Cousins Properties (CUZ) 10-K 12 Feb 15 2012 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 09, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	COUSINS PROPERTIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	25232
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float					$2,316,983,943
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding				216,437,991

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013
Real estate assets:
Operating properties, net of accumulated depreciation of $324,543 and $235,707 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	$2,181,684,000	$1,828,437,000
Projects under development	91,615,000	21,681,000
Land	21,646,000	35,053,000
Total properties	2,294,945,000	1,885,171,000
Operating properties and related assets held for sale, net	0	24,554,000
Cash and cash equivalents	0	975,000
Restricted cash	5,042,000	2,810,000
Notes and accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,635 and $1,827 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	10,732,000	11,778,000
Deferred rents receivable	57,939,000	39,969,000
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	100,498,000	107,082,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	163,244,000	170,973,000
Other assets	34,930,000	29,894,000
Total assets	2,667,330,000	2,273,206,000
Liabilities:
Notes payable	792,344,000	630,094,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	86,668,000	76,668,000
Deferred Revenue, Current	23,277,000	25,754,000
Intangible Liabilities	70,020,000	66,476,000
Other liabilities	21,563,000	15,242,000
Total liabilities	993,872,000	814,234,000
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	0	0
Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, $1 par value:
7.75% Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $25 liquidation preference; 2,993,090 shares issued and outstanding in 2012 and 2011 and 7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $25 liquidation preference; 3,791,000 shares issued and outstanding in 2012 and 2011	0	94,775,000
Common stock, $1 par value, 350,000,000 and 250,000,000 shares authorized, 220,082,610 and 193,236,454 shares issued in 2014 and 2013, respectively	220,083,000	193,236,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,720,972,000	1,420,951,000
Treasury stock at cost, 3,570,082 shares in 2014 and 2013	-86,840,000	-86,840,000
Distributions in excess of cumulative net income	-180,757,000	-164,721,000
Total stockholders' investment	1,673,458,000	1,457,401,000
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	0	1,571,000
Total equity	1,673,458,000	1,458,972,000
Total liabilities and equity	$2,667,330,000	$2,273,206,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Real estate assets:
Accumulated depreciation on operating properties	$297,034	$235,707
Development in Process, Accumulated Depreciation	0	0
Real Estate Held for Sale, Accumulated Depreciation	14,851	21,444
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	64,947	37,544
Allowance for doubtful accounts for notes and other receivables	$1,635	$1,827
Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, $1 par value:
Preferred stock, par value	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.50%	7.50%
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	3,791,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	3,791,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$25	$25
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	350,000,000	250,000,000
Treasury stock, shares	3,570,082	3,570,082
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, $1 par value:
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		7.75%
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	2,993,090
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	2,993,090
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$25

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
REVENUES:
Rental property revenues	$343,910	$194,420	$114,208
Fee income	12,519	10,891	17,797
Other	4,954	5,430	4,841
Total consolidated revenues	361,383	210,741	136,846
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Rental property operating expenses	155,934	90,498	50,329
Reimbursed expenses	3,652	5,215	7,063
General and administrative expenses	19,784	21,940	23,208
Interest expense	29,110	21,709	23,933
Depreciation and amortization	140,018	76,277	39,424
Separation expenses	185	520	1,985
Acquisition and related costs	1,130	7,484	793
Other	3,544	3,693	5,632
Total costs and expenses	353,357	227,336	152,367
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			-94
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes, unconsolidated joint ventures, and sale of investment properties	8,026	-16,595	-15,615
Benefit (provision) for income taxes from operations	20	23	-91
INCOME (LOSS) FROM UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES	11,268	67,325	39,258
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Gain on Sale of Investment Properties	19,314	50,753	23,552
GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES	12,536	61,288	4,053
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	31,850	112,041	27,605
Income from discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations	1,800	3,299	1,907
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	19,358	11,489	18,407
Total income from discontinued operations	21,158	14,788	20,314
Net income	53,008	126,829	47,919
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,004	-5,068	-2,191
Net Income (Loss) in Statement on Equity			49,922
Net income attributable to controlling interests	52,004	121,761	45,728
Preferred Share Original Issuance Costs	-3,530	-2,656
Dividends to preferred stockholders	-2,955	-10,008	-12,907
Net income available to common stockholders	$45,519	$109,097	$32,821
PER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION - BASIC AND DILUTED:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest (dollars per share)	$0.12	$0.66	$0.12
Income from discontinued operations (dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10	$0.20
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders (dollars per share)	$0.22	$0.76	$0.32
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES—BASIC (shares)	204,216	144,255	104,117
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES—DILUTED (shares)	204,460	144,420	104,125

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Stockholders' Investment [Member]	Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011
