conditions in the markets in which Griffin holds properties may affect Griffin Land's real estate business. Griffin's results of operations, financial condition or ability to expand may be adversely affected as a result of: (i) unfavorable financial changes to Griffin Land's tenants which may result in tenant defaults under leases; (ii) significant job losses impacting the demand for rental space causing market rental rates and property values to be negatively impacted; (iii) the ability of Griffin to borrow on terms and conditions that it finds acceptable; and (iv) possibly reduced values of Griffin Land's properties potentially limiting the proceeds from a sale of its properties or from debt financing collateralized by its properties.
	Griffin Land conducts business based on evaluations of its prospective tenants financial condition and generally does not require collateral. These evaluations require significant judgment and are based on multiple sources of information.
	Griffin does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. Griffin applies ASC 815-10, which established accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. This accounting guidance requires Griffin to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets and to measure those instruments at fair value. The estimated fair value is based primarily on projected future swap rates.
	Griffin applies cash flow hedge accounting to its interest rate swap agreements designated as hedges of the variability of future cash flows from floating rate liabilities due to the benchmark interest rates. Changes in the fair value of these interest rate swaps are recorded as a component of AOCI in stockholders' equity, to the extent they are effective. Amounts recorded to AOCI are then reclassified to interest expense as interest on the hedged borrowing is recognized. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of these instruments would be recorded to interest expense.
	Griffin's cash equivalents consist of overnight investments that are not significantly exposed to interest rate risk.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Griffin's significant estimates include the impairment evaluation of long-lived assets, deferred income taxes, derivative financial instruments, revenue and gain recognition including the estimated costs to complete required offsite improvements related to land sold and assumptions used in determining stock compensation.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance. This standard requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Additionally, the update requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. This update will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2018 and early adoption is not permitted. Certain aspects of this new standard may affect revenue recognition of Griffin Land. Griffin is evaluating the impact that the application of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists," which provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. Specifically, this update requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. This update was effective for Griffin in the 2014 second quarter. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on Griffin's financial position or results of operations.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations	2. Discontinued Operations
	Imperial
	Effective January 8, 2014, in accordance with the terms of the Imperial Sale, Imperial sold its inventory and certain assets for $732 in cash and a non-interest bearing note receivable of $4,250 (the "Promissory Note"). Net cash of $732 was received from Monrovia in fiscal 2014 and Griffin paid $563 in severance and other expenses. The Promissory Note is due in two installments: $2,750 was due and paid on June 1, 2014 and $1,500 is due on June 1, 2015. The Promissory Note was discounted at 7% to its present value of $4,036 at inception and is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit. Under the terms of the Imperial Sale, Griffin and Imperial agreed to indemnify Monrovia for any potential environmental liabilities relating to periods prior to the effective date of the Imperial Sale and also agreed to certain non-competition restrictions for a four-year period.
	Concurrent with the Imperial Sale, Imperial and River Bend Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffin, entered into a Lease and Option Agreement and an Addendum to such agreement (the "Imperial Lease", and together with the Imperial Sale, the "Imperial Transaction") with Monrovia, pursuant to which Monrovia is leasing Imperial's Connecticut production nursery for a ten-year period, with options to extend for up to an additional fifteen years exercisable by Monrovia. The Imperial Lease provides for net annual rent payable to Griffin of $500 for each of the first five years with rent for subsequent years determined in accordance with the Imperial Lease. The Imperial Lease also grants Monrovia an option to purchase most of the land, land improvements and other operating assets that were used by Imperial in its Connecticut growing operations during the first thirteen years of the lease period for $10,500, or $7,000 if only a certain portion of the land is purchased, subject in each case to certain adjustments as provided for in the Imperial Lease. Accordingly, the operating results of Imperial's growing operations are reflected as a discontinued operation in Griffin's consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented and the assets and liabilities of the growing operations of Imperial (excluding those assets that are part of the Imperial Lease) are shown as assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation on Griffin's consolidated balance sheets. The property and equipment previously used by Imperial and currently leased to Monrovia was reclassified on January 8, 2014 from property and equipment to real estate assets on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet. The property and equipment had a cost of $11,485 and accumulated depreciation of $9,850 at the time it was reclassified (see Notes 4 and 6).
	Imperial's revenue and the pretax income (loss), reflected as a discontinued operation in Griffin's consolidated statements of operations, were as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net sales and other revenue	$	159		$	13,220		$	12,376
	Pretax income (loss)	$	259		$	(12,142	)	$	(1,260	)
	Imperial's pretax income in fiscal 2014 includes $451 for the reclassification of actuarial gains related to Griffin's postretirement benefits program from other comprehensive income into pretax income as a result of the termination of Griffin's postretirement benefits program (see Note 10).
	In fiscal 2013, Imperial's pretax loss included a charge of $10,400 to reduce Imperial's inventories to fair value, which was the net realizable value based on the terms of the Imperial Sale. Also in fiscal 2013, Imperial's pretax loss included a charge of $500 to increase inventory reserves for plants that were expected to be sold below cost as seconds. In fiscal 2012, Imperial's pretax loss included a charge of $380 to increase reserves for unsaleable inventories and plants that were expected to be sold below cost as seconds.
	The pretax loss from the Imperial Sale in fiscal 2014 was as follows:
	Consideration received from Monrovia, reflecting cash of $732 and note receivable of $4,036	$	4,768
	Carrying value of assets sold, principally inventory		(4,561	)
	Curtailment of employee benefit plan (see Note 10)		309
	Severance and other expenses		(563	)
	Pretax loss on sale	$	(47	)
	The assets and liabilities of Imperial's growing operation, reflected as a discontinued operation, are as follows:
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		2014			2013
	Assets:
	Accounts receivable	$	—		$	1,151
	Inventories		—			4,116
	Other		36			360
		$	36		$	5,627
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	8		$	768
	Griffin Land
	On January 31, 2012, Griffin Land closed on the sale of its Manchester, Connecticut warehouse to its full building tenant in that building, an affiliate of Raymour & Flanigan ("Raymour"). Accordingly, the gain on the sale of the Manchester warehouse and the operating results of the Manchester warehouse are reflected as a discontinued operation in Griffin's fiscal 2012 consolidated statement of operations. Net cash proceeds from the sale, after selling expenses of $438 paid out of proceeds at closing and $25 paid separately, were $15,537, and a pretax gain of $2,886 is included in the results of discontinued operations in fiscal 2012. Upon completion of the sale, Griffin deposited the cash of $15,562 received from the sale at closing into an escrow account for the potential purchase of a replacement property under a Section 1031 like-kind exchange. As Griffin Land did not identify a replacement property within the time frame required under the tax rules and regulations governing a Section 1031 like-kind exchange, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the cash being held in escrow was released to Griffin Land. Rental revenue and pretax income from the operations of the Manchester warehouse in fiscal 2012 prior to its sale were $273 and $221, respectively.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Fair Value
Fair Value	3. Fair Value
	Griffin applies the provisions of FASB ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), which establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. An asset or liability's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, as follows:
	Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Griffin's available-for-sale securities are considered Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
	Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Level 2 liabilities include Griffin's interest rate swap derivatives (see Note 8). These inputs are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets, therefore, Griffin has categorized these derivative instruments as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
	Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	During fiscal 2014, Griffin did not transfer any assets or liabilities in or out of Levels 1 and 2. The following are Griffin's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		November 30, 2014
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Marketable equity securities	$	1,924	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swap asset	$	—	$	8	$	—
	Interest rate swap liabilities	$	—	$	2,330	$	—
		November 30, 2013
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Marketable equity securities	$	2,208	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swap asset	$	—	$	63	$	—
	Interest rate swap liabilities	$	—	$	2,285	$	—
	The carrying and estimated fair values of Griffin's financial instruments are as follows:
				November 30, 2014				November 30, 2013
		Fair Value		Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
		Hierarchy		Value		Fair Value		Value		Fair Value
		Level
	Financial assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	17,059	$	17,059	$	14,179	$	14,179
	Available-for-sale securities		1		1,924		1,924		2,208		2,208
	Interest rate swap		2		8		8		63		63
	Financial liabilities:
	Mortgage loans		2	$	70,168	$	71,014	$	66,708	$	67,931
	Interest rate swaps		2		2,330		2,330		2,285		2,285
	The amounts included in the financial statements for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of the available-for-sale securities are based on quoted market prices. The fair values of the mortgage loans are estimated based on current rates offered to Griffin for similar debt of the same remaining maturities and, additionally, Griffin considers its credit worthiness in determining the fair value of its mortgage loans. The fair values of the interest rate swaps (used for purposes other than trading) are determined based on discounted cash flow models that incorporate the cash flows of the derivatives as well as the current OIS rate and swap curve along with other market data, taking into account current interest rates and the credit worthiness of the counterparty for assets and the credit worthiness of Griffin for liabilities.

Real_Estate_Assets

Real Estate Assets	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Real Estate Assets
Real Estate Assets	4. Real Estate Assets
	Real estate assets consist of:
		Estimated		Nov. 30, 2014			Nov. 30, 2013
		Useful Lives
	Land			$	17,955		$	17,507
	Land improvements	10 to 30 years			18,527			15,529
	Buildings and improvements	10 to 40 years			135,857			122,057
	Tenant improvements	Shorter of			14,820			16,126
		useful life or
		terms of related
		lease
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years			11,810			4,188
	Development costs				10,315			16,861
					209,284			192,268
	Accumulated depreciation				(74,762	)		(61,078	)
				$	134,522		$	131,190
	Included in real estate assets, net as of November 30, 2014 is $1,444 reflecting the net book value of Imperial's Connecticut farm assets that were leased to Monrovia effective January 8, 2014 (see Notes 2 and 6). Prior to that date, these assets were reported as part of property and equipment. The assets reclassified from property and equipment to real estate assets had a cost of $11,485 and accumulated depreciation of $9,850 at the time of the reclassification.
	Total depreciation expense and capitalized interest related to real estate assets, net were as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Depreciation expense	$	5,747		$	5,545		$	5,237
	Capitalized interest	$	580		$	71		$	596
	In the 2013 fourth quarter, Griffin Land completed the sale of approximately 90 acres of undeveloped land for approximately $9,000 in cash, before transaction costs (the "Windsor Land Sale"). The land sold is located in Windsor, Connecticut and is part of an approximately 253 acre parcel of undeveloped land that straddles the town line between Windsor and Bloomfield, Connecticut. Under the terms of the Windsor Land Sale, Griffin Land and the buyer are each constructing roadways connecting the land parcel sold with existing town roads. The roads being built will become new town roads, thereby providing public access to the remaining acreage in Griffin Land's land parcel. As a result of Griffin Land's continuing involvement with the land sold, the Windsor Land Sale is being accounted for under the percentage of completion method. Accordingly, the revenue and pretax gain on the sale are being recognized on a pro rata basis in a ratio equal to the percentage of the total costs incurred to the total anticipated costs of sale, including the costs of the required roadwork. Costs included in determining the percentage of completion include the cost of the land sold, allocated master planning costs and the cost of road construction. At the closing of the Windsor Land Sale, cash proceeds of $8,860 were placed in escrow for the potential purchase of a replacement property in a like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("the IRC"), which was reflected as Proceeds Held in Escrow on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2013. The proceeds held in escrow were returned to Griffin in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, as a replacement property was not acquired.
	As of November 30, 2014, approximately 64% of the total costs related to the Windsor Land Sale have been incurred; therefore, from the date of the Windsor Land Sale through November 30, 2014, approximately 64% of the total revenue and pretax gain on the sale have been recognized in Griffin's consolidated statements of operations. Griffin's consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 2014 includes revenue of $3,105 and a pretax gain of $2,358 from the Windsor Land Sale. Griffin's consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 2013 included revenue of $2,668 and a pretax gain of $1,990 from the Windsor Land Sale. The balance of the revenue and pretax gain on sale will be recognized when the remaining costs are incurred, which is expected to take place mostly in the first half of fiscal 2015. Included on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2014, is deferred revenue of $3,195 that will be recognized as the remaining costs are incurred (see Note 13). Including the pretax gain on sale recognized in fiscal 2013, the total pretax gain on the Windsor Land Sale is expected to be approximately $6,754 after all revenue is recognized and all costs are incurred. While management has used its best estimates, based on industry knowledge and experience, in projecting the total costs of the required roadways, increases or decreases in future costs as compared with current estimated amounts would reduce or increase the pretax gain recognized in future periods.
	In fiscal 2012, Griffin Land sold 93 acres of undeveloped land in New England Tradeport ("Tradeport"), Griffin Land's industrial park located in Windsor and East Granby, Connecticut, to Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc. for cash proceeds of $7,000, before transaction costs (the "Dollar Tree Sale"). Under the terms of the Dollar Tree Sale, Griffin Land was required to construct a sewer line to service the land that was sold. As a result of Griffin Land's continuing involvement with the land sold, the Dollar Tree Sale was accounted for under the percentage of completion method. Accordingly, the revenue and the pretax gain on sale were recognized on a pro rata basis in a ratio equal to the percentage of the total costs incurred to the total anticipated costs of sale, including the costs of the required construction of the sewer line. Costs included in determining the percentage of completion included the cost of the land sold, allocated master planning costs of Tradeport, selling and transaction costs and the cost to construct the required sewer line. Upon completion of the sale, Griffin Land deposited the cash of $6,929 received from the Dollar Tree Sale at closing into an escrow account, for the potential purchase of a replacement property in a like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the IRC, as amended. In fiscal 2013, Griffin Land closed on the acquisition of a parcel of undeveloped land to complete the Section 1031 like-kind exchange (see below).
	In fiscal 2013, all of the remaining costs related to the Dollar Tree Sale were incurred; therefore, from the date of the Dollar Tree Sale in fiscal 2012 through the end of fiscal 2013, all of the revenue and the pretax gain on sale were recognized in Griffin's consolidated statements of operations. Griffin's consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 2013 includes revenue of $2,474 and a pretax gain of $2,109 from the Dollar Tree Sale. Included in the pretax gain in fiscal 2013 is $177 from an amended agreement related to the Dollar Tree Sale whereby Griffin Land received $177 upon completion of the sewer line to service the land that was sold. Including the pretax gain on sale of $3,942 recognized in fiscal 2012, the total pretax gain on the Dollar Tree Sale was $6,051.
	In fiscal 2013, Griffin Land closed on the acquisition of approximately 49 acres of undeveloped land in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania for $7,119 in cash, using the proceeds from the Dollar Tree Sale that were being held in escrow to complete the Section 1031 like-kind exchange.
	Real estate assets held for sale consist of:
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	286		$	30
	Development costs		9,657			1,074
		$	9,943		$	1,104
	During the year ended November 30, 2014, Griffin Land reclassified real estate assets into real estate assets held for sale the costs related to a residential development in Simsbury, Connecticut and two land parcels that are under contract to be sold. The residential development is being offered for sale either in its entirety or in segments.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Investments
Investments	5. Investments
	Centaur Media plc
	Griffin's investment in the common stock of Centaur Media is accounted for as an available-for-sale security under ASC 320-10. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Centaur Media, reflecting both changes in the stock price and changes in the foreign currency exchange rate, are included, net of income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income (see Note 11). Griffin's investment income includes dividend income from Centaur Media of $82, $110 and $188 in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.
	At the beginning of fiscal 2013, Griffin held 5,277,150 shares of Centaur Media common stock. In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, Griffin sold 500,000 and 2,824,688 shares, respectively, of its Centaur Media common stock for total cash proceeds of $566 and $2,487, respectively, after transaction costs. The sale of Centaur Media common stock resulted in a pretax gain of $318 and $1,088 in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. Griffin held 1,952,462 shares of Centaur Media common stock as of November 30, 2014.
	The fair value, cost and unrealized gain of Griffin's investment in Centaur Media are as follows:
		Nov. 30,		Nov. 30,
		2014		2013
	Fair value	$	1,924	$	2,208
	Cost		1,014		1,274
	Unrealized gain	$	910	$	934
	Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp.
	At the beginning of fiscal 2013, Griffin held an approximate 14% equity interest in SNHC, which operated a landscape nursery distribution business. Griffin accounted for its investment in SNHC under the cost method of accounting for investments. Prior to fiscal 2013, Griffin had received cash distributions from SNHC which were treated as a return of investment. Accordingly, Griffin did not have any remaining book value in its investment in SNHC as of December 1, 2012. In fiscal 2013, Griffin sold its investment in SNHC for total cash proceeds of $3,418, resulting in a pretax gain of $3,397.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment	6. Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consist of:
		Estimated Useful	Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		Lives	2014			2013
	Land		$	—		$	437
	Land improvements	10 to 20 years		—			1,561
	Buildings and improvements	10 to 40 years		—			1,865
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years		1,218			12,135
				1,218			15,998
	Accumulated depreciation			(988	)		(14,048	)
			$	230		$	1,950
	As a result of the Imperial Lease, certain assets of the Connecticut farm were reclassified from property and equipment to real estate assets on January 8, 2014. The net book value of the assets reclassified was $1,635, reflecting cost of $11,485 net of accumulated depreciation of $9,850 (see Notes 2 and 4).
	Total depreciation expense related to property and equipment in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was $111, $335 and $362, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	7. Income Taxes
	The income tax provision in continuing operations for fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 is summarized as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Current state and local		—			—			—
	Deferred federal		356			(1,076	)		(172	)
	Deferred state and local		(452	)		84			(98	)
	Total income tax provision	$	(96	)	$	(992	)	$	(270	)
	In fiscal 2014, Griffin decreased its expected realization of the tax benefit related to its Connecticut state net operating loss carryforwards and Connecticut state other temporary differences. This decrease is based on management's current projections of taxable income in the state of Connecticut in future years that would generate income taxes in excess of capital based taxes. A charge of approximately $375 is reflected in the fiscal 2014 tax provision for state taxes to reflect the expected lower realization of certain state tax benefits.
	Griffin did not recognize a current tax benefit in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012 from the exercise of employee stock options. A benefit was not recorded in fiscal 2014 and 2013 because Griffin did not have taxable income. In fiscal 2012, Griffin utilized net operating loss carryforwards to offset taxable income. As of November 30, 2014, Griffin has an unrecognized tax benefit of $1,170 for the effect of employee stock options exercised in fiscal years 2006 through 2014. In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2012, the deferred tax asset related to non-qualified stock options was reduced by $4 and $38, respectively, as a result of exercises and forfeitures of those options. There were no adjustments to deferred tax assets for exercises and forfeitures of non-qualified stock options in fiscal 2013.
	Included in total income (loss) from Griffin's discontinued operations, net of tax, is an income tax provision of $115 and $1,077 for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2012, respectively, and an income tax benefit of $4,411 for fiscal 2013.
	The income tax (provision) benefit for discontinued operations in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 is net of the effect of recording valuation allowances on certain state deferred tax assets for state net operating losses of Imperial. The effect on the income tax provision for the valuation allowances in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 were charges of $24, $93 and $44, respectively, less federal income tax benefits of $8, $33 and $15, respectively. The establishment of the valuation allowances reflects management's determination that it is more likely than not that Griffin will not generate sufficient taxable income in the future to fully utilize certain state net operating loss carryforwards.
	Other comprehensive (loss) income includes deferred tax benefit (expense) as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media plc	$	17		$	213		$	(427	)
	Measurement of the funded status of the defined postretirement plan		181			(40	)		29
	Fair value adjustment of Griffin's cash flow hedges		37			(359	)		287
	Total income tax benefit (expense) included in other comprehensive (loss) income	$	235		$	(186	)	$	(111	)
	The differences between the income tax benefit (provision) at the United States statutory income tax rates and the actual income tax benefit (provision) on continuing operations for fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 are as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Tax benefit (provision) at statutory rate	$	403		$	(1,016	)	$	(163	)
	State and local taxes, including valuation allowance, net of federal tax effect		(457	)		55			(64	)
	Permanent items		(43	)		(39	)		(50	)
	Other		1			8			7
	Total income tax provision	$	(96	)	$	(992	)	$	(270	)
	The significant components of Griffin's deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	3,417		$	1,507
	Deferred revenue		2,836			485
	Retirement benefit plans		1,496			1,500
	Cash flow hedges		859			821
	Non-qualified stock options		794			733
	State net operating loss carryforwards		670			937
	Charitable contributions		239			243
	Conditional asset retirement obligations		112			114
	Inventories		—			4,397
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable		—			52
	Other		40			372
	Total deferred tax assets		10,463			11,161
	Valuation allowances		(395	)		(379	)
	Net deferred tax assets		10,068			10,782
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Real estate assets		(2,547	)		(3,272	)
	Deferred rent		(882	)		(926	)
	Prepaid insurance		(142	)		(180	)
	Property and equipment		(39	)		(104	)
	Investment in Centaur Media plc		(22	)		45
	Other		(440	)		(370	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(4,072	)		(4,807	)
	Net total deferred tax assets	$	5,996		$	5,975
	At November 30, 2014, Griffin had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $9,019 with expirations ranging from sixteen to twenty years and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $20,437, principally in Connecticut, with expirations ranging from eight to twenty years. Management has determined that a valuation allowance is required for net operating loss carryforwards in certain states (other than Connecticut) related to Imperial. Realization of the tax benefits related to the Connecticut state net operating loss carryforwards, which are not subject to valuation allowances, and the state effective tax rates at which those benefits will be realized is dependent upon future results of operations. Differences between forecasted and actual future operating results could adversely impact Griffin's ability to realize tax benefits from Connecticut state net operating losses. Therefore, the deferred tax assets relating to Connecticut state net operating loss carryforwards could be reduced in the future if estimates of future taxable income are reduced. Griffin has evaluated the likelihood that it will realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets. Based on a significant amount of appreciated assets, primarily real estate, held by Griffin and the significant length of time expected before Griffin's deferred tax assets would expire, Griffin believes that it is more likely than not that it will utilize the benefit of its deferred tax assets.
	Griffin evaluates each tax position taken in its tax returns and recognizes a liability for any tax position deemed less likely than not to be sustained under examination by the relevant taxing authorities. Griffin believes that its income tax filing positions will be sustained on examination and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change on its financial statements. As a result, no accrual for uncertain income tax positions has been recorded pursuant to ASC 740-10.
	Federal income tax returns for fiscal 2013, fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In fiscal 2014, the state of New York completed an examination of Griffin's fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 tax returns. In fiscal 2012, the state of Connecticut completed an examination of Griffin's fiscal 2007 tax return. There were no significant adjustments made as a result of those examinations. The remaining periods subject to examination for Griffin's significant state return, which is Connecticut, are fiscal 2008 through fiscal 2013.