Net Income (Loss) in Statement on Equity	$49,922	$0	$0	$0	$0	$45,728	$45,728	$4,194
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	45,728
Common stock issued pursuant to:
Director stock grants	540	0	72	468	0	0	540	0
Stock option exercises	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Restricted stock grants, net of amounts withheld for income taxes	-207	0	452	-659	0	0	-207	0
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock, net of forfeitures	2,244	0	-136	2,380	0	0	2,244	0
Distributions to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	-15,286	0	0	0	0	0	0	-15,286
Contributions from Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	1,300	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,300
Preferred Stock Redemption	0
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cash preferred dividends paid	-12,907	0	0	0	0	-12,907	-12,907	0
Cash common dividends paid	-18,748	0	0	0	0	-18,748	-18,748	0
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	642,953	169,602	107,660	690,024	-86,840	-260,104	620,342	22,611
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	126,761	0	0	0	0	121,761	121,761	5,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	121,761
Common stock issued pursuant to:
Director stock grants	544	0	50	494	0	0	544	0
Restricted stock grants, net of amounts withheld for income taxes	-1,179	0	30	-1,209	0	0	-1,179	0
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock, net of forfeitures	1,898	0	-42	1,940	0	0	1,898	0
Distributions to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	-26,040	0	0	0	0	0	0	-26,040
Preferred Stock Redemption	-74,827
Cash preferred dividends paid	-10,008	0	0	0	0	-10,008	-10,008	0
Cash common dividends paid	-27,192	0	0	0	0	-27,192	-27,192	0
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,458,972	94,775	193,236	1,420,951	-86,840	-164,721	1,457,401	1,571
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	53,008	0	0	0	0		52,004	1,004
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	52,004
Common stock issued pursuant to:
Director stock grants	653	0	55	598	0	0	653	0
Stock option exercises	-278	0	48	-326	0	0	-278	0
Common stock offering, net of issuance costs	321,896	0	26,700	295,196	0	0	321,896	0
Restricted stock grants, net of amounts withheld for income taxes	-925	0	53	-978	0	0	-925	0
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock, net of forfeitures	1,992	0	-9	2,001	0	0	1,992	0
Distributions to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	-2,575	0	0	0	0	0	0	-2,575
Preferred Stock Redemption	-94,775	-94,775	0	3,530	0	-3,530	-94,775	0
Cash preferred dividends paid	-2,955	0	0	0	0	-2,955	-2,955	0
Cash common dividends paid	-61,555	0	0	0	0	-61,555	-61,555	0
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,673,458	$0	$220,083	$1,720,972	($86,840)	($180,757)	$1,673,458	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$53,008	$126,829	$47,919
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment Losses, Including Discontinued Operations	0	0	14,278
Gain on sale of investment properties, including discontinued operations	-31,894	-68,200	-15,001
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	0	-4,577	-7,459
Loss on extinguishment of debt, including discontinued operations	0	0	94
Depreciation and amortization, including discontinued operations	141,022	76,478	52,439
Amortization of deferred financing costs	604	615	1,056
Net amortization of stock options and restricted stock	1,992	1,898
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock, net			2,244
Effect of certain non-cash adjustments to rental revenues	-30,039	-11,660	-3,938
(Income) loss from unconsolidated joint ventures	-11,268	-67,325	-39,258
Operating distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	10,296	67,101	37,379
Land and multi-family cost of sales, net of closing costs paid	302	967	1,659
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Change in other receivables and other assets, net	-644	-9,619	-851
Change in operating liabilities	9,021	24,833	4,761
Net cash provided by operating activities	142,400	137,340	95,322
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from investment property sales	244,471	178,966	273,386
Proceeds from sale of third party management and leasing business	0	4,577	8,247
Property acquisition, development and tenant asset expenditures	-710,743	-1,526,263	-105,069
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	-18,342	-11,922	-6,619
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	26,179	88,635	67,435
Collection of Notes Receivable	1,020	1,580	0
Change in notes receivable and other assets	-2,839	-1,655	2,504
Change in restricted cash	-1,361	-111	2,077
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-461,615	-1,266,193	241,961
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from credit facility	764,575	365,075	417,900
Repayment of credit facility	-664,450	-325,000	-616,150
Proceeds from other notes payable	85,068	304,275	113,026
Repayment of notes payable	-22,943	-77,887	-28,808
Payment of loan issuance costs	-3,995	-1,693	-3,419
Common stock issued, net of expenses	321,845	826,233	0
Common dividends paid	-61,555	-27,192	-18,748
Preferred dividends paid	-2,955	-10,008	-12,907
Preferred Stock Redemption	-94,775	-74,827	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-2,575	-26,040	-16,143
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	318,240	952,936	-165,249
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-975	-175,917	172,034
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	975	176,892	7,599
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$0	$975	$176,892

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Description of Business: Cousins Properties Incorporated (“Cousins”), a Georgia corporation, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Through December 31, 2014, Cousins Real Estate Corporation (“CREC”) was a taxable entity wholly-owned by and consolidated within Cousins. CREC owned, developed, and managed its own real estate portfolio and performed certain real estate related services for other parties. On December 31, 2014, CREC merged into Cousins and coincident with this merger, Cousins formed Cousins TRS Services LLC ("CTRS"), a new taxable entity wholly-owned by Cousins. Upon formation, CTRS received a capital contribution of some of the real estate assets and contracts that were previously owned by CREC. CTRS will own and manage its own real estate portfolio and perform certain real estate related services for other parties beginning in 2015.