Mortgage_Loans

Mortgage Loans	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Mortgage Loans
Mortgage Loans	8. Mortgage Loans
	Griffin's mortgage loans, which are nonrecourse, consist of:
			Nov. 30,		Nov. 30,
			2014		2013
	6.30%, due May 1, 2014		$	—	$	99
	5.73%, due August 1, 2015			18,189		18,615
	8.13%, due April 1, 2016			—		3,603
	7.0%, due October 1, 2017			—		5,779
	Variable rate, due October 2, 2017*			6,394		6,563
	Variable rate, due February 1, 2019*			10,888		11,150
	Variable rate, due August 1, 2019*			7,691		7,869
	Variable rate, due January 27, 2020*			3,848		3,961
	Variable rate, due September 1, 2023*			8,875		9,069
	5.09%, due July 1, 2029			7,750		—
	5.09%, due July 1, 2029			6,533		—
	Total nonrecourse mortgage loans		$	70,168	$	66,708
	*	Griffin entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rates on these loans (see below).
	The annual principal payment requirements under the terms of the nonrecourse mortgage loans for the fiscal years 2015 through 2019 are $19,828, $1,725, $7,663, $1,720 and $17,719, respectively. The aggregate book value of land and buildings that are collateral for the nonrecourse mortgage loans was approximately $70,226 at November 30, 2014.
	On June 6, 2014, a subsidiary of Griffin completed the refinancing of its nonrecourse mortgage loan (the "GCD Mortgage Loan") with Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company ("Farm Bureau") that was due April 1, 2016. The GCD Mortgage Loan is collateralized by a 165,000 square foot industrial building in Windsor, Connecticut. At the time of the refinancing, the GCD Mortgage Loan had a balance of $3,391 and an interest rate of 8.13%. The refinancing increased the loan amount to $7,868, reduced the interest rate to 5.09% and extended the loan term to fifteen years from the time of the refinancing, with payments based on a fifteen year amortization schedule.
	Also on June 6, 2014, a subsidiary of Griffin completed the refinancing of its nonrecourse mortgage loan (the "TD Mortgage Loan") with Farm Bureau that was due October 1, 2017. The TD Mortgage Loan is collateralized by an approximately 100,000 square foot industrial building and a 57,000 square foot industrial building, both located in Windsor, Connecticut. At the time of the refinancing, the TD Mortgage Loan had a balance of $5,632 and an interest rate of 7.0%. The refinancing increased the loan amount to $6,632, reduced the interest rate to 5.09% and extended the loan term to fifteen years from the time of the refinancing, with payments based on a fifteen year amortization schedule. The mortgage loan proceeds of $1,000 from the refinancing of the TD Mortgage Loan are being held in escrow. The escrowed funds will be released to Griffin if the approximately 57,000 square foot industrial building, which is expected to become vacant after the current short-term lease of that building expires, is re-leased under terms agreed upon with Farm Bureau. If a replacement lease reflecting the rental terms agreed upon with Farm Bureau is not obtained, the proceeds being held in escrow are required to be used to make a partial prepayment, without penalty, on the TD Mortgage Loan.
	The GCD Mortgage Loan and the TD Mortgage Loan are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted with each other. The loans may not be voluntarily prepaid for seven years; thereafter, any prepayment would require a prepayment fee and the simultaneous prepayment of both loans. Griffin reported $51 for the write-off of all deferred costs related to the two mortgages refinanced with Farm Bureau as a loss on debt extinguishment on Griffin's fiscal 2014 consolidated statement of operations.
	On August 28, 2013, a subsidiary of Griffin closed on a $9,100 nonrecourse mortgage loan (the "2023 First Niagara Mortgage") with First Niagara Bank ("First Niagara"), collateralized by a 228,000 square foot industrial building in Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania that was constructed in fiscal 2012 and fully leased in fiscal 2013. Although this mortgage is nonrecourse, Griffin and its subsidiary entered into a master lease that is coterminous with the 2023 First Niagara Mortgage which would become effective if the full building tenant in that building does not renew its five-year lease when it is scheduled to expire in fiscal 2018. The 2023 First Niagara Mortgage has a ten-year term with monthly payments based on a twenty-five year amortization schedule. The interest rate for the 2023 First Niagara Mortgage is a floating rate of the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.95%. At the time Griffin closed on the 2023 First Niagara Mortgage, Griffin also entered into an interest rate swap agreement with First Niagara for a notional principal amount of $9,100 at inception to fix the interest rate of the 2023 First Niagara Mortgage at 4.79%.
	On December 31, 2014, two subsidiaries of Griffin, closed on a new mortgage ("the 2025 First Niagara Mortgage") for $21,600. The 2025 First Niagara Mortgage refinanced the 2023 First Niagara Mortgage and is collateralized by the same 228,000 square foot industrial building in Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania along with an adjacent 303,000 square foot industrial building. Griffin received net proceeds of $10,875 at closing (before transaction costs), net of $8,875 used to refinance the 2023 First Niagara Mortgage and $1,850 held back until a portion of the vacant space in the 303,000 square foot building is leased. The 2025 First Niagara Mortgage has a ten-year term with monthly payments based on a twenty-five year amortization schedule. The interest rate for the 2025 First Niagara Mortgage is a floating rate of the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.95%. At the time the 2025 First Niagara Mortgage closed, Griffin entered into an interest rate swap agreement, that combined with an existing interest rate swap agreement, effectively fixes the rate of the 2025 First Niagara Mortgage at 4.43% over the mortgage loan's ten-year term.
	On April 1, 2013, a subsidiary of Griffin entered into a modification agreement for its 5.25% nonrecourse mortgage loan with First Niagara due January 27, 2020 (the "2020 First Niagara Mortgage"). The modification agreement changed the interest rate of the 2020 First Niagara Mortgage from a fixed rate of 5.25% to a variable rate of the one month LIBOR rate plus 2.5%. The loan modification did not change the loan's collateral or maturity date. Griffin Land paid $70 to First Niagara for the loan modification, plus transaction costs. Because the difference between the present values of the future payments under the existing loan and the modified loan was greater than 10%, the loan modification was accounted for as a debt extinguishment in fiscal 2013. As such, all deferred costs related to the 2020 First Niagara Mortgage ($216) and the fee paid to First Niagara for the modification agreement were reflected as a loss on debt extinguishment on Griffin's fiscal 2013 consolidated statement of operations. Concurrent with the completion of the loan modification agreement, Griffin Land entered into an interest rate swap agreement with First Niagara to fix the interest rate on the 2020 First Niagara Mortgage at 3.91% for the duration of the loan.
	On June 15, 2012, Griffin and two of its wholly owned subsidiaries entered into the Third Modification Agreement (the "Modification Agreement") to the mortgage loan originally due January 1, 2013 with Webster Bank (the "Webster Mortgage"). The Modification Agreement extended the maturity of the Webster Mortgage to October 2, 2017. In accordance with the Modification Agreement, the interest rate under the Webster Mortgage, which was fixed at 6.08% through September 30, 2012, changed, effective October 1, 2012, to a floating rate of the one month LIBOR rate plus 2.75%. In anticipation of entering into the Modification Agreement, on June 7, 2012, Griffin entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Webster Bank to effectively fix the interest rate on the Webster Mortgage at 3.86% from October 1, 2012 through the maturity of the Webster Mortgage. Pursuant to the Modification Agreement, effective on October 1, 2012, principal payments on the Webster Mortgage were based on a twenty-five year amortization schedule. The Webster Mortgage is collateralized by Griffin Land's two multi-story office buildings in Windsor, Connecticut. The Modification Agreement did not alter the collateral for the Webster Mortgage.
	As of November 30, 2014, Griffin was a party to several interest rate swap agreements related to its variable rate nonrecourse mortgages on certain of its real estate assets. Griffin accounts for its interest rate swap agreements as effective cash flow hedges (see Note 3). No ineffectiveness on the cash flow hedges was recognized as of November 30, 2014 and none is anticipated over the term of the agreements. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be reclassified into interest expense over the term of the swap agreements to achieve fixed rates on each mortgage. None of the interest rate swap agreements contain any credit risk related contingent features. In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2012, Griffin recognized net losses, included in other comprehensive income (loss), before taxes of $100 and $776, respectively, on its interest rate swap agreements. In fiscal 2013, Griffin recognized a net gain, included in other comprehensive income, before taxes of $969 on its interest rate swap agreements.
	As of November 30, 2014, $961 is expected to be reclassified over the next twelve months from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense. As of November 30, 2014, the net fair value of Griffin's interest rate swap agreements was $2,322, with $8 included in other assets and $2,330 included in other liabilities on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet. As of November 30, 2013, the net fair value of Griffin's interest rate swap agreements was $2,222, with $63 included in other assets and $2,285 included in other liabilities on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet.

Revolving_Credit_Agreement

Revolving Credit Agreement	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Revolving Credit Agreement
Revolving Credit Agreement	9. Revolving Credit Agreement
	On April 24, 2013, Griffin closed on a $12,500 revolving credit line with Webster Bank (the "Webster Credit Line"). The Webster Credit Line is for two years with an option for Griffin to extend the credit line for a third year. The Webster Credit Line replaced Griffin's $12,500 credit line with Doral Bank (the "Doral Credit Line") that was scheduled to expire on May 1, 2013. Interest on the outstanding borrowings under the Webster Credit Line are at the one month LIBOR rate plus 2.75%.
	The Webster Credit Line is collateralized by Griffin Land's properties in Griffin Center South, aggregating approximately 235,000 square feet, and an approximately 48,000 square foot single-story office building in Griffin Center. These are the same properties that collateralized the Doral Credit Line. There were no borrowings under either the Webster Credit Line or the Doral Credit Line in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012.
	The aggregate book value of land and buildings that are collateral for the revolving line of credit was approximately $10,097 at November 30, 2014.