	Cousins, CREC, CTRS and their subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) develop, acquire, lease, manage, and own primarily Class A office properties and opportunistic mixed-use developments in Sunbelt markets with a focus on Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s portfolio of real estate assets consisted of interests in 15.7 million square feet of office space, 80,000 square feet of retail space, and 404,000 square feet (443 units) of apartments.
	Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated partnerships and wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company presents its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) as outlined in the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification” or “ASC”). The Codification is the single source of authoritative accounting principles applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP.
	For the three years ended December 31, 2014, there were no items of other comprehensive income. Therefore, no presentation of comprehensive income is required.
	The Company evaluates all partnerships, joint ventures and other arrangements with variable interests to determine if the entity or arrangement qualifies as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), as defined in the Codification. If the entity or arrangement qualifies as a VIE and the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, the Company is required to consolidate the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the VIE.
	The Company has a joint venture with Callaway Gardens Resort, Inc. (“Callaway”) for the development of residential lots, which is anticipated to be funded fully through Company contributions. Callaway has the right to receive returns, but no obligation to fund any costs or absorb any losses. The Company is the sole decision maker for the venture and the development manager. The Company has determined that Callaway is a VIE, and the Company is the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company consolidates this joint venture. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Callaway had total assets of $2.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and no significant liabilities.
	In 2014, the Company acquired a building and transferred it to a special purpose entity to facilitate a potential Section 1031 exchange under the Internal Revenue Code. To realize the tax deferral available under the Section 1031 exchange, the Company must complete the Section 1031 exchange, and take title to the to-be-exchanged building within 180 days of the acquisition date. The Company has determined that this entity is a VIE, and the Company is the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company consolidates this entity. As of December 31, 2014, this VIE had total assets of $353.2 million, no significant liabilities, and no significant cash flows.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards: In 2014, The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance related to the presentation of discontinued operations. Prior to this new guidance, the Company generally included activity for all assets held for sale and disposals in discontinued operations on the statements of operations. Under the new guidance, only assets held for sale and disposals representing a major strategic shift in operations, such as the disposal of a line of business, a significant geographical area, or a major equity investment, will be presented as discontinued operations. Additionally, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide more information about their assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2014.
	In 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers which requires a new five-step model to recognize revenue. Under the new guidance, companies will recognize revenue when the seller satisfies a performance obligation, which would be when the buyer takes control of the good or service. This new guidance could result in different amounts of revenue being recognized and could result in revenue being recognized in different reporting periods than it is under the current guidance. The new guidance specifically excludes revenue associated with lease contracts. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is prohibited. Retrospective application will be required either to all periods presented or with the cumulative effect of initial adoption recognized in the period of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Real Estate Assets
	Cost Capitalization: Costs related to planning, developing, leasing, and constructing a property, including costs of development personnel working directly on projects under development, are capitalized. In addition, the Company capitalizes interest to qualifying assets under development based on average accumulated expenditures outstanding during the period. In capitalizing interest to qualifying assets, the Company first uses the interest incurred on specific project debt, if any, and next uses the Company’s weighted average interest rate for non-project specific debt. The Company also capitalizes interest to investments accounted for under the equity method when the investee has property under development with a carrying value in excess of the investee’s borrowings. To the extent debt exists within an unconsolidated joint venture during the construction period, the venture capitalizes interest on that venture-specific debt.
	The Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes, and certain operating expenses on the unoccupied portion of recently completed development properties from the date a project is substantially complete to the earlier of (1) the date on which the project achieves 90% economic occupancy or (2) one year after it is substantially complete.
	The Company capitalizes direct leasing costs related to leases that are probable of being executed. These costs include commissions paid to outside brokers, legal costs incurred to negotiate and document a lease agreement, and internal costs that are based on time spent by leasing personnel on successful leases. The Company allocates these costs to individual tenant leases and amortizes them over the related lease term.
	Impairment: For real estate assets that are considered to be held for sale according to accounting guidance, the Company records impairment losses if the fair value of the asset net of estimated selling costs is less than the carrying amount. For those long-lived assets that are held and used according to accounting guidance, management reviews each asset for the existence of any indicators of impairment. If indicators of impairment are present, the Company calculates the expected undiscounted future cash flows to be derived from such assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the Company reduces the asset to its fair value.
	Acquisition of Operating Properties: The Company records the acquired tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of operating property acquisitions at fair value at the acquisition date. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities for an operating property acquisition generally include but are not limited to: land, buildings and improvements, and identified tangible and intangible assets and liabilities associated with in-place leases, including leasing costs, value of above-market and below-market tenant leases, value of above-market and below-market ground leases, acquired in-place lease values, and tenant relationships, if any.
	The fair value of land is derived from comparable sales of land within the same submarket and/or region. The fair value of buildings and improvements, tenant improvements, and leasing costs are based upon current market replacement costs and other relevant market rate information.