Retirement_Benefits

Retirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Retirement Benefits
Retirement Benefits	10. Retirement Benefits
	Savings Plan
	Griffin maintains the Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Griffin Savings Plan") for its employees, a defined contribution plan whereby Griffin matches 60% of each employee's contribution, up to a maximum of 5% of base salary. Griffin's contributions to the Griffin Savings Plan in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 were $64, $137 and $139, respectively.
	Deferred Compensation Plan
	Griffin maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan") for certain of its employees who, due to IRC regulations, cannot take full advantage of the Griffin Savings Plan. Griffin's liability under its Deferred Compensation Plan at November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013 was $3,784 and $3,399, respectively. These amounts are included in other liabilities on Griffin's consolidated balance sheets. The expense for Griffin's matching benefit to the Deferred Compensation Plan in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was $28, $29 and $29, respectively.
	The Deferred Compensation Plan is unfunded, with benefits to be paid from Griffin's general assets. The liability for the Deferred Compensation Plan reflects the amounts withheld from employees, Griffin's matching benefit and any gains or losses on participant account balances based on the assumed investment of amounts credited to participants' accounts in certain mutual funds. Participant balances are tracked and any gain or loss is determined based on the performance of the mutual funds as selected by the participants.
	Postretirement Benefits
	Through March 10, 2014, Griffin maintained an unfunded postretirement benefits program that provided principally health and life insurance benefits to certain of its employees. Only those employees who were employed by Griffin's predecessor company as of December 31, 1993 were eligible to participate in the postretirement benefits program. The liability for postretirement benefits was included in other liabilities on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet at November 30, 2013.
	On March 11, 2014, Griffin terminated its postretirement benefits program. Accordingly, the remaining liability under the postretirement benefits program was reversed and all actuarial gains under the postretirement program that had been reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income were reclassified into net income in the 2014 second quarter. As essentially all of the participants in the postretirement benefits program had been employees of Imperial, and charges related to the postretirement benefits program had been included in the results of the landscape nursery business that is now presented as a discontinued operation, the effect of the termination of the postretirement benefits program is mostly reflected in the results of discontinued operations in Griffin's consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 2014.
	As a result of the Imperial Sale (see Note 2) prior to the termination of the postretirement benefit program, the liability for postretirement benefits was reduced from $332 at November 30, 2013 to $23 in the 2014 first quarter. A curtailment gain of $309 is included in the determination of the loss on the Imperial Sale.
	Griffin accounted for postretirement benefits in accordance with ASC 715-10, which requires recognition of the funded status on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet of its postretirement benefits program. The effect of ASC 715-10 in fiscal 2013 was a decrease in other liabilities of $118 and a decrease of $68, after tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The effect in fiscal 2012 was an increase in other liabilities of $64 and an increase of $48, after tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	Changes in the program's benefit obligation for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013 are as follows:
		Nov. 30, 2014			Nov. 30, 2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	332		$	450
	Actuarial gain		(14	)		(108	)
	Interest cost		4			16
	Service cost		1			7
	Benefits paid		—			—
	Amortization of actuarial gain		(14	)		(33	)
	Curtailment gain		(309	)		—
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	—		$	332
	Griffin's liability for postretirement benefits, included in other liabilities, as of November 30, 2013 was attributed to the following:
	Retirees	$	—
	Fully eligible active participants		230
	Other active participants		102
	Liability for postretirement benefits	$	332
	The components of Griffin's postretirement benefits (income) expense are as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	1		$	7		$	9
	Interest		4			16			17
	Amortization of actuarial gain		(14	)		(33	)		(39	)
	Curtailment gain		(309	)		—			—
	Total income		(318	)		(10	)		(13	)
	Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(14	)		(108	)		77
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(332	)	$	(118	)	$	64
	A discount rate of 4.60% was used to compute the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations prior to the program termination in fiscal 2014 and at November 30, 2013. The discount rate used was based on the spot rate of the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve, which was used to discount the projected cash flows of the program. Discount rates of 4.60%, 3.59% and 4.50% were used to compute the net periodic benefit expense for fiscal 2014 through the termination of the postretirement benefits program, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity	11. Stockholders' Equity
	Per Share Results
	Basic and diluted results per share were based on the following:
			For the Fiscal Years Ended,
			Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
			2014			2013			2012
	(Loss) income from continuing operations for computation of basic and diluted per share results, net of tax		$	(1,248	)	$	1,910		$	196
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations for computation of basic and diluted per share results, net of tax			144			(7,731			770
								)
	Net (loss) income		$	(1,104	)	$	(5,821	)	$	966
	Weighted average shares outstanding for computation of basic per share results			5,148,000			5,144,000			5,138,000
	Incremental shares from assumed exercise of Griffin stock options (a)			—			8,000			5,000
	Adjusted weighted average shares for computation of diluted per share results			5,148,000			5,152,000			5,143,000
	(a)	Incremental shares from the assumed exercise of Griffin stock options are not included in periods where inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. Such assessment is based on income (loss) from continuing operations when net income includes discontinued operations. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014, the incremental shares from the assumed exercise of stock options would have been 11,000 shares.
	Griffin Stock Option Plan
	The Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. 2009 Stock Option Plan (the "2009 Stock Option Plan") makes available options to purchase 386,926 shares of Griffin common stock, including 161,926 options to purchase the 161,926 shares that were available for issuance under Griffin's prior stock option plan. The Compensation Committee of Griffin's Board of Directors administers the 2009 Stock Option Plan. Options granted under the 2009 Stock Option Plan may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options granted at fair market value on the date approved by Griffin's Compensation Committee. Vesting of all of Griffin's stock options is solely based upon service requirements and does not contain market or performance conditions.
	Stock options granted expire ten years from the grant date. In accordance with the 2009 Stock Option Plan, stock options granted to non-employee directors upon their initial election to the board of directors are fully exercisable immediately upon the date of the option grant. Stock options granted to non-employee directors upon their reelection to the board of directors vest on the second anniversary from the date of grant. Stock options granted to employees vest in equal installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries from the date of grant. None of the stock options outstanding at November 30, 2014 may be exercised as stock appreciation rights.
	The following options were granted by Griffin under the 2009 Stock Option Plan to non-employee directors either upon their initial election or their re-election to Griffin's Board of Directors:
	For the Fiscal Years Ended,
	November 30, 2014						November 30, 2013						December 1, 2012
	Number of			Fair Value per			Number of			Fair Value per			Number of			Fair Value per
	Shares			Option at			Shares			Option at			Shares			Option at
				Grant Date						Grant Date						Grant Date
		8,532		$	12.42			8,112		$	12.94			10,996		$10.66 - $14.89
	The fair values were estimated as of the date of each grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following assumptions were used in determining the fair values of each option:
			For the Fiscal Years Ended,
			Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
			2014			2013			2012
	Expected volatility			38.9	%		40.3	%	39.6% - 41.1%
	Range of risk free interest rates			2.16	%		1.33	%	1.02% - 1.19%
	Expected option term (in years)			8.5			8.5		8.5
	Annual dividend yield			0.7	%		0.7	%	0% - 0.7%
	Number of option holders at November 30, 2014			14
	Compensation expense and related tax benefits for stock options were as follows:
			For the Fiscal Years Ended,
			Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
			2014			2013			2012
	Compensation expense—continuing operations		$	338		$	415		$	545
	Compensation expense—discontinued operations			(130	)		52			59
	Net compensation expense		$	208		$	467		$	604
	Related tax benefit—continuing operations		$	78		$	109		$	143
	Related tax benefit—discontinued operations			(15	)		5			5
	Net related tax benefit		$	63		$	114		$	148
	For all years presented, forfeiture rates used for directors were 0%, forfeiture rates used for executives ranged from 22.6% to 25.8% and forfeiture rates used for employees ranged from 30.3% to 46.6%. These rates were utilized based on the historical activity of the grantees.
	As of November 30, 2014, the unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options that will be recognized during future periods is as follows:
	Fiscal 2015		$	153
	Fiscal 2016		$	33
	The total grant date fair value of options vested during fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was $664, $466 and $523, respectively. The intrinsic value of options exercised in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was $10, $114 and $49, respectively.
	A summary of the activity under the 2009 Griffin Stock Option Plan is as follows:
			Options			Weighted Avg.
						Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 3, 2011			244,518		$	29.79
	Granted			10,996			25.45
	Exercised			(6,741	)		17.8
	Forfeited			(4,932	)		32.43
	Outstanding at December 1, 2012			243,841			29.88
	Granted			8,112			29.58
	Exercised			(6,776	)		11.81
	Forfeited			(5,500	)		31.12
	Outstanding at November 30, 2013			239,677			30.35
	Granted			8,532			28.12
	Exercised			(3,208	)		24.94
	Forfeited			(23,000	)		30.27
	Outstanding at November 30, 2014			222,001		$	30.35
Range of Exercise Prices for Vested		Outstanding at			Weighted Avg.			Weighted Avg.			Total Intrinsic
and Nonvested Options		Nov. 30, 2014			Exercise Price			Remaining			Value
								Contractual Life
								(in years)
$23.00 - $28.00			18,068		$	25.45			6.0			44
$28.00 - $32.00			120,858		$	28.90			6.2			—
$32.00 - $39.00			83,075		$	33.52			3.9			—
			222,001		$	30.35			5.3		$	44
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
As of November 30, 2014, Griffin held 1,952,462 shares of common stock in Centaur Media and accounts for its investment in Centaur Media as an available-for-sale security under ASC 320-10. Accordingly, the investment in Centaur Media is carried at its fair value on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet, with increases or decreases recorded, net of tax, as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Upon the sale of shares in Centaur Media, the change, net of tax, in the value of the shares of Centaur Media that were sold during the time Griffin held those shares is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and included in Griffin's consolidated statement of operations. In fiscal 2014, $204 was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss as a result of the sale of 500,000 shares of Centaur common stock. In fiscal 2013, $716 was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss as a result of the sale of 2,824,688 shares of Centaur common stock. There were no sales of Centaur common stock in fiscal 2012.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, and activity for the period, is comprised of the following:
		Unrealized			Unrealized gain			Actuarial gain			Total
		loss on cash			on investment			on postretirement
		flow hedges			in Centaur Media			benefit program
Balance November 30, 2013		$	(1,401	)	$	648		$	304		$	(449	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(695			185						(510
				)					—				)
Amounts reclassified			632			(204	)		(304	)		124
Net current year activity for other comprehensive loss			(63	)		(19	)		(304	)		(386	)
Balance November 30, 2014		$	(1,464	)	$	629		$	—		$	(835	)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income are as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		November 30, 2014									November 30, 2013									December 1, 2012
		Pre-Tax			Tax			Net-of-Tax			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net-of-Tax			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net-of-Tax
					(Expense)									(Expense)									(Expense)
					Benefit									Benefit									Benefit
Reclassifications included in net (loss) income:
Realized gain on sale of Centaur Media (gain on sale)		$	(321	)	$	117		$	(204	)	$	(1,099	)	$	383		$	(716	)	$	—		$	—		$	—
Termination of postretirement benefits program ($283 net of tax to discontinued operations, $21 net of tax to general and administrative expenses)			(485	)		181			(304	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Loss on cash flow hedges (interest expense)			1,003			(371	)		632			810			(300	)		510			666			(246	)		420
Total reclassifications included in net (loss) income			197			(73	)		124			(289	)		83			(206	)		666			(246	)		420
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for the increase in fair value			358			(125	)		233			481			(169	)		312			1,111			(389	)		722
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for the (decrease) increase in exchange gain			(73	)		25			(48	)		(1	)		(1	)		(2	)		110			(38	)		72
(Decrease) increase in fair value adjustment on Griffin's cash flow hedges			(1,103	)		408			(695	)		159			(59	)		100			(1,442	)		533			(909	)
Actuarial (loss) gain on postretirement benefits program			—			—			—			108			(40	)		68			(77	)		29			(48	)
Total change in other comprehensive (loss) income			(818	)		308			(510	)		747			(269	)		478			(298	)		135			(163	)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income		$	(621	)	$	235		$	(386	)	$	458		$	(186	)	$	272		$	368		$	(111	)	$	257
Cash Dividends
In fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, Griffin declared annual dividends of $0.20 per common share in each year, which were paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively.
Treasury Stock
In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, Griffin did not receive any shares of its common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options. In fiscal 2012, Griffin received 1,355 shares of its common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options. The shares received were recorded as treasury stock, which resulted in an increase in treasury stock of $40.

Operating_Leases

Operating Leases	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Operating Leases
Operating Leases	12. Operating Leases
	Griffin's rental revenue reflects the leasing of industrial, flex and office space and the leasing of nursery growing facilities in Connecticut and Florida previously used by Imperial. Future minimum rental payments, including expected tenant reimbursements, to be received under noncancelable leases as of November 30, 2014 were:
	2015	$	19,971
	2016		17,771
	2017		17,272
	2018		14,546
	2019		12,519
	Later years		28,022
		$	110,101
	All future minimum rental payments, principally for Griffin's corporate headquarters, under noncancelable leases, as lessee, as of November 30, 2014 were:
	2015	$	179
	2016		149
	Total minimum lease payments	$	328
	Total rental expense for all operating leases, as lessee, in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 was $210, $242 and $247, respectively.

Supplemental_Financial_Stateme

Supplemental Financial Statement Information	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Supplemental Financial Statement Information
Supplemental Financial Statement Information	13. Supplemental Financial Statement Information
	Other Assets
	Griffin's other assets are comprised of the following:
		Nov. 30, 2014		Nov. 30, 2013
	Deferred leasing costs	$	3,945	$	3,598
	Deferred rent receivable		3,454		3,553
	Prepaid expenses		2,133		2,065
	Accounts receivable		1,343		258
	Mortgage escrows		1,073		1,032
	Deferred financing costs		727		903
	Intangible assets, net of amortization		506		684
	Other		1,035		1,541
	Total other assets	$	14,216	$	13,634
	Griffin's intangible assets relate to the acquisition of real estate assets in previous years and consist of: (i) the value of in-place leases; and (ii) the value of the associated relationships with tenants. Intangible assets are shown net of amortization of $1,251 and $1,073 on November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively.
	Amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows:
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,		Nov. 30,		Dec. 1,
		2014		2013		2012
	Amortization expense	$	178	$	171	$	200
	Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets over each of the next five fiscal years is:
	2015	$	166
	2016		77
	2017		44
	2018		27
	2019		27
	Deferred Revenue on Land Sale
	Included in deferred revenue on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2014 is approximately $3,195 related to the Windsor Land Sale that will be recognized as road construction required by the terms of the Windsor Land Sale is completed (see Note 4).
	Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of:
		November 30,		November 30,
		2014		2013
	Accrued construction costs and retainage	$	1,910	$	813
	Trade payables		670		528
	Other accrued liabilities		371		505
	Accrued interest payable		312		322
	Accrued salaries, wages and other compensation		242		311
		$	3,505	$	2,479
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	Increases of $285, $480 and $1,221 in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively, in the fair value of Griffin's Investment in Centaur Media reflect the mark to market adjustment of this investment and did not affect Griffin's cash.
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to additions to real estate assets increased by $1,097 in fiscal 2014 and decreased by $129 in fiscal 2013.
	In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, Griffin did not receive any shares of its common stock either as consideration for the exercise of employee stock options or for payment of required income tax withholdings. In fiscal 2012, Griffin received, as consideration for the exercise of employee stock options, 1,355 shares of its common stock, but did not receive any shares of its common stock from employees in payment for required income tax withholdings. The common stock received is included in Treasury Stock on Griffin's consolidated balance sheets as of November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013.
	Griffin received income tax refunds of $61 and $56 in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. Griffin did not receive an income tax refund in fiscal 2012. Interest payments in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 were $3,860, $3,664 and $3,560, respectively, including capitalized interest of $580, $71 and $596 in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	14. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	Summarized quarterly financial data are presented below:
	2014 Quarters	1st			2nd			3rd			4th			Total
	Total revenue	$	5,059		$	5,341		$	6,099		$	7,720		$	24,219
	Operating income (loss)		(1,241	)		190			716			2,144			1,809
	(Loss) income from continuing operations		(1,098	)		(225	)		(198	)		273			(1,248	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operation		(272	)		390			26			—			144
	Net (loss) income		(1,370	)		165			(172	)		273			(1,104	)
	Per share results:
	Basic:
	(Loss) income from continuing operations		(0.21	)		(0.04	)		(0.04	)		0.05			(0.24	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operation		(0.06	)		0.07			0.01			—			0.03
	Basic net (loss) income per common share		(0.27	)		0.03			(0.03	)		0.05			(0.21	)
	Diluted:
	(Loss) income from continuing operations		(0.21	)		(0.04	)		(0.04	)		0.05			(0.24	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operation		(0.06	)		0.07			0.01			—			0.03
	Diluted net (loss) income per common share		(0.27	)		0.03			(0.03	)		0.05			(0.21	)
	2013 Quarters	1st			2nd			3rd			4th			Total
	Total revenue	$	5,625		$	6,388		$	5,504		$	8,009		$	25,526
	Operating income (loss)		(380	)		581			269			1,966			2,436
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		1,684			(394	)		(490	)		1,110			1,910
	(Loss) income from discontinued operation		(374	)		282			(439	)		(7,200	)		(7,731	)
	Net (loss) income		1,310			(112	)		(929	)		(6,090	)		(5,821	)
	Per share results:
	Basic:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		0.33			(0.08	)		(0.10	)		0.22			0.37
	(Loss) income from discontinued operation		(0.08	)		0.06			(0.08	)		(1.40	)		(1.50	)
	Basic net (loss) income per common share		0.25			(0.02	)		(0.18	)		(1.18	)		(1.13	)
	Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		0.33			(0.08	)		(0.10	)		0.22			0.37
	(Loss) income from discontinued operation		(0.08	)		0.06			(0.08	)		(1.40	)		(1.50	)
	Diluted net (loss) income per common share		0.25			(0.02	)		(0.18	)		(1.18	)		(1.13	)
	Property sales revenue in Griffin's 2014 fourth quarter consolidated statement of operations includes $1,831 for the amount of revenue recognized on the Windsor Land Sale.
	In the fiscal 2013 fourth quarter, based on the terms of the Imperial Sale, Griffin recorded an inventory charge of $10,400 which is reflected in the loss from discontinued operation. Also, property sales revenue in Griffin's fiscal 2013 fourth quarter consolidated statement of operations reflects $2,668 from the Windsor Land Sale.
	The sum of the four quarters earnings per share data may not equal the annual earnings per share data due to the requirement that each period be calculated separately.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies	15. Commitments and Contingencies
	As of November 30, 2014, Griffin had committed purchase obligations of approximately $6,492, principally for the construction of Griffin Land's approximately 280,000 square foot industrial building in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania and the development of other Griffin properties.
	In the fiscal 2014 third quarter, Griffin entered into an agreement to sell approximately 29 acres of an approximately 45 acre land parcel of the undeveloped land in Griffin Center for a purchase price of a minimum of $3,250, subject to adjustment based on the actual number of acres conveyed. Completion of this transaction is subject to significant contingencies, including due diligence by the purchaser which does not expire until fiscal 2016, and there is no guarantee that this transaction will be completed under the current terms, or at all.
	Griffin is involved, as a defendant, in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these matters is not expected to be material, individually or in the aggregate, to Griffin's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events.
Subsequent Events	16. Subsequent Events
	In accordance with FASB ASC 855, "Subsequent Events," Griffin has evaluated all events or transactions occurring after November 30, 2014, the balance sheet date, and noted that there have been no such events or transactions which would require recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended November 30, 2014, other than the disclosures herein.
	On December 31, 2014, two subsidiaries of Griffin closed on the refinancing of a nonrecourse mortgage loan with First Niagara Bank that was originally due September 1, 2023. The new mortgage is for $21,600, has a ten-year term, and is collateralized by a 228,000 square foot industrial building in Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania along with an adjacent 303,000 square foot industrial building (see Note 8).