	The fair value of the above-market or below-market component of an acquired in-place lease is based upon the present value (calculated using a market discount rate) of the difference between (i) the contractual rents to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term and (ii) management’s estimate of the rents that would be paid using fair market rental rates and rent escalations at the date of acquisition over the remaining term of the lease. The amounts recorded for above-market and below-market tenant leases are included in intangible assets and intangible liabilities, respectively, on the balance sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis into rental property revenues over the remaining term of the applicable leases. The amounts recorded for above-market and below-market ground leases are included in intangible liabilities and intangible assets, respectively, and are amortized on a straight-line basis into rental property operating expenses over the remaining terms of the applicable leases.
	The fair value of acquired in-place leases is derived based on management’s assessment of lost revenue and costs incurred for the period required to lease the “assumed vacant” property to the occupancy level when purchased. The amount recorded for acquired in-place leases is included in intangible assets and amortized as an increase to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining term of the applicable leases.
	Depreciation and Amortization: Real estate assets are stated at depreciated cost less impairment losses, if any. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which range generally from 24 to 42 years. The life of a particular building depends upon a number of factors including whether the building was developed or acquired and the condition of the building upon acquisition. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives of three to five years. Tenant improvements, leasing costs and leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the applicable leases or the estimated useful life of the assets, whichever is shorter. The Company accelerates the depreciation of tenant assets if it estimates that the lease term will end prior to the termination date. This acceleration may occur if a tenant files for bankruptcy, vacates its premises or defaults in another manner on its lease. Deferred expenses are amortized over the period of estimated benefit. The Company uses the straight-line method for all depreciation and amortization.
	Discontinued Operations: Effective in 2014, only assets held for sale and disposals representing strategic shifts in operations will be reflected in discontinued operations. For previous periods, the Company classified the results of operations of all properties that have been sold or otherwise qualify as held for sale as discontinued operations if the property's operations are expected to be eliminated from ongoing operations and the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the property after the sale. The Company also classified any gains or losses on the sale of such properties as discontinued operations as well as any related impairment losses associated with such properties. The Company ceases depreciation of a property when it is categorized as held for sale. See note 3 for a detail of properties that meet these requirements.
	Investment in Joint Ventures
	For joint ventures that the Company does not control, but exercises significant influence, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's judgment with regard to its level of influence or control of an entity involves consideration of various factors including the form of its ownership interest; its representation in the entity's governance; its ability to participate in policy-making decisions; and the rights of other investors to participate in the decision-making process, to replace the Company as manager, and/or to liquidate the venture. These ventures are recorded at cost and adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions. Any difference between the carrying amount of these investments on the Company’s balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets on the joint venture’s balance sheet is adjusted as the related underlying assets are depreciated, amortized, or sold. The Company generally allocates income and loss from an unconsolidated joint venture based on the venture's distribution priorities, which may be different from its stated ownership percentage.
	The Company evaluates the recoverability of its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with accounting standards for equity investments by first reviewing each investment for any indicators of impairment. If indicators are present, the Company estimates the fair value of the investment. If the carrying value of the investment is greater than the estimated fair value, management makes an assessment of whether the impairment is “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” In making this assessment, management considers the following: (1) the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the entity, and (3) the Company’s intent and ability to retain its interest long enough for a recovery in market value.
	The Company consolidates certain joint ventures that it controls. In cases where the entity’s documents do not contain a required redemption clause, the Company records the partner’s share of the entity in the equity section of the balance sheets in nonredeemable noncontrolling interests. In cases where the entity’s documents contain a provision requiring the Company to purchase the partner’s share of the venture at a certain value upon demand or at a future date, the Company records the partner’s share of the entity in redeemable noncontrolling interests on the balance sheets. Amounts recorded in redeemable noncontrolling interests are adjusted to the higher of fair value or the partner’s cost basis each reporting period. The effect of these adjustments is recorded in additional paid-in capital within total stockholders’ investment. The noncontrolling partners' share of all consolidated joint ventures' income is reflected in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest on the statements of operations.
	Revenue Recognition
	Rental Property Revenues: The Company recognizes contractual revenues from leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective lease. Certain of these leases also provide for percentage rents based upon the level of sales achieved by the lessee. Percentage rents are recognized once the specified sales target is achieved. In addition, leases typically provide for reimbursement of the tenants' share of real estate taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses to the Company. Operating expense reimbursements are recognized as the related expenses are incurred. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recognized $86.0 million, $43.9 million, and $26.2 million, respectively, in revenues, including discontinued operations, from tenants related to operating expenses.
	The Company makes valuation adjustments to all tenant-related accounts receivable based upon its estimate of the likelihood of collectibility of amounts due from the tenant. The amount of any valuation adjustment is based on the tenant’s credit and business risk, history of payment, and other factors considered by management.
	Fee Income: The Company recognizes development, management, and leasing fees when earned. The Company recognizes development, management, and leasing fees received from unconsolidated joint ventures and related salaries and other direct costs incurred by the Company as income and expense based on the percentage of the joint venture which the Company does not own. Correspondingly, the Company adjusts the investment in unconsolidated joint ventures asset when fees are paid to the Company by a joint venture in which the Company has an ownership interest. The Company amortizes these adjustments over a relevant period in income from unconsolidated joint ventures.