Schedule_IIValuation_and_Quali

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
	Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
	(dollars in thousands)
	Description		Balance at		Charged to			Charged to		Deductions			Balance at
			Beginning		Cost and			Other		From			End of
			of Year		Expenses			Accounts		Reserves			Year
	For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014
	Reserves:
	Uncollectible accounts—trade		$	134		(101	)		—		33	(1)	$	—
	Inventories		$	10,854		—			—		10,854	(2)	$	—
	Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset		$	379		16			—		—		$	395
	For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013
	Reserves:
	Uncollectible accounts—trade		$	128		37			13		44	(1)	$	134
	Inventories		$	432		10,900			11		489	(2)	$	10,854
	Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset		$	319		60			—		—		$	379
	For the fiscal year ended December 1, 2012
	Reserves:
	Uncollectible accounts—trade		$	131		26			21		50	(1)	$	128
	Inventories		$	1,242		380			55		1,245	(2)	$	432
	Valuation allowance on deferred tax asset		$	290		29			—		—		$	319
	Notes:
	-1	Accounts receivable written off or reclassified.
	-2	Inventories disposed.

Schedule_IIIReal_Estate_and_Ac

Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation	Schedule III—Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
	November 30, 2014
	(dollars in thousands)
						Initial Cost					Cost		Gross Amount at November 30, 2014
											Capitalized
											Subsequent to
											Acquisition
	Description		Encumbrances			Land			Bldg. &		Improvements		Land		Land		Bldg. & Bldg.		Tenant		Development		Total		Accumulated			Date of	Date of	Depr.
									Improve.						Improvements		Improvements		Improvements		Costs				Depreciation			Construction	Acquisition	Life
	Undeveloped Land		$	—		$	2,636		$	—	$	691	$	2,636	$	691	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	3,327	$	(250	)
	New England Tradeport
	Windsor/E. Granby, CT
	Undeveloped portion			—			981			—		3,428		981		—		—		—		3,428		4,409		—
	Industrial Buildings			7,691	(c)		8			—		4,342		8		509		3,486		347		—		4,350		(3,137	)	1978		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—	(a)		4			1,722		891		4		751		1,835		27		—		2,617		(1,708	)	1982	1989	40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—	(a)		13			—		7,242		13		522		5,515		1,186		19		7,255		(1,803	)	2008		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—			9			—		3,915		9		316		3,449		131		19		3,924		(1,938	)	1998		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			6,533			12			—		8,193		12		345		5,136		2,712		—		8,205		(5,418	)	1999		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—	(a)		7			—		3,313		7		11		3,051		251		—		3,320		(1,429	)	2001		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			18,189			13			—		5,606		13		22		5,021		563		—		5,619		(2,087	)	2003		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—	(a)		16			—		7,489		16		1		6,893		595		—		7,505		(2,570	)	2006		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—	(a)		15			—		9,979		15		28		7,595		—		2,356		9,994		(2,395	)	2005		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			10,888			57			—		15,999		57		1,028		13,874		1,097		—		16,056		(2,771	)	2009		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—			20			—		8,374		20		563		7,538		273		—		8,394		(1,825	)	2007		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—			12			—		6,928		12		448		6,263		217		—		6,940		(1,669	)	2007		40 yrs.
	Griffin Center
	Windsor, CT
	Undeveloped portion			—			285			—		629		285		—		—		—		629		914		—
	Industrial Building			7,750			19			—		8,210		19		145		8,065		—		—		8,229		(2,841	)	2001		40 yrs.
	Restaurant Building			—			1			—		2,161		1		261		1,391		509		—		2,162		(1,396	)	1983		40 yrs.
	Office Building			—	(b)		17			—		5,865		17		420		4,257		1,188		—		5,882		(2,762	)	2002		40 yrs.
	Office Buildings			6,394	(c)		1,193			7,958		3,607		1,193		740		8,281		2,544		—		12,758		(5,038	)	1982/1987	2003	40 yrs.
	Griffin Center South
	Bloomfield, CT
	Undeveloped portion			—			42			—		347		42		—		—		—		347		389		—
	Office Building			—	(b)		5			—		4,050		5		576		2,887		587		—		4,055		(3,322	)	1977		40 yrs.
	Office Building			—	(b)		4			—		2,777		4		269		1,962		546		—		2,781		(1,892	)	1985		40 yrs.
	Office Building			—	(b)		2			—		2,083		2		384		1,471		130		98		2,085		(1,394	)	1988		40 yrs.
	Office Building			—	(b)		2			—		1,534		2		189		1,345		—		—		1,536		(1,030	)	1989		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			—	(b)		1			—		765		1		86		679		—		—		766		(571	)	1988		40 yrs.
	Office Buildings			—	(b)(d)		10			—		4,020		10		268		3,344		408		—		4,030		(2,303	)	1991		40 yrs.
	Office Building			—	(b)		9			—		3,812		9		23		3,321		401		67		3,821		(1,585	)	2001		40 yrs.
	Bloomfield, CT
	Industrial Building			—			1,294			1,264		—		1,294		72		1,126		66		—		2,558		(326	)	1997	2007	40 yrs.
	Breinigsville, PA
	Industrial Building			3,848			832			4,560		—		832		349		3,990		221		—		5,392		(842	)		2010	40 yrs.
	Lehigh Valley Tradeport
	Lower Nazareth Township, PA
	Industrial Building			—			1,351			—		13,447		1,351		1,341		12,013		—		93		14,798		(171	)	2014		40 yrs.
	Industrial Building			8,875			721			—		11,176		721		1,359		8,996		821		—		11,897		(932	)	2012		40 yrs.
	Hanover Township, PA
	Industrial Building under Construction			—			7,641			—		1,301		7,641		—		—		—		1,301		8,942		—
	Granby, CT
	Nursery Farm			—			417			—		11,052		417		1,565		9,487		—		—		11,469		(10,032	)		1959	20 yrs.
	Quincy, FL
	Nursery Farm			—			279			—		9,485		279		4,089		5,396		—		—		9,764		(8,221	)		1959	20 yrs.
	Simsbury, CT
	Other			—			27			—		3,114		27		1,156		—		—		1,958		3,141		(1,104	)
			$	70,168		$	17,955		$	15,504	$	175,825	$	17,955	$	18,527	$	147,667	$	14,820	$	10,315	$	209,284	$	(74,762	)
	(a)	Building included in mortgage listed on line above.
	(b)	Buildings included as collateral for a $12.5 million revolving line of credit.
	(c)	Includes two buildings.
	(d)	Includes three buildings.
	Schedule III—Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (continued)
(dollars in thousands)
Fiscal year ended November 30, 2014
		Cost			Reserve
Balance at beginning of year		$	192,268		$	(61,078	)
Changes during the year:
Additions to real estate assets			16,680			—
Additions to reserve charged to costs and expense			—			(5,747	)
Reclassification to real estate held for sale			(9,236	)		—
Writeoff of fully depreciated assets			(1,913	)		1,913
Reclassification to real estate assets from property and equipment			11,485			(9,850	)
Balance at end of year		$	209,284		$	(74,762	)
Fiscal year ended November 30, 2013
		Cost			Reserve
Balance at beginning of year		$	180,671		$	(56,744	)
Changes during the year:
Additions to real estate assets			13,769			—
Additions to reserve charged to costs and expense			—			(5,545	)
Reclassification to real estate held for sale			(962	)		1
Writeoff of fully depreciated assets			(1,210	)		1,210
Balance at end of year		$	192,268		$	(61,078	)
Fiscal year ended December 1, 2012
		Cost			Reserve
Balance at beginning of year		$	168,160		$	(51,865	)
Changes during the year:
Additions to real estate assets			13,557			—
Additions to reserve charged to costs and expense			—			(5,237	)
Reclassification to real estate held for sale			(693	)		5
Writeoff of fully depreciated assets			(353	)		353
Balance at end of year		$	180,671		$	(56,744	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. ("Griffin") reflect Griffin's real estate business, which is conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary, Griffin Land, LLC ("Griffin Land") and Griffin's landscape nursery business, conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. ("Imperial") which is reported as a discontinued operation (see below). Griffin Land is principally in the business of developing, managing and leasing industrial and commercial properties. Periodically, Griffin Land may sell certain portions of its undeveloped land that it has owned for an extended time period and the use of which is not consistent with Griffin Land's core development and leasing strategy.
	Imperial was engaged in growing landscape nursery plants in containers for sale to independent retail garden centers and rewholesalers, whose main customers are landscape contractors. Imperial's operations are reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as a discontinued operation due to the sale, effective January 8, 2014, of its inventory and certain of its assets (the "Imperial Sale") to Monrovia Connecticut LLC ("Monrovia"), a subsidiary of Monrovia Nursery Company (see Note 2). Concurrent with the Imperial Sale, a subsidiary of Griffin and Imperial entered into a long-term lease with Monrovia for Imperial's Connecticut production nursery. As the growing operations of Imperial are reflected as a discontinued operation in Griffin's consolidated financial statements, Griffin's continuing operations presented in the accompanying financial statements solely reflect its real estate business and, therefore, industry segment information is not presented. Accordingly, certain prior period amounts in Griffin's consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation which better reflects Griffin's real estate business, including presentation of an unclassified balance sheet consistent with real estate industry practice. Certain parts of Imperial's prior year results, such as rental revenue and expense related to the leasing of Imperial's Florida farm to another grower and certain expenses related to the property and equipment of Imperial's Connecticut farm, which continues to be owned by Griffin and leased to Monrovia, are included in Griffin's continuing operations. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year
	Through the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013 ("fiscal 2013"), Griffin reported on a 52-53 week fiscal year that ended on the Saturday nearest November 30 and included four quarters of 13 weeks each. Starting in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014 ("fiscal 2014"), Griffin is reporting on a twelve month fiscal year that ends on November 30.
Real Estate Assets	Real Estate Assets
	Real estate assets are recorded at cost, except when real estate assets are acquired that meet the definition of a business combination in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC 805-10, "Business Combinations," and are recorded at fair value. Interest, property taxes, insurance and other costs directly related to a project are capitalized during the construction period of major facilities and land improvements. The capitalized costs are recorded as part of the asset to which they relate and are amortized over the asset's useful life. Depreciation is determined on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful asset lives for financial reporting purposes and principally on accelerated methods for tax purposes. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
	Griffin classifies a property as "held for sale" when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the property; (2) the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell, have been initiated; (4) the sale of the property is probable and is expected to be completed within one year or the property is under a contract to be sold; (5) the property is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions necessary to complete the plan of sale indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. When all of these criteria have been met, the property is classified as "held for sale." When a property classified as held for sale has separate cash inflows and outflows, its operations, including any interest expense directly attributable to it, are classified as a discontinued operation in Griffin's consolidated statements of operations, and amounts for all prior periods presented are reclassified from continuing operations to discontinued operations. Depreciation of assets ceases upon designation of a property as "held for sale."
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents are composed of highly liquid investments and money market funds with an initial maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. At November 30, 2014 and November 30, 2013, $16,433 and $175, respectively, of the cash and cash equivalents included on Griffin's consolidated balance sheets were held in cash equivalents.
Investments	Investments
	Griffin's investment in the common stock of Centaur Media plc ("Centaur Media") is accounted for as an available-for-sale security under FASB ASC 320-10, "Investments—Debt and Equity Securities" ("ASC 320-10"), whereby increases or decreases in the fair value of this investment, net of income taxes, along with the effect of changes in the foreign currency exchange rate, net of income taxes, are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
	Griffin's investment in Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp. ("SNHC") was accounted for under the cost method of accounting for investments. Griffin sold its entire investment in SNHC in fiscal 2013 (see Note 5).
Inventories	Inventories
	Griffin's inventories reflected nursery stock and material and supplies of Imperial and were stated at the lower of cost, using the average cost method, or market. Abnormal costs of idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs and spoilage were treated as period costs. As of November 30, 2013, the carrying value of inventory was reduced to its fair value, which was the net realizable value based on the sale of the inventories, effective January 8, 2014, under the terms of the Imperial Sale (see Note 2).
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	Griffin accounts for stock options at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 718, "Compensation—Stock Compensation" and FASB ASC 505-50, "Equity—Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees." For stock options that have graded vesting features, Griffin recognizes compensation cost over the requisite service period separately for each tranche of the award as though they were, in substance, multiple awards. Griffin determines its accumulated windfall tax benefits using the short-cut method.
Postretirement Benefits	Postretirement Benefits
	In fiscal 2014, Griffin terminated its postretirement benefit program (see Note 10). Griffin had accounted for postretirement benefits in accordance with FASB ASC 715-10, "Compensation—Retirement Benefits" ("ASC 715-10"). This guidance requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income. This guidance also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, with limited exceptions.
Impairment of Investments in Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Investments in Long-Lived Assets
	Griffin reviews annually, as well as when conditions may indicate, its long-lived assets to determine if there are indicators of impairment, such as a prolonged vacancy in one of its properties. If indicators of impairment are present, Griffin evaluates the carrying value of the assets in relation to the operating performance and expected future undiscounted cash flows or the estimated fair value based on expected future cash flows of the underlying assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of an asset, Griffin would reduce the carrying value of a long-lived asset to its fair value if that asset's fair value is determined to be less than its carrying value.
	Griffin also reviews annually, as well as when conditions may indicate, the recoverability of its development costs, including expected remediation costs on projects that are included in real estate assets. To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a project, including development costs, an impairment loss would be recorded.
	There were no impairment losses recorded in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012.
Revenue and Gain Recognition	Revenue and Gain Recognition
	In the real estate business, revenue includes rental revenue from Griffin Land's commercial and industrial properties and proceeds from property sales other than those that are reported as a discontinued operation. Rental revenue is accounted for on a straight line basis over the applicable lease term in accordance with FASB ASC 840-10, "Leases." Gains on property sales are recognized in accordance with FASB ASC 360-20, "Property, Plant, and Equipment—Real Estate Sales," based on the specific terms of each sale. When the percentage of completion method is used to account for a sale of real estate, costs included in determining the percentage of completion include the costs of the land sold, allocated master planning costs, selling and transaction costs and estimated future costs related to the land sold.
	The growing operations of the landscape nursery business are reflected as a discontinued operation in the consolidated statements of operations. Sales and the related costs of sales were recognized upon shipment of products. Sales returns were not material.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Griffin provides for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability method, and records deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the tax rates that are anticipated to be in effect when these differences reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when it is necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts for which realization is more likely than not. Griffin and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.
	Griffin evaluates each tax position taken in its tax returns and recognizes a liability for any tax position deemed less likely than not to be sustained under examination by the relevant taxing authorities. Griffin has analyzed its federal and significant state filing positions with respect to FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740-10"). Griffin believes that its income tax filing positions will be sustained on examination and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change on its financial statements. As a result, no accrual for uncertain income tax positions has been recorded pursuant to ASC 740-10.
	Griffin's policy for recording interest and penalties, related to uncertain tax positions, is to record such items as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets
	Griffin accounts for intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC 350-10 "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other." Griffin's intangible assets consist of: (i) the value of in-place leases; and (ii) the value of the associated relationships with tenants. These intangible assets were recorded in connection with Griffin's acquisitions of real estate assets. Amortization of the value of in-place leases, included in depreciation and amortization expense, is on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Amortization of the value of customer relationships with tenants, included in depreciation and amortization expense, is on a straight-line basis over the lease terms and anticipated renewal periods.
Environmental Matters	Environmental Matters
	Environmental expenditures related to land and buildings are expensed or capitalized as appropriate, depending upon their future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and that do not have future economic benefit, are expensed. Expenditures that create future benefit or contribute to future revenue generation are capitalized. Liabilities related to future remediation costs are recorded when environmental assessments and/or cleanups are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements	Interest Rate Swap Agreements
	As of November 30, 2014, Griffin is a party to several interest rate swap agreements to hedge its interest rate exposures. Griffin does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. Griffin applies FASB ASC 815-10, "Derivatives and Hedging," ("ASC 815-10") as amended, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. ASC 815-10 requires Griffin to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. The changes in the fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are measured in accordance with ASC 815-10 and reflected in the carrying values of the interest rate swap agreements on Griffin's consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair values are based primarily on projected future swap rates.
	Griffin applies cash flow hedge accounting to its interest rate swap agreements that are designated as hedges of the variability of future cash flows from floating rate liabilities based on benchmark interest rates. The changes in fair values of Griffin's interest rate swap agreements are recorded as components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") in stockholders' equity, to the extent they are effective. Any ineffective portions of the changes in fair values of these instruments would be recorded as interest expense or interest income.
Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations	Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations
	Griffin accounts for its conditional asset retirement obligations in accordance with FASB ASC 410-10, "Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations," which requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value can be reasonably estimated even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. The conditional asset retirement obligations relate principally to tobacco barns and other structures on Griffin's land holdings that contain asbestos, primarily in roofing materials. These structures remain from the tobacco growing operations of former affiliates of Griffin, are not material to Griffin's operations and do not have any book value.
Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock
	Treasury stock is recorded at cost as a reduction of stockholders' equity on Griffin's consolidated balance sheets.
Income (Loss) Per Share	Income (Loss) Per Share
	Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations and discontinued operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The calculation of diluted income (loss) per common share reflects adjusting Griffin's outstanding shares assuming the exercise of all potentially dilutive Griffin stock options.
Risks and Uncertainties	Risks and Uncertainties
	Griffin's future results of operations involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could affect Griffin's future operating results and cause actual results to vary materially from historical results include, but are not limited to, the geographical concentration of Griffin Land's real estate holdings, credit risk and market risk.
	Griffin Land's real estate holdings are mostly concentrated in the Hartford, Connecticut area. In fiscal 2010, Griffin Land started the expansion of its real estate holdings outside of the Hartford area by purchasing an industrial building and undeveloped land in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Griffin Land subsequently developed two industrial buildings on the land acquired, acquired additional undeveloped land in the Lehigh Valley and started construction of an industrial building on the most recently acquired land. The market and economic challenges experienced by the U.S. economy as a whole or the local economic conditions in the markets in which Griffin holds properties may affect Griffin Land's real estate business. Griffin's results of operations, financial condition or ability to expand may be adversely affected as a result of: (i) unfavorable financial changes to Griffin Land's tenants which may result in tenant defaults under leases; (ii) significant job losses impacting the demand for rental space causing market rental rates and property values to be negatively impacted; (iii) the ability of Griffin to borrow on terms and conditions that it finds acceptable; and (iv) possibly reduced values of Griffin Land's properties potentially limiting the proceeds from a sale of its properties or from debt financing collateralized by its properties.
	Griffin Land conducts business based on evaluations of its prospective tenants financial condition and generally does not require collateral. These evaluations require significant judgment and are based on multiple sources of information.
	Griffin does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. Griffin applies ASC 815-10, which established accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. This accounting guidance requires Griffin to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets and to measure those instruments at fair value. The estimated fair value is based primarily on projected future swap rates.
	Griffin applies cash flow hedge accounting to its interest rate swap agreements designated as hedges of the variability of future cash flows from floating rate liabilities due to the benchmark interest rates. Changes in the fair value of these interest rate swaps are recorded as a component of AOCI in stockholders' equity, to the extent they are effective. Amounts recorded to AOCI are then reclassified to interest expense as interest on the hedged borrowing is recognized. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of these instruments would be recorded to interest expense.
	Griffin's cash equivalents consist of overnight investments that are not significantly exposed to interest rate risk.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Griffin's significant estimates include the impairment evaluation of long-lived assets, deferred income taxes, derivative financial instruments, revenue and gain recognition including the estimated costs to complete required offsite improvements related to land sold and assumptions used in determining stock compensation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance. This standard requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Additionally, the update requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. This update will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2018 and early adoption is not permitted. Certain aspects of this new standard may affect revenue recognition of Griffin Land. Griffin is evaluating the impact that the application of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists," which provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. Specifically, this update requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. This update was effective for Griffin in the 2014 second quarter. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on Griffin's financial position or results of operations.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations
Schedule of revenue and pretax income (loss) from Imperial's growing operations, reflected as a discontinued operation in entity's consolidated statements of operations
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net sales and other revenue	$	159		$	13,220		$	12,376
	Pretax income (loss)	$	259		$	(12,142	)	$	(1,260	)
Schedule of pretax loss from the Imperial Sale	The pretax loss from the Imperial Sale in fiscal 2014 was as follows:
	Consideration received from Monrovia, reflecting cash of $732 and note receivable of $4,036	$	4,768
	Carrying value of assets sold, principally inventory		(4,561	)
	Curtailment of employee benefit plan (see Note 10)		309
	Severance and other expenses		(563	)
	Pretax loss on sale	$	(47	)
Schedule of assets and liabilities of Imperial's growing operation, reflected as a discontinued operation
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		2014			2013
	Assets:
	Accounts receivable	$	—		$	1,151
	Inventories		—			4,116
	Other		36			360
		$	36		$	5,627
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	8		$	768