	Land Sales: The Company recognizes sales and related cost of sales of land upon closing, the majority of which historically have been accounted for on the full accrual method. If a substantial continuing obligation exists related to the sale, the Company uses the percentage of completion method. If other criteria for the full accrual method are not met, the Company utilizes the installment method, cost recovery method, deposit method, or reduced-profit method as applicable.
	Gain on Sale of Investment Properties: The Company recognizes a gain on sale of investment property when the sale of a property is consummated, the buyer’s initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate commitment to pay, any receivable obtained is not subject to future subordination, the usual risks and rewards of ownership are transferred, and the Company has no substantial continuing involvement with the property. If the Company has a commitment to the buyer and that commitment is a specific dollar amount, this commitment is accrued and the gain on sale that the Company recognizes is reduced. If the Company has a construction commitment to the buyer, management makes an estimate of this commitment, defers a portion of the profit from the sale, and recognizes the deferred profit as or when the commitment is fulfilled.
	Income Taxes
	Cousins has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a REIT, Cousins must distribute annually at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income, as defined in the Code, to its stockholders and satisfy certain other organizational and operating requirements. It is management’s current intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain Cousins’ REIT status. As a REIT, Cousins generally will not be subject to federal income tax at the corporate level on the taxable income it distributes to its stockholders. If Cousins fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years. Cousins may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to federal income taxes on its undistributed taxable income.
	Through December 31, 2014, CREC was a C-Corporation for federal income tax purposes and used the liability method of accounting for income taxes. CTRS is also a C-Corporation for federal income tax purposes and uses the liability method for for accounting for income taxes. Tax return positions are recognized in the financial statements when they are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future periods. A valuation allowance may be placed on deferred income tax assets, if it is determined that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset may not be realized.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has several types of stock-based compensation plans. These plans are described in note 13, as are the accounting policies by type of award. The Company recognizes compensation expense, net of forfeitures, arising from share-based payment arrangements granted to employees and directors in general and administrative expense in the statements of operations over the related awards’ vesting period, which may be accelerated under the Company’s retirement feature.
	Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
	Net income (loss) per share-basic is calculated as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including nonvested restricted stock which has nonforfeitable dividend rights. Net income (loss) per share-diluted is calculated as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted weighted average number of common shares uses the same weighted average share number as in the basic calculation and adds the potential dilution that would occur if stock options (or any other contracts to issue common stock) were exercised and resulted in additional common shares outstanding, calculated using the treasury stock method. The numerator is reduced for the effect of preferred dividends in both the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share calculations.
	Stock options are dilutive when the average market price of the Company’s stock during the period exceeds the option exercise price. However, in periods where the Company is in a net loss position, the dilutive effect of stock options is not included in the diluted weighted average shares total.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly-liquid money market instruments. Highly-liquid money market instruments include securities and repurchase agreements with original maturities of three months or less, money market mutual funds, and United States Treasury Bills with maturities of 30 days or less. Restricted cash primarily represents amounts restricted under debt agreements for future capital expenditures or for specific future operating costs.
	Software Cost Capitalization
	Internal and external costs to develop computer software for internal use are capitalized during the development stage in accordance with GAAP. These capitalized costs include the costs to obtain the software, internal and external development costs, and automated data conversion. Training and manual data conversion costs are expensed as incurred.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements and footnotes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Property_Transactions

Property Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Transactions [Abstract]
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS	Dispositions
	In 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the presentation of discounted operations. See note 2 for further information. The new guidance applies to assets that are sold or meet the criteria for held for sale after the date of adoption. The Company adopted the new standard in 2014; and as a result, two of the Company's properties that were sold subsequent to the adoption that under the previous guidance would have been considered discontinued operations are not considered discontinued operations under the new guidance.
	The Company sold the following properties in 2014, 2013, and 2012. The results of operations of the properties noted as discontinued operations are included in a separate section discontinued operations, in the statements of operations for all periods presented ($ in thousands):
	Property	Property Type		Location	Square Feet			Sales Price				Discontinued Operations
	2014
	777 Main	Office		Ft. Worth, TX	980,000			$	167,000			No
	Lakeshore Park Plaza	Office		Birmingham, AL	197,000			$	25,000			Yes
	Mahan Village	Retail		Tallahassee, FL	147,000			$	29,500			No
	600 University Park Place	Office		Birmingham, AL	123,000			$	19,700			Yes
	2013
	Tiffany Springs MarketCenter	Retail		Kansas City, MO	238,000			$	53,500			Yes
	Inhibitex	Office		Atlanta, GA	51,000			$	8,300			Yes
	2012
	The Avenue Forsyth	Retail		Atlanta, GA	524,000			$	119,000			Yes
	The Avenue Collierville	Retail		Memphis, TN	511,000			$	55,000			Yes
	The Avenue Webb Gin	Retail		Atlanta, GA	322,000			$	59,600			Yes
	Galleria 75	Office		Atlanta, GA	111,000			$	9,200			Yes
	Cosmopolitan Center	Office		Atlanta, GA	51,000			$	7,000			Yes
	In addition, the Company sold its third party management and leasing business in 2012. The operations of this business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations. The Company recognized a gain on the sale of its third party management and leasing business of $7.5 million in 2012 and an additional gain of $4.6 million in 2013. The additional gain was based on the performance of the business for the year subsequent to the sale.