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Fair Value
Schedule of financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		November 30, 2014
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Marketable equity securities	$	1,924	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swap asset	$	—	$	8	$	—
	Interest rate swap liabilities	$	—	$	2,330	$	—
		November 30, 2013
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Marketable equity securities	$	2,208	$	—	$	—
	Interest rate swap asset	$	—	$	63	$	—
	Interest rate swap liabilities	$	—	$	2,285	$	—
Schedule of carrying and estimated fair values of financial instruments
				November 30, 2014				November 30, 2013
		Fair Value		Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
		Hierarchy		Value		Fair Value		Value		Fair Value
		Level
	Financial assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		1	$	17,059	$	17,059	$	14,179	$	14,179
	Available-for-sale securities		1		1,924		1,924		2,208		2,208
	Interest rate swap		2		8		8		63		63
	Financial liabilities:
	Mortgage loans		2	$	70,168	$	71,014	$	66,708	$	67,931
	Interest rate swaps		2		2,330		2,330		2,285		2,285

Real_Estate_Assets_Tables

Real Estate Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Real estate assets
Schedule of real estate assets
		Estimated		Nov. 30, 2014			Nov. 30, 2013
		Useful Lives
	Land			$	17,955		$	17,507
	Land improvements	10 to 30 years			18,527			15,529
	Buildings and improvements	10 to 40 years			135,857			122,057
	Tenant improvements	Shorter of			14,820			16,126
		useful life or
		terms of related
		lease
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years			11,810			4,188
	Development costs				10,315			16,861
					209,284			192,268
	Accumulated depreciation				(74,762	)		(61,078	)
				$	134,522		$	131,190
Schedule of total depreciation expense and capitalized interest related to real estate assets, net
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Depreciation expense	$	5,747		$	5,545		$	5,237
	Capitalized interest	$	580		$	71		$	596
Held for Sale
Real estate assets
Schedule of real estate assets
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	286		$	30
	Development costs		9,657			1,074
		$	9,943		$	1,104

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Investments
Schedule of cost, unrealized gain and fair value of Griffin's investment in Centaur Media
		Nov. 30,		Nov. 30,
		2014		2013
	Fair value	$	1,924	$	2,208
	Cost		1,014		1,274
	Unrealized gain	$	910	$	934

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Property and Equipment
Schedule of property and equipment
		Estimated Useful	Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		Lives	2014			2013
	Land		$	—		$	437
	Land improvements	10 to 20 years		—			1,561
	Buildings and improvements	10 to 40 years		—			1,865
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years		1,218			12,135
				1,218			15,998
	Accumulated depreciation			(988	)		(14,048	)
			$	230		$	1,950

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Income Taxes
Schedule of income tax (provision) benefit in continuing operations
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Current state and local		—			—			—
	Deferred federal		356			(1,076	)		(172	)
	Deferred state and local		(452	)		84			(98	)
	Total income tax provision	$	(96	)	$	(992	)	$	(270	)
Schedule of other comprehensive (loss) income includes deferred tax (expense) benefit
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media plc	$	17		$	213		$	(427	)
	Measurement of the funded status of the defined postretirement plan		181			(40	)		29
	Fair value adjustment of Griffin's cash flow hedges		37			(359	)		287
	Total income tax benefit (expense) included in other comprehensive (loss) income	$	235		$	(186	)	$	(111	)
Schedule of differences between the income tax benefit at the United States statutory income tax rates and the actual income tax benefit on continuing operations
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Tax benefit (provision) at statutory rate	$	403		$	(1,016	)	$	(163	)
	State and local taxes, including valuation allowance, net of federal tax effect		(457	)		55			(64	)
	Permanent items		(43	)		(39	)		(50	)
	Other		1			8			7
	Total income tax provision	$	(96	)	$	(992	)	$	(270	)
Schedule of significant components of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	3,417		$	1,507
	Deferred revenue		2,836			485
	Retirement benefit plans		1,496			1,500
	Cash flow hedges		859			821
	Non-qualified stock options		794			733
	State net operating loss carryforwards		670			937
	Charitable contributions		239			243
	Conditional asset retirement obligations		112			114
	Inventories		—			4,397
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable		—			52
	Other		40			372
	Total deferred tax assets		10,463			11,161
	Valuation allowances		(395	)		(379	)
	Net deferred tax assets		10,068			10,782
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Real estate assets		(2,547	)		(3,272	)
	Deferred rent		(882	)		(926	)
	Prepaid insurance		(142	)		(180	)
	Property and equipment		(39	)		(104	)
	Investment in Centaur Media plc		(22	)		45
	Other		(440	)		(370	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(4,072	)		(4,807	)
	Net total deferred tax assets	$	5,996		$	5,975

Mortgage_Loans_Tables

Mortgage Loans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Mortgage Loans
Schedule of long- term debt
			Nov. 30,		Nov. 30,
			2014		2013
	6.30%, due May 1, 2014		$	—	$	99
	5.73%, due August 1, 2015			18,189		18,615
	8.13%, due April 1, 2016			—		3,603
	7.0%, due October 1, 2017			—		5,779
	Variable rate, due October 2, 2017*			6,394		6,563
	Variable rate, due February 1, 2019*			10,888		11,150
	Variable rate, due August 1, 2019*			7,691		7,869
	Variable rate, due January 27, 2020*			3,848		3,961
	Variable rate, due September 1, 2023*			8,875		9,069
	5.09%, due July 1, 2029			7,750		—
	5.09%, due July 1, 2029			6,533		—
	Total nonrecourse mortgage loans		$	70,168	$	66,708
	*	Griffin entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rates on these loans (see below).

Retirement_Benefits_Tables

Retirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Retirement Benefits
Schedule of change in benefit obligation
		Nov. 30, 2014			Nov. 30, 2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	332		$	450
	Actuarial gain		(14	)		(108	)
	Interest cost		4			16
	Service cost		1			7
	Benefits paid		—			—
	Amortization of actuarial gain		(14	)		(33	)
	Curtailment gain		(309	)		—
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	—		$	332
Schedule of liability for postretirement benefits
	Retirees	$	—
	Fully eligible active participants		230
	Other active participants		102
	Liability for postretirement benefits	$	332
Schedule of components of postretirement benefits (income) expense
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
		2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	1		$	7		$	9
	Interest		4			16			17
	Amortization of actuarial gain		(14	)		(33	)		(39	)
	Curtailment gain		(309	)		—			—
	Total income		(318	)		(10	)		(13	)
	Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(14	)		(108	)		77
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(332	)	$	(118	)	$	64

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity
Schedule of basic and diluted results per share
			For the Fiscal Years Ended,
			Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
			2014			2013			2012
	(Loss) income from continuing operations for computation of basic and diluted per share results, net of tax		$	(1,248	)	$	1,910		$	196
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations for computation of basic and diluted per share results, net of tax			144			(7,731			770
								)
	Net (loss) income		$	(1,104	)	$	(5,821	)	$	966
	Weighted average shares outstanding for computation of basic per share results			5,148,000			5,144,000			5,138,000
	Incremental shares from assumed exercise of Griffin stock options (a)			—			8,000			5,000
	Adjusted weighted average shares for computation of diluted per share results			5,148,000			5,152,000			5,143,000
	(a)	Incremental shares from the assumed exercise of Griffin stock options are not included in periods where inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. Such assessment is based on income (loss) from continuing operations when net income includes discontinued operations. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014, the incremental shares from the assumed exercise of stock options would have been 11,000 shares.
Schedule of options granted under 2009 Stock Option Plan to non-employee directors either upon their initial election or their reelection to Board of Directors and to employees
	For the Fiscal Years Ended,
	November 30, 2014						November 30, 2013						December 1, 2012
	Number of			Fair Value per			Number of			Fair Value per			Number of			Fair Value per
	Shares			Option at			Shares			Option at			Shares			Option at
				Grant Date						Grant Date						Grant Date
		8,532		$	12.42			8,112		$	12.94			10,996		$10.66 - $14.89
Schedule of assumptions used in determining fair values of each option
			For the Fiscal Years Ended,
			Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
			2014			2013			2012
	Expected volatility			38.9	%		40.3	%	39.6% - 41.1%
	Range of risk free interest rates			2.16	%		1.33	%	1.02% - 1.19%
	Expected option term (in years)			8.5			8.5		8.5
	Annual dividend yield			0.7	%		0.7	%	0% - 0.7%
Schedule of option holders
	Number of option holders at November 30, 2014			14
Schedule of compensation expense and related tax benefits for stock options
			For the Fiscal Years Ended,
			Nov. 30,			Nov. 30,			Dec. 1,
			2014			2013			2012
	Compensation expense—continuing operations		$	338		$	415		$	545
	Compensation expense—discontinued operations			(130	)		52			59
	Net compensation expense		$	208		$	467		$	604
	Related tax benefit—continuing operations		$	78		$	109		$	143
	Related tax benefit—discontinued operations			(15	)		5			5
	Net related tax benefit		$	63		$	114		$	148
Schedule of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options that will be recognized during future periods	As of November 30, 2014, the unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options that will be recognized during future periods is as follows:
	Fiscal 2015		$	153
	Fiscal 2016		$	33
Summary of the activity under the Griffin Stock Option Plan
			Options			Weighted Avg.
						Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 3, 2011			244,518		$	29.79
	Granted			10,996			25.45
	Exercised			(6,741	)		17.8
	Forfeited			(4,932	)		32.43
	Outstanding at December 1, 2012			243,841			29.88
	Granted			8,112			29.58
	Exercised			(6,776	)		11.81
	Forfeited			(5,500	)		31.12
	Outstanding at November 30, 2013			239,677			30.35
	Granted			8,532			28.12
	Exercised			(3,208	)		24.94
	Forfeited			(23,000	)		30.27
	Outstanding at November 30, 2014			222,001		$	30.35
Schedule of options by range of exercise prices
	Range of Exercise Prices for Vested		Outstanding at			Weighted Avg.			Weighted Avg.			Total Intrinsic
	and Nonvested Options		Nov. 30, 2014			Exercise Price			Remaining			Value
									Contractual Life
									(in years)
	$23.00 - $28.00			18,068		$	25.45			6.0			44
	$28.00 - $32.00			120,858		$	28.90			6.2			—
	$32.00 - $39.00			83,075		$	33.52			3.9			—
				222,001		$	30.35			5.3		$	44
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive loss, and activity
			Unrealized			Unrealized gain			Actuarial gain			Total
			loss on cash			on investment			on postretirement
			flow hedges			in Centaur Media			benefit program
	Balance November 30, 2013		$	(1,401	)	$	648		$	304		$	(449	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(695			185						(510
					)					—				)
	Amounts reclassified			632			(204	)		(304	)		124
	Net current year activity for other comprehensive loss			(63	)		(19	)		(304	)		(386	)
	Balance November 30, 2014		$	(1,464	)	$	629		$	—		$	(835	)
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
			For the Fiscal Years Ended,
			November 30, 2014									November 30, 2013									December 1, 2012
			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net-of-Tax			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net-of-Tax			Pre-Tax			Tax			Net-of-Tax
						(Expense)									(Expense)									(Expense)
						Benefit									Benefit									Benefit
	Reclassifications included in net (loss) income:
	Realized gain on sale of Centaur Media (gain on sale)		$	(321	)	$	117		$	(204	)	$	(1,099	)	$	383		$	(716	)	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Termination of postretirement benefits program ($283 net of tax to discontinued operations, $21 net of tax to general and administrative expenses)			(485	)		181			(304	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Loss on cash flow hedges (interest expense)			1,003			(371	)		632			810			(300	)		510			666			(246	)		420
	Total reclassifications included in net (loss) income			197			(73	)		124			(289	)		83			(206	)		666			(246	)		420
	Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for the increase in fair value			358			(125	)		233			481			(169	)		312			1,111			(389	)		722
	Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for the (decrease) increase in exchange gain			(73	)		25			(48	)		(1	)		(1	)		(2	)		110			(38	)		72
	(Decrease) increase in fair value adjustment on Griffin's cash flow hedges			(1,103	)		408			(695	)		159			(59	)		100			(1,442	)		533			(909	)
	Actuarial (loss) gain on postretirement benefits program			—			—			—			108			(40	)		68			(77	)		29			(48	)
	Total change in other comprehensive (loss) income			(818	)		308			(510	)		747			(269	)		478			(298	)		135			(163	)
	Total other comprehensive (loss) income		$	(621	)	$	235		$	(386	)	$	458		$	(186	)	$	272		$	368		$	(111	)	$	257

Operating_Leases_Tables

Operating Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Griffin Land's leases
Operating Leases
Schedule of future minimum rentals, including tenant reimbursements, to be received under noncancelable leases
	Future minimum rental payments, including expected tenant reimbursements, to be received under noncancelable leases as of November 30, 2014 were:
	2015	$	19,971
	2016		17,771
	2017		17,272
	2018		14,546
	2019		12,519
	Later years		28,022
		$	110,101
Corporate headquarters
Operating Leases
Schedule of future minimum rental payments	All future minimum rental payments, principally for Griffin's corporate headquarters, under noncancelable leases, as lessee, as of November 30, 2014 were:
	2015	$	179
	2016		149
	Total minimum lease payments	$	328

Supplemental_Financial_Stateme1

Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Supplemental Financial Statement Information
Schedule of other assets
		Nov. 30, 2014		Nov. 30, 2013
	Deferred leasing costs	$	3,945	$	3,598
	Deferred rent receivable		3,454		3,553
	Prepaid expenses		2,133		2,065
	Accounts receivable		1,343		258
	Mortgage escrows		1,073		1,032
	Deferred financing costs		727		903
	Intangible assets, net of amortization		506		684
	Other		1,035		1,541
	Total other assets	$	14,216	$	13,634
Schedule of amortization expense of intangible assets
		For the Fiscal Years Ended,
		Nov. 30,		Nov. 30,		Dec. 1,
		2014		2013		2012
	Amortization expense	$	178	$	171	$	200
Schedule of estimated amortization expense of intangible assets
	2015	$	166
	2016		77
	2017		44
	2018		27
	2019		27
Schedule of accounts payable and accrued liabilities
		November 30,		November 30,
		2014		2013
	Accrued construction costs and retainage	$	1,910	$	813
	Trade payables		670		528
	Other accrued liabilities		371		505
	Accrued interest payable		312		322
	Accrued salaries, wages and other compensation		242		311
		$	3,505	$	2,479

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation1

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
Summary of quarterly financial data
	2014 Quarters	1st			2nd			3rd			4th			Total
	Total revenue	$	5,059		$	5,341		$	6,099		$	7,720		$	24,219
	Operating income (loss)		(1,241	)		190			716			2,144			1,809
	(Loss) income from continuing operations		(1,098	)		(225	)		(198	)		273			(1,248	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operation		(272	)		390			26			—			144
	Net (loss) income		(1,370	)		165			(172	)		273			(1,104	)
	Per share results:
	Basic:
	(Loss) income from continuing operations		(0.21	)		(0.04	)		(0.04	)		0.05			(0.24	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operation		(0.06	)		0.07			0.01			—			0.03
	Basic net (loss) income per common share		(0.27	)		0.03			(0.03	)		0.05			(0.21	)
	Diluted:
	(Loss) income from continuing operations		(0.21	)		(0.04	)		(0.04	)		0.05			(0.24	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operation		(0.06	)		0.07			0.01			—			0.03
	Diluted net (loss) income per common share		(0.27	)		0.03			(0.03	)		0.05			(0.21	)
	2013 Quarters	1st			2nd			3rd			4th			Total
	Total revenue	$	5,625		$	6,388		$	5,504		$	8,009		$	25,526
	Operating income (loss)		(380	)		581			269			1,966			2,436
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		1,684			(394	)		(490	)		1,110			1,910
	(Loss) income from discontinued operation		(374	)		282			(439	)		(7,200	)		(7,731	)
	Net (loss) income		1,310			(112	)		(929	)		(6,090	)		(5,821	)
	Per share results:
	Basic:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		0.33			(0.08	)		(0.10	)		0.22			0.37
	(Loss) income from discontinued operation		(0.08	)		0.06			(0.08	)		(1.40	)		(1.50	)
	Basic net (loss) income per common share		0.25			(0.02	)		(0.18	)		(1.18	)		(1.13	)
	Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		0.33			(0.08	)		(0.10	)		0.22			0.37
	(Loss) income from discontinued operation		(0.08	)		0.06			(0.08	)		(1.40	)		(1.50	)
	Diluted net (loss) income per common share		0.25			(0.02	)		(0.18	)		(1.18	)		(1.13	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
	building	item
Fiscal Year
Length of fiscal year	12 months
Number of quarters in 13 weeks period		4
Length of period for 4 quarters		91 days
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Money market funds invested in U.S. Treasury obligations	$16,433	$175
Impairment of Investments in Long Lived Assets
Impairment losses	0	0	0
Income Taxes
Accrual for uncertain income tax positions	$0
Risks and uncertainties
Number of buildings built	2
Minimum
Fiscal Year
Length of fiscal year		364 days
Maximum
Fiscal Year
Length of fiscal year		371 days

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 18, 2014	Jan. 08, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Jan. 18, 2014	Jan. 08, 2014
		item
Discontinued operation
Net annual rent receivable for each of the first five years		$500					$500
Proceeds from sale of real estate assets		732	169
Property and Equipment, gross			1,218	15,998
Accumulated depreciation			988	14,048
Income statement disclosure
Reclassification of actuarial gains related to entity's postretirement benefits program			451
Pretax loss from the sale of assets
Consideration received			4,768
Carrying value of assets sold, principally inventory			-4,561
Curtailment of employee benefit plan			309
Severance and other expenses			-563
Pretax loss			-47
Present value		4,036					4,036
Assets:
Accounts receivable				1,151
Inventories				4,116
Other			36	360
Assets			36	5,627
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			8	768
Manchester, Connecticut warehouse
Discontinued operation
Selling expenses paid out of the proceeds			438
Selling expenses paid separately			25
Proceeds from sale of real estate assets			15,537
Pretax gain included in results for discontinued operations			2,886
Proceeds from property sale deposited in escrow account				15,562
Income statement disclosure
Rental revenue					273
Pre tax income (loss)					221
Imperial's landscape nursery business
Income statement disclosure
Net charge included in cost of sales			10,400
Increase in inventory reserves			500		380
Pretax loss from the sale of assets
Severance and other expenses		563
Imperial's landscape nursery business | Inventory and certain assets
Discontinued operation
Non-interest bearing note receivable		4,250					4,250
Number of installments in which promissory note will become due		2
Amount of promissory note receivable due on June 1, 2014		2,750					2,750
Amount of promissory note receivable due on June 1, 2015		1,500					1,500
Period of non-competition restrictions		4 years
Proceeds from sale of nursery inventory		732
Discount rate (as a percent)	7.00%
Income statement disclosure
Sales revenue			159	13,220	12,376
Pre tax income (loss)			259	-12,142	-1,260
Pretax loss from the sale of assets
Present value	4,036					4,036
Imperial's landscape nursery business | Connecticut production nursery
Discontinued operation
Lease period		10 years
Optional extension period of lease		15 years
Period during which purchase option is available		13 years
Price of land, land improvements and other operating assets under option to purchase		10,500					10,500
Price of a portion of land under option to purchase		7,000					7,000
Property and Equipment, gross	11,485					11,485
Accumulated depreciation	$9,850					$9,850

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Marketable equity securities	$1,924	$2,208
Interest rate swap asset	8	63
Interest rate swap liabilities	2,330	2,285
Recurring basis | Level 1
Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Marketable equity securities	1,924	2,208
Recurring basis | Level 2
Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Interest rate swap asset	8	63
Interest rate swap liabilities	$2,330	$2,285

Fair_Value_Details_2

Fair Value (Details 2) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial assets:
Available-for-sale securities	$1,924	$2,208
Interest rate swap	8	63
Financial liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	2,330	2,285
Carrying Value | Level 1
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	17,059	14,179
Available-for-sale securities	1,924	2,208
Carrying Value | Level 2
Financial assets:
Interest rate swap	8	63
Financial liabilities:
Mortgage debt	70,168	66,708
Interest rate swaps	2,330	2,285
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	17,059	14,179
Available-for-sale securities	1,924	2,208
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2
Financial assets:
Interest rate swap	8	63
Financial liabilities:
Mortgage debt	71,014	67,931
Interest rate swaps	$2,330	$2,285

Real_Estate_Assets_Details

Real Estate Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Jan. 08, 2014
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	$209,284,000	$192,268,000	$209,284,000	$192,268,000		$192,268,000
Accumulated depreciation	-74,762,000	-61,078,000	-74,762,000	-61,078,000		-61,078,000
Real estate assets, net	134,522,000	131,190,000	134,522,000	131,190,000		131,190,000
Depreciation expense			5,747,000	5,545,000	5,237,000
Capitalized interest			580,000	71,000	596,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,218,000	15,998,000	1,218,000	15,998,000		15,998,000
Accumulated depreciation	-988,000	-14,048,000	-988,000	-14,048,000		-14,048,000
Sales
Proceeds from land sale deposited in escrow		8,860,000		8,860,000		8,860,000
Revenue from sale of land	1,831,000	2,668,000
Deferred revenue that will be recognized as the construction of roadways connecting the land with existing town roads	8,349,000	8,467,000	8,349,000	8,467,000		8,467,000
Connecticut production nursery | Imperial's landscape nursery business
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, net	1,444,000		1,444,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross							11,485,000
Accumulated depreciation							-9,850,000
Windsor undeveloped land sale
Sales
Deferred revenue that will be recognized as the construction of roadways connecting the land with existing town roads	3,195,000		3,195,000
Held for Sale
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	9,943,000	1,104,000	9,943,000	1,104,000		1,104,000
Land
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	17,955,000	17,507,000	17,955,000	17,507,000		17,507,000
Land | Tradeport Undeveloped land sale
Sales
Number of acres sold					93
Proceeds from land sale deposited in escrow					6,929,000
Revenue from sale of land			2,668,000	2,474,000
Pretax gain on land sale			1,990,000	2,109,000
Proceeds from sale of undeveloped land					7,000,000
Pretax gain from sale of land recognized					3,942,000	6,051,000
Revenue from an amended agreement related to land sale				177,000
Cash received upon completion of the sewer line to service the land				177,000
Land | Windsor undeveloped land sale
Sales
Number of acres sold		90		90		90
Sale price		9,000,000		9,000,000		9,000,000
Area of land portion of which is to be sold (in acres)		253		253		253
Proceeds from land sale deposited in escrow		8,860,000		8,860,000		8,860,000
Percentage of cost incurred on sale of land	64.00%		64.00%
Percentage of total revenue and pretax gain on sale have been recognized			64.00%
Revenue from sale of land			3,105,000
Pretax gain on land sale			2,358,000
Deferred revenue that will be recognized as the construction of roadways connecting the land with existing town roads	3,195,000		3,195,000
Estimated pretax gain on sale that would be recognized after incurring total costs and recognizing total revenue			6,754,000
Land | Held for Sale
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	286,000	30,000	286,000	30,000		30,000
Land improvements
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	18,527,000	15,529,000	18,527,000	15,529,000		15,529,000
Land improvements | Minimum
Real estate assets
Estimated Useful Lives			10 years
Land improvements | Maximum
Real estate assets
Estimated Useful Lives			30 years
Buildings and improvements
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	135,857,000	122,057,000	135,857,000	122,057,000		122,057,000
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Real estate assets
Estimated Useful Lives			10 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Real estate assets
Estimated Useful Lives			40 years
Tenant improvements
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	14,820,000	16,126,000	14,820,000	16,126,000		16,126,000
Machinery and equipment
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	11,810,000	4,188,000	11,810,000	4,188,000		4,188,000
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Real estate assets
Estimated Useful Lives			3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Real estate assets
Estimated Useful Lives			20 years
Development costs
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	10,315,000	16,861,000	10,315,000	16,861,000		16,861,000
Development costs | Held for Sale
Real estate assets
Real estate assets, gross	$9,657,000	$1,074,000	$9,657,000	$1,074,000		$1,074,000

Real_Estate_Assets_Details_2

Real Estate Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2014
	acre	sqft
Acquisitions
Area, square feet		280,000
Undeveloped land in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania | Land
Acquisitions
Number of acres purchased	49
Cash paid	$7,119

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Investments
Shares of common stock held in Centaur Media	1,952,462		5,277,150
Shares of Centaur Media common stock sold	500,000	2,824,688
Proceeds from sale of shares	$566	$2,487
Pre-Tax Gain on sale of common stock in Centaur Media plc	318	1,088
Investment in Centaur Media
Dividend income	82	110	188
Fair value	1,924	2,208
Cost	1,014	1,274
Unrealized gain	$910	$934

Investments_Details_2

Investments (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Investments
Pre Tax Gain on sale of investment	$3,397
SNHC
Investments
Equity interest in cost method investment (as a percent)		14.00%
Total cash proceeds from sale of investment	3,418
Pre Tax Gain on sale of investment	$3,397

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Jan. 08, 2014
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment, gross	$1,218	$15,998
Accumulated depreciation	-988	-14,048
Property and Equipment, net	230	1,950
Depreciation expense	111	335	362
Land
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment, gross		437
Land improvements
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment, gross		1,561
Land improvements | Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Lives	10 years
Land improvements | Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Lives	20 years
Buildings and improvements
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment, gross		1,865
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Lives	10 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Lives	40 years
Machinery and equipment
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment, gross	1,218	12,135
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Lives	20 years
Imperial's landscape nursery business | Connecticut production nursery
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment, gross				11,485
Accumulated depreciation				-9,850
Property and Equipment, net				$1,635