	The following table details the components of income from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012
	Rental property revenues	$	2,927		$	10,552			$	33,918
	Other revenues	29			40				3,557
	Third party management and leasing revenues	—			76				16,364
	Third party management and leasing expenses	—			(99		)		(13,678		)
	Impairment losses	—			—				(13,791		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(3,083		)		(13,479		)
	Other expenses	(28		)	(25		)		(49		)
	Rental property operating expenses	(1,128		)	(4,162		)		(10,935		)
	Income from discontinued operations	$	1,800		$	3,299			$	1,907
	Gains (losses) related on sales of discontinued operations are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012
	Lakeshore Park Plaza	$	13,025		$	—			$	—
	600 University Park Place	6,334			—				—
	The Avenue Forsyth	1			(77		)		4,508
	Inhibitex	2			2,989				—
	Tiffany Springs MarketCenter	(1		)	3,697				—
	Third party management and leasing business	(3		)	4,577				7,459
	Cosmopolitan Center	—			—				2,064
	The Avenue Webb Gin	—			(2		)		3,590
	Other	—			305				786
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net	$	19,358		$	11,489			$	18,407
	Acquisitions
	In 2014, the Company acquired Northpark Town Center, a 1.5 million square foot office asset located in Atlanta, Georgia. The gross purchase price for this property was $348.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits. The Company incurred $643,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with this acquisition.
	In 2014, the Company acquired Fifth Third Center, a 698,000 square foot Class A office tower located in the Charlotte, North Carolina central business district. The gross purchase price for this property was $215.0 million, before adjustments for customary closing costs and other closing credits. The Company incurred $328,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with this acquisition.
	In 2013, the Company acquired Greenway Plaza, a 10-building, 4.3 million square foot office complex in Houston, Texas, and 777 Main, a 980,000 square foot Class A office building in the central business district of Fort Worth, Texas (collectively the “Texas Acquisition”). The aggregate purchase price for the Texas Acquisition was $1.1 billion, before adjustment for brokers fees, transfer taxes and other customary closing costs.
	In conjunction with the Texas Acquisition, the Company entered into a $950 million Loan Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A. (the "Term Loan") to assist, if necessary, in the funding of the Texas Acquisition. The Term Loan was not used to finance the Texas Acquisition and, pursuant to the agreement, terminated on the acquisition date. The Company incurred fees and other costs associated with the Term Loan of $2.6 million. In addition, the Company incurred $4.2 million in other acquisition costs related to the Texas Acquisition. The term loan costs and other acquisition costs are included in acquisition and related costs on the statement of operations.
	In 2013, the Company acquired 816 Congress Avenue, a 435,000 square foot Class-A office property located in the central business district of Austin, Texas. The purchase price for this property, net of rent credits, was $102.4 million. The Company incurred $342,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with this acquisition.
	In 2013, the Company purchased the remaining 80% interest in MSREF/ Cousins Terminus 200 LLC for $53.8 million and simultaneously repaid the mortgage loan secured by the Terminus 200 property in the amount of $74.6 million. The Company recognized a gain of $19.7 million on this acquisition achieved in stages. Immediately thereafter, the Company contributed its interest in the Terminus 200 property and its interest in the Terminus 100 property, together with the existing mortgage loan secured by the Terminus 100 property, to a newly-formed entity, Terminus Office Holdings LLC (“TOH”), and sold 50% of TOH to institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management for $112.2 million. The Company recognized a gain of $37.1 million on this transaction. The Company incurred $122,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with these transactions. TOH closed a new mortgage loan on the Terminus 200 property in the amount of $82.0 million, and the Company received a distribution of $39.2 million from TOH as a result. TOH is an unconsolidated joint venture of the Company (see note 5).
	Concurrent with the Terminus 100 and 200 transactions, the Company purchased Post Oak Central, a 1.3 million square foot, Class-A office complex in the Galleria district of Houston, Texas for $230.9 million, net of rent credits, from an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The Company incurred $231,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with this acquisition.
	In 2012, the Company purchased 2100 Ross Avenue, a 844,000 square foot Class-A office building in the Arts District submarket of Dallas, Texas, and paid cash of $59.2 million. The Company incurred $408,000 in acquisition and related costs associated with this purchase.