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Income tax benefit (expense) on continuing operations
Current state and local	$375
Deferred federal	356	-1,076	-172
Deferred state and local	-452	84	-98
Total income tax (provision) benefit	-96	-992	-270
Income Taxes, additional disclosures
Unrecognized tax benefit	1,170
Reduction in deferred tax asset related to non-qualified stock options as a result of exercises and forfeitures on those options	4	0	38
Income tax expense (benefits) from discontinued operations	-115	4,411	-1,077
Effect on income tax benefit for valuation allowance	24	93	44
Federal income tax expense benefit of the change in valuation allowance	8	33	15
Deferred tax (expense) benefit included in other comprehensive (loss) income
Mark to market adjustments on Centaur Media plc	17	213	-427
Measurement of the funded status of the defined postretirement plan	181	-40	29
Fair value adjustment of Griffin's cash flow hedges	37	-359	287
Total income tax (expense) benefit included in other comprehensive (loss) income	235	-186	-111
Differences between income tax benefits at the United States statutory income tax rates and the actual income tax benefits on continuing operations
Tax (provision) benefit at statutory rate	403	-1,016	-163
State and local taxes, including valuation allowance, net of federal tax effect	-457	55	-64
Permanent items	-43	-39	-50
Other	1	8	7
Total income tax (provision) benefit	-96	-992	-270
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories		4,397
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	3,417	1,507
Retirement benefit plans	1,496	1,500
State net operating loss carryforwards	670	937
Cash flow hedges	859	821
Non-qualified stock options	794	733
Deferred revenue	2,836	485
Charitable contributions	239	243
Conditional asset retirement obligations	112	114
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable		52
Investment in Centaur Media plc	-22	45
Other	40	372
Total deferred tax assets	10,463	11,161
Valuation allowance	-395	-379
Net deferred tax assets	10,068	10,782
Deferred tax liabilities:
Real estate assets	-2,547	-3,272
Deferred rent	-882	-926
Prepaid insurance	-142	-180
Property and equipment	-39	-104
Other	-440	-370
Total deferred tax liabilities	-4,072	-4,807
Net total deferred tax assets	5,996	5,975
Deferred income taxes
Asset	10,068	10,782
Liability	-4,072	-4,807
Net total deferred tax assets	$5,996	$5,975

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014
Operating loss carryforwards
Accrual for uncertain income tax positions	0
State
Operating loss carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	20,437
State | Minimum
Operating loss carryforwards
Expiration period of operating loss carryforwards	8 years
State | Maximum
Operating loss carryforwards
Expiration period of operating loss carryforwards	20 years
Federal
Operating loss carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	9,019
Federal | Minimum
Operating loss carryforwards
Expiration period of operating loss carryforwards	16 years
Federal | Maximum
Operating loss carryforwards
Expiration period of operating loss carryforwards	20 years

Mortgage_Loan_Details

Mortgage Loan (Details ) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Jun. 06, 2014	Apr. 01, 2013	Aug. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 24, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 05, 2014	Jun. 16, 2012
	sqft										item
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	$70,168	$66,708
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)	280,000
Ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges	0
Anticipated ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges	0
Net fair values of interest rate swap agreements included in other noncurrent assets and liabilities	2,322	2,222
Net fair values of interest rate swap agreements included in other noncurrent assets	8	63
Net fair values of interest rate swap agreements included in other noncurrent liabilities	2,330	2,285
Loss on debt extinguishment	-51	-286
Amount held in escrow	1,000
Interest rate swap agreement
Debt disclosures
Number of agreements containing credit risk related contingent features	0
Recognized net gains (losses) (included in other comprehensive loss), before taxes, on interest rate swap agreements	100	-969	776
Loss expected to be reclassified over next twelve months from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	961
Nonrecourse mortgages
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	70,168	66,708
Annual principal payment requirements under the terms of the nonrecourse mortgage loans
2014	19,828
2015	1,725
2016	7,663
2017	1,720
2018	17,719
Debt disclosures
Aggregate book value of land and buildings pledged as collateral	70,226
Nonrecourse mortgages: 6.30%, due May 1, 2014
Long-Term Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)		6.30%	6.30%
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans		99
Nonrecourse mortgages: 5.73%, due August 1, 2015
Long-Term Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)		5.73%	5.73%
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	18,189	18,615
Nonrecourse mortgages: 8.13%, due April 1, 2016
Long-Term Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)		8.13%	8.13%
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans		3,603
Nonrecourse mortgages: 8.13%, due April 1, 2016 | Griffin Center Development ILLC [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)				5.09%						8.13%
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans				7,868						3,391
Debt disclosures
Term of debt				15 years
Amortization period of debt				15 years
Nonrecourse mortgages: 7.0%, due October 1, 2017
Long-Term Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)		7.00%	7.00%
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans		5,779
Nonrecourse variable rate loans, due October 2, 2017 | Tradeport Development ILLC [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)				5.09%						7.00%
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans				6,632						5,632
Debt disclosures
Term of debt				15 years
Amortization period of debt				15 years
Amount held in escrow				1,000
Nonrecourse variable rate loans, due October 2, 2017 | Tradeport Development ILLC [Member] | Windsor Connecticut First Industrial Building
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)				100,000
Nonrecourse variable rate loans, due October 2, 2017 | Tradeport Development ILLC [Member] | Windsor Connecticut Second Industrial Building
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)				57,000
Nonrecourse variable rate loans, due October 2, 2017
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	6,394	6,563
Debt disclosures
Amortization period of debt	25 years
Variable interest rate base	one month LIBOR
Variable interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.75%
Number of subsidiaries											2
Number of collateralized industrial buildings	2
Nonrecourse variable rate loans, due October 2, 2017 | Interest rate swap agreement
Debt disclosures
Fixed interest rate pursuant to interest rate swap agreement (as a percent)	3.86%
Nonrecourse variable rate loans, due February 1, 2019
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	10,888	11,150
Nonrecourse variable rate loans, due August 1, 2019
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	7,691	7,869
Nonrecourse Variable rate loans, due January 27, 2020
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	3,848	3,961
Debt disclosures
Variable interest rate base					one month LIBOR
Variable interest rate margin (as a percent)					2.50%
Fixed interest rate pursuant to interest rate swap agreement (as a percent)					3.91%
Amount paid for the loan modification					70
Minimum percentage of difference required between the present values of the future payments under the existing loan and the modified loan					10.00%
Deferred costs related to the existing loan with First Niagara Bank					216
Nonrecourse Variable rate loans, due September 1, 2023
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	8,875	9,069
Debt disclosures
Borrowings by subsidiary						9,100
Term of debt						10 years
Amortization period of debt						25 years
Variable interest rate base						one
Variable interest rate margin (as a percent)						1.95%
Nonrecourse Variable rate loans, due September 1, 2023 | Industrial building in Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)				165,000		228,000
Nonrecourse mortgages: 5.25%, due January 27, 2020
Debt disclosures
Variable interest rate margin (as a percent)					5.25%
Nonrecourse mortgages: 6.08%, due January 1, 2013
Debt disclosures
Variable interest rate margin (as a percent)							6.08%
5.09%, due July 1, 2029 GCD Mortgage Loan member
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	7,750
5.09%, due July 1, 2029 TD mortgage loan member
Long-Term Debt
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.09%
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans	6,533
8.13% mortgage due April 1, 2016 and 7.0% mortgage due October 2, 2017
Debt disclosures
Number of mortgages refinanced with Farm Bureau	2
Loss on debt extinguishment	51
8.13% mortgage due April 1, 2016 and 7.0% mortgage due October 2, 2017 | Tradeport Development ILLC [Member]
Debt disclosures
Number of years before any prepayments can be made				7 years
Webster Credit Line
Debt disclosures
Aggregate book value of land and buildings pledged as collateral	10,097
Variable interest rate base	2.75%							one month LIBOR
Maximum borrowing capacity								12,500
Webster Credit Line | Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)								235,000
Webster Credit Line | Single-story office building in Griffin Center
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)								48,000
2023 First Niagara Mortgage | Subsequent events
Debt disclosures
Debt, Refinanced, Amount									8,875
2023 First Niagara Mortgage | Interest rate swap agreement
Debt disclosures
Fixed interest rate pursuant to interest rate swap agreement (as a percent)						4.79%
2023 First Niagara Mortgage | Interest rate swap agreement | Cash flow hedges
Debt disclosures
Notional principal amount of interest rate swap agreement						9,100
2025 First Niagara Mortgage | Subsequent events
Long-Term Debt
Total nonrecourse mortgage loans									21,600
Debt disclosures
Term of debt									10 years
Variable interest rate margin (as a percent)									1.95%
Maximum borrowing capacity									21,600
Net proceeds									10,875
Amount held back from net proceeds									$1,850
Number of subsidiaries which are refinancing norerecourse mortgage loan									2
2025 First Niagara Mortgage | Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania | Location 1 | Subsequent events
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)									228,000
2025 First Niagara Mortgage | Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania | Location 2 | Subsequent events
Debt disclosures
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)									303,000
2025 First Niagara Mortgage | Interest rate swap agreement | Subsequent events
Debt disclosures
Fixed interest rate pursuant to interest rate swap agreement (as a percent)									4.43%

Revolving_Credit_Agreement_Det

Revolving Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 24, 2013	Nov. 30, 2014	Apr. 24, 2013
Revolving credit agreement
Area, square feet		280,000
Webster Credit Line
Revolving credit agreement
Maximum borrowing capacity	$12,500		$12,500
Variable interest rate base	one month LIBOR	2.75%
Aggregate book value of land and buildings pledged as collateral		$10,097
Webster Credit Line | Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT
Revolving credit agreement
Area, square feet	235,000		235,000
Webster Credit Line | Single-story office building in Griffin Center
Revolving credit agreement
Area, square feet	48,000		48,000

Retirement_Benefits_Details

Retirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Feb. 28, 2014
Postretirement Benefits
Increase (decrease) in other comprehensive income to recognize changes in funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan		$68	($48)
Change in benefit obligation:
Curtailment gain	-309
Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial (gain) loss		-108	77
Savings Plan
401(k) Savings Plan
Employer matching contribution as a percentage of each employee's contribution	60.00%
Contributions to the Griffin Savings Plan	64	137	139
Savings Plan | Maximum
401(k) Savings Plan
Employer matching contribution as a percentage of base salary	5.00%
Deferred Compensation Plan
Deferred Compensation Plan
Liability under Deferred Compensation Plan	3,784	3,399
Expense for employer matching benefit to the Deferred Compensation Plan	28	29	29
Postretirement benefits, life and health
Postretirement Benefits
Increase (decrease) in noncurrent liabilities to recognize changes in funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan		118	64
Increase (decrease) in other comprehensive income to recognize changes in funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan		68	48
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	332	450		23
Actuarial (gain) loss	-14	-108
Interest cost	4	16	17
Service cost	1	7	9
Amortization of actuarial gain	-14	-33	-39
Curtailment gain	309
Benefit obligation at end of year		332		23
Components of postretirement benefits expense (income)
Service cost	1	7	9
Interest	4	16	17
Amortization of actuarial gain	-14	-33	-39
Total income	-318	-10	-13
Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial (gain) loss	-14	-108	77
Total recognized in net periodic benefit (income) expense and other comprehensive loss	-332	-118	64
Discount rate
Discount rate used to compute accumulated postretirement benefit obligations (as a percent)		4.60%
Discount rates used to compute net periodic benefit expense (as a percent)	4.60%	3.59%	4.50%
Postretirement benefits, life and health | Fully eligible active participants
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at end of year		230
Postretirement benefits, life and health | Other active participants
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at end of year		$102

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 03, 2012	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Per Share Results
Income (loss) from continuing operations for computation of basic and diluted per share results, net of tax	$273	($198)	($225)	($1,098)	$1,110	($490)	($394)	$1,684	($1,248)	$1,910	$196
Gain (Loss) from landscape nursery business, including loss on sale of assets of $28, net of tax		26	390	-272	-7,200	-439	282	-374	144	-7,731	770
Net (loss) income	$273	($172)	$165	($1,370)	($6,090)	($929)	($112)	$1,310	($1,104)	($5,821)	$966
Weighted average shares outstanding for computation of basic per share results									5,148,000	5,144,000	5,138,000
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of Griffin stock options										8,000	5,000
Adjusted weighted average shares for computation of diluted per share results									5,148,000	5,152,000	5,143,000
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options excluded due to anti-dilutive effect									11,000

Stockholders_Equity_Details_2

Stockholders' Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Nov. 29, 2014	Nov. 28, 2009
				Option
Other Disclosures
Number of option holders				14
2009 Stock Option Plan
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Granted (in shares)	8,532	8,112	10,996
2009 Stock Option Plan | Minimum | Employees
Other Disclosures
Forfeiture rates (as a percent)			30.30%
2009 Stock Option Plan | Maximum | Employees
Other Disclosures
Forfeiture rates (as a percent)			46.60%
2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Number of shares authorized					386,926
Number of shares available for issuance under prior plans included in total shares authorized					161,926
Expiration term	10 years
Assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options granted
Expected volatility (as a percent)	38.90%	40.30%	39.60%
Range of risk free interest rate (as a percent)	2.16%	1.33%	1.02%
Expected option term	8 years 6 months	8 years 6 months	8 years 6 months
Annual dividend yield (as a percent)	0.70%	0.70%	0.00%
Compensation expense for stock options
Compensation expense	208	467	604
Related tax benefit	63	114	148
Other Disclosures
Forfeiture rates (as a percent)	0.00%
2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options | Non-employee directors
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Fair values of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	12.42		10.66
Granted (in shares)	8,532	8,112	10,996
2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options | Minimum
Other Disclosures
Forfeiture rates (as a percent)		22.60%
2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options | Minimum | Non-employee directors
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Fair values of stock options granted (in dollars per share)		12.94
2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options | Maximum
Assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options granted
Expected volatility (as a percent)			41.10%
Range of risk free interest rate (as a percent)			1.19%
Annual dividend yield (as a percent)			0.70%
Other Disclosures
Forfeiture rates (as a percent)		25.80%
2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options | Maximum | Non-employee directors
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Fair values of stock options granted (in dollars per share)			14.89
Continuing Operations [Member] | 2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options
Compensation expense for stock options
Compensation expense	338	415	545
Related tax benefit	78	109	143
Discontinued Operations [Member] | 2009 Stock Option Plan | Employee and directors' stock options
Compensation expense for stock options
Compensation expense	-130	52	59
Related tax benefit	-15	5	5

Stockholders_Equity_Details_3

Stockholders' Equity (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Other Disclosures
Total grant date fair value of options vested	$664	$466	$523
Nonvested Options
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options that will be recognized during future periods
Fiscal 2015	153
Fiscal 2016	$33

Stockholders_Equity_Details_4

Stockholders' Equity (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Nov. 27, 2010
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
Intrinsic value of options exercised (in dollars)	$10	$114	$49
2009 Stock Option Plan
Activity under the Griffin Stock Option Plan
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	239,677	243,841		244,518
Granted (in shares)	8,532	8,112	10,996
Exercised (in shares)	-3,208	-6,776	-6,741
Forfeited (in shares)	-23,000	-5,500	-4,932
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	222,001	239,677	243,841	244,518
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$30.35	$29.88		$29.79
Granted (in dollars per share)	$28.12	$29.58	$25.45
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$24.94	$11.81	$17.80
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$30.27	$31.12	$32.43
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$30.35	$30.35	$29.88	$29.79

Stockholders_Equity_Details_5

Stockholders' Equity (Details 5) (2009 Stock Option Plan, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Outstanding at ending of the year (in shares)	222,001
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$30.35
Weighted Avg. Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 3 months 18 days
Total Intrinsic Value	$44
$23.00-$28.00
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$23
Exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$28
Outstanding at ending of the year (in shares)	18,068
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$25.45
Weighted Avg. Remaining Contractual Life	6 years
Total Intrinsic Value	$44
$28.00-$32.00
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$28
Exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$32
Outstanding at ending of the year (in shares)	120,858
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$28.90
Weighted Avg. Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 2 months 12 days
$32.00-$35.00
Griffin Stock Option Plan
Exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$32
Exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$39
Outstanding at ending of the year (in shares)	83,075
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$33.52
Weighted Avg. Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 10 months 24 days