	The following tables summarize allocations of the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities of the acquisitions discussed above (in thousands):
		Northpark Town Center			Fifth Third Center				Post Oak Central				Terminus 200			816 Congress Avenue			Texas Acquisition			2100 Ross Avenue
	Tangible assets:
	Land and improvements	$	24,577		$	22,863			$	88,406			$	25,040		$	6,817		$	306,563		$	5,987
	Building	274,151			163,649				118,470				101,472			86,391			586,150			36,705
	Tenant improvements	21,674			16,781				10,877				17,600			3,500			114,220			9,034
	Other assets	—			1,014				—				101			—			—			—
	Deferred rents receivable	—			—				—				44			—			—			—
	Tangible assets	320,402			204,307				217,753				144,257			96,708			1,006,933			51,726
	Intangible assets:
	Above-market leases	2,846			632				995				1,512			89			4,959			3,267
	In-place leases	30,159			17,096				26,968				14,355			8,222			117,630			8,888
	Below-market ground leases	—			338				—				—			—			2,958			—
Ground lease purchase option	—			—				—				—			2,403			—			—
Total intangible assets	33,005			18,066				27,963				15,867			10,714			125,547			12,155
Tangible liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	—			(1,026		)		—				—			—			—			—
Total tangible liabilities	—			(1,026		)		—				—			—			—			—
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases	(8,018		)	(9,374		)		(14,792		)		(9,273		)	(2,820		)	(47,170		)	(436		)
Above-market ground lease	—			—				—				—			(1,981		)	(2,508		)	—
Total intangible liabilities	(8,018		)	(9,374		)		(14,792		)		(9,273		)	(4,801		)	(49,678		)	(436		)
Total net assets acquired	$	345,389		$	211,973			$	230,924			$	150,851		$	102,621		$	1,082,802		$	63,445
See note 6 for a schedule of the timing of amortization of the intangible assets and liabilities and the weighted average amortization periods.
The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information is presented for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The pro forma information is based upon the Company's historical consolidated statements of operations, adjusted as if the Northpark Town Center, Post Oak Central, Terminus, 816 Congress Avenue and the Texas Acquisition transactions discussed above had occurred at the beginning of each of the periods presented. The supplemental pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of future results or of actual results that would have been achieved had the transactions been consummated at the beginning of each period.
	2014			2013
	(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	388,791		$	354,047
Income from continuing operations	31,695			119,825
Net income	52,853			134,613
Net income available to common stockholders	45,364			116,881
Per share information:
Basic	$	0.22		$	0.62
Diluted	$	0.22		$	0.62

Notes_and_Accounts_Receivables

Notes and Accounts Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
NOTES AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES	NOTES AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, notes and accounts receivables included the following (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Notes receivable	$	414		$	1,445
	Allowance for doubtful accounts related to notes receivable	(414		)	(995		)
	Tenant and other receivables	11,961			12,160
	Allowance for doubtful accounts related to tenant and other receivables	(1,229		)	(832		)
		$	10,732		$	11,778
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the Company’s notes receivable approximated the cost basis. Fair value was calculated by discounting future cash flows from the notes receivable at estimated rates in which similar loans would have been made at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The estimate of the rate, which is the most significant input in the discounted cash flow calculation, is intended to replicate notes of similar type and maturity. This fair value calculation is considered to be a Level 3 calculation under the accounting guidelines, as the Company utilizes internally generated assumptions regarding current interest rates at which similar instruments would be executed.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES	INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES
	The following information summarizes financial data and principal activities of the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures. The information included in the following table entitled summary of financial position is as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The information included in the summary of operations table is for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands).
		Total Assets					Total Debt					Total Equity						Company's Investment
	SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:	2014			2013		2014		2013			2014			2013			2014				2013
	Terminus Office Holdings	$	288,415		$	297,815	$	213,640	$	215,942		$	62,830		$	69,867		$	32,323			$	35,885
	EP I LLC	85,228			88,130		58,029		57,092			26,671			29,229			22,905				25,319
	EP II LLC	42,772			12,644		12,735		1			24,969			11,695			19,905				9,566
	Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC	130,272			135,966		35,530		52,408			92,808			82,373			11,218				11,252
	HICO Victory Center LP	9,962			—		—		—			9,962			—			7,572				—
	CL Realty, L.L.C.	7,264			7,602		—		—			7,042			7,374			3,546				3,704
	Temco Associates, LLC	6,910			8,474		—		—			6,709			8,315			3,027				4,083
	Cousins Watkins LLC	—			51,653		—		27,710			—			23,081			—				17,213
	Wildwood Associates	16,400			21,127		—		—			16,389			21,121			(1,106		)	-1	(1,689		)	-1
	Crawford Long - CPI, LLC	29,946			32,042		75,000		75,000			(45,762		)	(44,295		)	(21,931		)	-1	(21,071		)	-1
	Other	1,411			1,931		—		—			979			1,700			2				60
		$	618,580		$	657,384	$	394,934	$	428,153		$	202,597		$	210,460		$	77,461			$	84,322