Stockholders_Equity_Details_6

Stockholders' Equity (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Investment in Centaur Media
Shares of common stock held in Centaur Media	1,952,462		5,277,150
Shares of Centaur Media common stock sold	500,000	2,824,688
Increase (decrease) in other comprehensive income to recognize changes in funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan		$68	($48)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	-449
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassfications	-510	478	-163
Reclassifications included in net (loss) income	124	-206	420
Net current period activity for other comprehensive loss	-386	272	257
Balance at the end of the period	-835	-449
Reclassifications included in net income (loss):
Realized gain on sale of Centaur Media (gain on sale)	-321	-1,099
Termination of postretirement benefits program	-485
Loss on cash flow hedges (interest expense)	1,003	810	666
Total reclassifications included in net income (loss)	197	-289	666
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for an increase (decrease) in the foreign currency exchange rate	358	481	1,111
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for an increase in fair value	-73	-1	110
Increase (decrease) in fair value adjustment on Griffin's cash flow hedges	-1,103	159	-1,442
Actuarial gain (loss) on postretirement benefits program		108	-77
Total change in other comprehensive income (loss)	-818	747	-298
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-621	458	368
Reclassifications included in net income (loss):
Realized gain on sale of Centaur Media (gain on sale)	117	383
Termination of postretirement benefits program tax	181
Loss on cash flow hedges (interest expense)	-371	-300	-246
Total reclassifications included in net income (loss)	-73	83	-246
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for an increase (decrease) in the foreign currency exchange rate	-125	-169	-389
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for an increase in fair value	25	-1	-38
Increase (decrease) in fair value adjustment on Griffin's cash flow hedges	408	-59	533
Actuarial gain (loss) on postretirement benefits program		-40	29
Total change in other comprehensive income (loss)	308	-269	135
Total income tax (expense) benefit included in other comprehensive (loss) income	235	-186	-111
Reclassifications included in net income (loss):
Realized gain on sale of Centaur Media (gain on sale)	-204	-716
Termination of postretirement benefits program net of tax	-304
Loss on cash flow hedges (interest expense)	632	510	420
Total reclassifications included in net income (loss)	124	-206	420
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for an increase (decrease) in the foreign currency exchange rate	233	312	722
Mark to market adjustment on Centaur Media for an increase in fair value	-48	-2	72
Increase (decrease) in fair value adjustment on Griffin's cash flow hedges	-695	100	-909
Actuarial gain (loss) on postretirement benefits program		68	-48
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-510	478	-163
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-386	272	257
Cash Dividend
Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.20	$0.20
Treasury Stock
Treasury stock received in connection with exercise of stock options (in shares)			1,355
Increase in treasury stock			40
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	-1,401
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassfications	-695
Reclassifications included in net (loss) income	632
Net current period activity for other comprehensive loss	-63
Balance at the end of the period	-1,464
Reclassifications included in net income (loss):
Total reclassifications included in net income (loss)	632
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-695
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment in Centaur Media
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	648
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassfications	185
Reclassifications included in net (loss) income	-204	716
Net current period activity for other comprehensive loss	-19
Balance at the end of the period	629	648
Reclassifications included in net income (loss):
Total reclassifications included in net income (loss)	-204	716
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	185
Actuarial gain on postretirement benefit program
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	304
Reclassifications included in net (loss) income	-304
Net current period activity for other comprehensive loss	-304
Reclassifications included in net income (loss):
Total reclassifications included in net income (loss)	($304)

Operating_Leases_Details

Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Leasing of industrial, flex and office space and the lease of the farm in Florida
Operating leases of lessor, future minimum rentals to be received
2014	$19,971
2015	17,771
2016	17,272
2017	14,546
2018	12,519
Later years	28,022
Total	110,101
Corporate headquarters
Operating leases of lessee, future minimum rental payments
2014	179
2015	149
Total minimum lease payments	328
Rental expense	$210	$242	$247

Supplemental_Financial_Stateme2

Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Accumulated amortization	$1,251	$1,073
Amortization expense	178	171	200
Estimated amortization expense
2015	166
2016	77
2017	44
2018	27
2019	27
Deferred leasing costs	3,945	3,598
Deferred rent receivable	3,454	3,553
Prepaid real estate assets	2,133	2,065
Accounts receivable	1,343	258
Mortgage escrows	1,073	1,032
Deferred financing costs	727	903
Intangible assets, net of amortization	506	684
Other	1,035	1,541
Total other assets	$14,216	$13,634

Supplemental_Financial_Stateme3

Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013
Supplemental Financial Statement Information
Increase (decrease) in value of available-for-sale securities: Investment in Centaur Media Plc			$285	$480	$1,221
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to additions to real estate assets			-1,097	129
Number of shares of entity's common stock received as consideration for the exercise of employee stock options					1,355
Interest capitalized included in interest payments			580	71	596
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Accrued construction costs and retainage	1,910	813	1,910	813		813
Trade payables	670	528	670	528		528
Other accrued liabilities	371	505	371	505		505
Accrued interest payable	312	322	312	322		322
Accrued salaries, wages and other compensation	242	311	242	311		311
Total	3,505	2,479	3,505	2,479		2,479
Interest paid
Income tax refund received			61	56
Interest payments, inclusive of capitalized interest			3,860	3,664	3,560
Real estate assets
Revenue from sale of land	1,831	2,668
Deferred revenue that will be recognized as the construction of roadways connecting the land with existing town roads is completed	8,349	8,467	8,349	8,467		8,467
Windsor undeveloped land sale
Real estate assets
Deferred revenue that will be recognized as the construction of roadways connecting the land with existing town roads is completed	3,195		3,195
Land | Tradeport Undeveloped land sale
Real estate assets
Revenue from sale of land			2,668	2,474
Pretax gain from sale of land recognized					3,942	6,051
Land | Windsor undeveloped land sale
Real estate assets
Revenue from sale of land			3,105
Percentage of cost incurred on sale of land	64.00%		64.00%
Percentage of total revenue and pretax gain on sale have been recognized			64.00%
Deferred revenue that will be recognized as the construction of roadways connecting the land with existing town roads is completed	3,195		3,195
Estimated pretax gain on sale that would be recognized after incurring total costs and recognizing total revenue			$6,754

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation2

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 03, 2012	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
Total revenue		$7,720	$6,099	$5,341	$5,059	$8,009	$5,504	$6,388	$5,625	$24,219	$25,526	$24,215
Operating income (loss)		2,144	716	190	-1,241	1,966	269	581	-380	1,809	2,436	3,386
Income (loss) from continuing operations		273	-198	-225	-1,098	1,110	-490	-394	1,684	-1,248	1,910	196
Income (loss) from discontinued operation			26	390	-272	-7,200	-439	282	-374	144	-7,731	770
Net (loss) income		273	-172	165	-1,370	-6,090	-929	-112	1,310	-1,104	-5,821	966
Basic:
(Loss) Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$0.05	($0.04)	($0.04)	($0.21)	$0.22	($0.10)	($0.08)	$0.33	($0.24)	$0.37	$0.04
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of tax (in dollars per share)			$0.01	$0.07	($0.06)	($1.40)	($0.08)	$0.06	($0.08)	$0.03	($1.50)	$0.15
Basic net (loss) income per common share (in dollars per share)		$0.05	($0.03)	$0.03	($0.27)	($1.18)	($0.18)	($0.02)	$0.25	($0.21)	($1.13)	$0.19
Diluted:
(Loss) income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$0.05	($0.04)	($0.04)	($0.21)	$0.22	($0.10)	($0.08)	$0.33	($0.24)	$0.37	$0.04
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of tax (in dollars per share)			$0.01	$0.07	($0.06)	($1.40)	($0.08)	$0.06	($0.08)	$0.03	($1.50)	$0.15
Diluted net (loss) income per common share (in dollars per share)		$0.05	($0.03)	$0.03	($0.27)	($1.18)	($0.18)	($0.02)	$0.25	($0.21)	($1.13)	$0.19
Property sales revenue from the Windsor Land Sale	$1,831	$2,668

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014
	sqft	acre
Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase obligations for construction of Griffin Land, square feet	280,000
Undeveloped land
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of acres		45
Undeveloped land | Agreement to sell
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of acres to be sold		29
Undeveloped land | Agreement to sell | Minimum
Commitments and Contingencies
Sale price of land		3,250
Property and inventory purchase commitments
Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase obligations	6,492,000

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
	subsidiary	sqft
Subsequent events
Mortgage loans		$70,168	$66,708
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)		280,000
Subsequent events | 2025 First Niagara Mortgage
Subsequent events
Number of subsidiaries which are refinancing norerecourse mortgage loan	2
Mortgage loans	$21,600
Term of debt	10 years
Subsequent events | 2025 First Niagara Mortgage | Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania | Location 1
Subsequent events
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)	228,000
Subsequent events | 2025 First Niagara Mortgage | Lower Nazareth, Pennsylvania | Location 2
Subsequent events
Area of collateralized properties (in square feet)	303,000

Schedule_IIValuation_and_Quali1

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Uncollectible accounts - trade
Reserves:
Balance at Beginning of Year	$134		$131
Charged to Cost and Expenses	-101	37	26
Charged to Other Accounts		13	21
Deductions From Reserves	33	44	50
Balance at End of Year		134	128
Inventories
Reserves:
Balance at Beginning of Year	10,854		1,242
Charged to Cost and Expenses		10,900	380
Charged to Other Accounts		11	55
Deductions From Reserves	10,854	489	1,245
Balance at End of Year		10,854	432
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
Reserves:
Balance at Beginning of Year	379		290
Charged to Cost and Expenses	16	60	29
Balance at End of Year	$395	$379	$319

Schedule_IIIReal_Estate_and_Ac1

Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Total	$209,284	$192,268
Accumulated Depreciation	-74,762	-61,078	-56,744	-51,865
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Undeveloped portion
Initial Cost
Land	981
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	3,428
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	981
Development Costs	3,428
Total	4,409
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 1
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	7,691
Initial Cost
Land	8
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	4,342
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	8
Land Improvements	509
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	3,486
Tenant Improvements	347
Total	4,350
Accumulated Depreciation	-3,137
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 2
Initial Cost
Land	4
Bldg. & Improve.	1,722
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	891
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	4
Land Improvements	751
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	1,835
Tenant Improvements	27
Total	2,617
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,708
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 3
Initial Cost
Land	13
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	7,242
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	13
Land Improvements	522
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	5,515
Tenant Improvements	1,186
Development Costs	19
Total	7,255
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,803
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 4
Initial Cost
Land	9
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	3,915
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	9
Land Improvements	316
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	3,449
Tenant Improvements	131
Development Costs	19
Total	3,924
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,938
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 5
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	6,533
Initial Cost
Land	12
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	8,193
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	12
Land Improvements	345
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	5,136
Tenant Improvements	2,712
Total	8,205
Accumulated Depreciation	-5,418
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 6
Initial Cost
Land	7
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	3,313
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	7
Land Improvements	11
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	3,051
Tenant Improvements	251
Total	3,320
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,429
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 7
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	18,189
Initial Cost
Land	13
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	5,606
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	13
Land Improvements	22
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	5,021
Tenant Improvements	563
Total	5,619
Accumulated Depreciation	-2,087
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 8
Initial Cost
Land	16
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	7,489
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	16
Land Improvements	1
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	6,893
Tenant Improvements	595
Total	7,505
Accumulated Depreciation	-2,570
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 9
Initial Cost
Land	15
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	9,979
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	15
Land Improvements	28
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	7,595
Development Costs	2,356
Total	9,994
Accumulated Depreciation	-2,395
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 10
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	10,888
Initial Cost
Land	57
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	15,999
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	57
Land Improvements	1,028
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	13,874
Tenant Improvements	1,097
Total	16,056
Accumulated Depreciation	-2,771
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 11
Initial Cost
Land	20
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	8,374
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	20
Land Improvements	563
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	7,538
Tenant Improvements	273
Total	8,394
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,825
Depr. Life	40 years
New England Tradeport, Windsor/E. Granby, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 12
Initial Cost
Land	12
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	6,928
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	12
Land Improvements	448
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	6,263
Tenant Improvements	217
Total	6,940
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,669
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center, Windsor, CT | Undeveloped portion
Initial Cost
Land	285
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	629
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	285
Development Costs	629
Total	914
Griffin Center, Windsor, CT | Flex Building | Location 13
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	7,750
Initial Cost
Land	19
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	8,210
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	19
Land Improvements	145
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	8,065
Total	8,229
Accumulated Depreciation	-2,841
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center, Windsor, CT | Restaurant Building | Location 14
Initial Cost
Land	1
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	2,161
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	1
Land Improvements	261
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	1,391
Tenant Improvements	509
Total	2,162
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,396
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center, Windsor, CT | Office building(s) | Location 15
Initial Cost
Land	17
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	5,865
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	17
Land Improvements	420
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	4,257
Tenant Improvements	1,188
Total	5,882
Accumulated Depreciation	-2,762
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center, Windsor, CT | Office building(s) | Location 16
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	6,394
Initial Cost
Land	1,193
Bldg. & Improve.	7,958
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	3,607
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	1,193
Land Improvements	740
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	8,281
Tenant Improvements	2,544
Total	12,758
Accumulated Depreciation	-5,038
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Undeveloped portion
Initial Cost
Land	42
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	347
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	42
Development Costs	347
Total	389
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 21
Initial Cost
Land	1
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	765
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	1
Land Improvements	86
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	679
Total	766
Accumulated Depreciation	-571
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Office building(s) | Location 17
Initial Cost
Land	5
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	4,050
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	5
Land Improvements	576
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	2,887
Tenant Improvements	587
Total	4,055
Accumulated Depreciation	-3,322
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Office building(s) | Location 18
Initial Cost
Land	4
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	2,777
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	4
Land Improvements	269
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	1,962
Tenant Improvements	546
Total	2,781
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,892
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Office building(s) | Location 19
Initial Cost
Land	2
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	2,083
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	2
Land Improvements	384
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	1,471
Tenant Improvements	130
Development Costs	98
Total	2,085
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,394
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Office building(s) | Location 20
Initial Cost
Land	2
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	1,534
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	2
Land Improvements	189
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	1,345
Total	1,536
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,030
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Office building(s) | Location 22
Initial Cost
Land	10
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	4,020
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	10
Land Improvements	268
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	3,344
Tenant Improvements	408
Total	4,030
Accumulated Depreciation	-2,303
Depr. Life	40 years
Griffin Center South, Bloomfield, CT | Office building(s) | Location 23
Initial Cost
Land	9
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	3,812
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	9
Land Improvements	23
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	3,321
Tenant Improvements	401
Development Costs	67
Total	3,821
Accumulated Depreciation	-1,585
Depr. Life	40 years
Bloomfield, CT | Industrial Building(s) | Location 24
Initial Cost
Land	1,294
Bldg. & Improve.	1,264
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	1,294
Land Improvements	72
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	1,126
Tenant Improvements	66
Total	2,558
Accumulated Depreciation	-326
Depr. Life	40 years
Breinigsville, PA | Industrial Building(s) | Location 25
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	3,848
Initial Cost
Land	832
Bldg. & Improve.	4,560
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	832
Land Improvements	349
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	3,990
Tenant Improvements	221
Total	5,392
Accumulated Depreciation	-842
Depr. Life	40 years
Lower Nazareth Township, PA. | Industrial Building(s) | Location 26
Initial Cost
Land	1,351
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	13,447
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	1,351
Land Improvements	1,341
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	12,013
Development Costs	93
Total	14,798
Accumulated Depreciation	-171
Depr. Life	40 years
Lower Nazareth Township, PA. | Industrial Building(s) | Location 27
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	8,875
Initial Cost
Land	721
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	11,176
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	721
Land Improvements	1,359
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	8,996
Tenant Improvements	821
Total	11,897
Accumulated Depreciation	-932
Depr. Life	40 years
Hanover Township, PA. | Industrial Building under construction
Initial Cost
Land	7,641
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	1,301
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	7,641
Development Costs	1,301
Total	8,942
Granby, CT | Nursery Farm
Initial Cost
Land	417
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	11,052
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	417
Land Improvements	1,565
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	9,487
Total	11,469
Accumulated Depreciation	-10,032
Depr. Life	20 years
Quincy, FL | Nursery Farm
Initial Cost
Land	279
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	9,485
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	279
Land Improvements	4,089
Bldg. & Bldg. Improvements	5,396
Total	9,764
Accumulated Depreciation	-8,221
Depr. Life	20 years
Simsbury, CT
Initial Cost
Land	27
Cost Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition Improvements	3,114
Gross Amount at the end of the period
Land	27
Land Improvements	1,156
Development Costs	1,958
Total	3,141
Accumulated Depreciation	($1,104)

Schedule_IIIReal_Estate_and_Ac2

Schedule III-Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Cost
Balance at beginning of year	$192,268		$168,160
Changes during the year:
Additions to real estate assets	16,680	13,769	13,557
Reclassification to real estate held for sale	-9,236	-962	-693
Writeoff of fully depreciated assets	-1,913	-1,210	-353
Reclassification of real estate assets from property and equipment	11,485
Balance at end of year	209,284	192,268	180,671
Reserve
Balance at beginning of year	-61,078		-51,865
Changes during the year:
Additions to reserve charged to costs and expense	-5,747	-5,545	-5,237
Reclassification to real estate held for sale		1	5
Writeoff of fully depreciated assets	1,913	1,210	353
Reclassification of real estate assets from property and equipment	-9,850
Balance at end of year	($74,762)	($61,078)	($56,744)