		Total Revenues							Net Income (Loss)									Company's Share of Net
																		Income (Loss)
	SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:	2014			2013		2012		2014			2013			2012			2014				2013				2012
	Terminus Office Holdings	$	39,531		$	33,109	$	—	$	663		$	(408	)	$	—		$	308			$	(182	)		$	—
	EP I LLC	12,049			8,261		796		2,583			100			(441		)	1,937				75				(330		)
	EP II LLC	—			—		—		—			—			—			—				—				—
	Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC	33,903			33,281		32,901		11,645			10,693			9,704			1,176				1,176				1,176
	HICO Victory Center LP	—			—		—		—			—			—			—				—				—
	CL Realty, L.L.C.	1,573			1,603		2,667		1,069			1,027			1,068			542				524				221
	Temco Associates, LLC	2,155			630		702		495			96			(65		)	(6		)		(12		)		(236		)
	Cousins Watkins LLC	4,415			5,483		5,575		8,286			55			(24		)	4,168				2,306				2,397
	Wildwood Associates	3,329			—		1		(1,704		)	(151		)	(139		)	2,097				(75		)		(70		)
	Crawford Long - CPI, LLC	11,945			11,829		11,579		2,775			2,827			2,508			1,407				1,372				1,248
	MSREF/ Cousins Terminus 200 LLC	(19		)	1,197		12,265		14			(235		)	(1,069		)	3				(69		)		(215		)
	Palisades West LLC	—			—		15,401		—			(27		)	5,330			—				—				25,547
	Ten Peachtree Place Associates	—			—		2,488		—			—			20,895			—				—				7,843
	CP Venture Five LLC	—			20,192		30,007		—			3,075			3,943			(17		)		17,070				1,059
	CP Venture Two LLC	—			12,965		19,533		—			7,033			10,473			—				21,590				1,208
	CF Murfreesboro Associates	4			8,067		13,152		4			48,953			602			(390		)		23,553				16
	Other	441			490		1,271		(473		)	(144		)	(147		)	43				(3		)		(606		)
		$	109,326		$	137,107	$	148,338	$	25,357		$	72,894		$	52,638		$	11,268			$	67,325			$	39,258
	(1) Negative balances are included in deferred income on the balance sheets.
	Terminus Office Holdings LLC ("TOH") – In 2013, TOH, a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management ("JPM"), was formed for the purpose of owning and operating two office buildings in Atlanta, Georgia. See note 3 for further details. TOH has two non-recourse mortgage loans totaling $213.6 million that mature on January 1, 2023. The weighted average interest rate on these fixed rate loans is 4.69%. The Company does not consolidate TOH because the Company and its partner share decision making abilities and have joint control over the venture. Operating cash flows and proceeds from capital transactions of TOH are allocated to the partners equally until JPM receives an agreed upon return, after which the Company may receive an additional promoted interest. The assets of the venture in the above table include a cash balance of $7.9 million at December 31, 2014.
	EP I LLC (“EP I”) – EP I is a joint venture between the Company, with a 75% ownership interest, and Lion Gables Realty Limited Partnership (“Gables”), with a 25% ownership interest, for the purpose of developing and operating Emory Point, the first phase of a mixed-use property in Atlanta, Georgia. The Company does not consolidate EP I because the Company and Gables share decision making abilities and have joint control over the venture. Operating cash flows and proceeds from capital transactions of EP I are allocated to the partners pro rata based on their percentage ownership interests. EP I has a non-recourse construction loan with and outstanding balance $58.0 million at December 31, 2014, and the loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%. The assets of the venture in the above table include a cash balance of $917,000 at December 31, 2014.
	EP II LLC (“EP II”) – In 2013, EP II was formed between the Company, with a 75% ownership interest, and Lion Gables Realty Limited Partnership (“Gables”), with a 25% ownership interest, for the purpose of developing and operating Emory Point II, the second phase of a mixed-use property in Atlanta, Georgia. The Company does not consolidate EP II because the Company and Gables share decision making abilities and have joint control over the venture. Operating cash flows and proceeds from capital transactions of EP II are allocated to the partners pro rata based on their percentage ownership interests. EP II has a construction loan to provide for up to$46.0 million to fund construction, $12.7 million of which was outstanding at December 31, 2014, and the loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.85%. The loan matures October 9, 2016 and may be extended for two, one-year periods if certain conditions are met. The Company and Gables guarantee up to $8.6 million and $2.9 million of the construction loan, respectively. These guarantees may be eliminated after project completion, based on certain conditions. The assets of the venture in the above table include a cash balance of $175,000 at December 31, 2014.
	Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC (“Gateway”) – Gateway is a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and Bank of America Corporation (“BOA”), which owns and operates Gateway Village, a 1.1 million square foot office building in Charlotte, North Carolina. The project is 100% leased to BOA through December 1, 2016. Gateway’s net income or loss and cash distributions are allocated to the members as follows: first to the Company so that it receives a cumulative compounded return equal to 11.46% on its capital contributions, second to BOA until it receives an amount equal to the aggregate amount distributed to the Company, and then 50% to each member. The Company’s total project return on Gateway is ultimately limited to an internal rate of return of 17% on its invested capital. Gateway has a non-recourse mortgage loan with an outstanding balance at December 31, 2014 of $35.5 million, a maturity of December 1, 2016 and an interest rate of 6.41%. The assets of the venture in the above table include a cash balance of $3.2 million at December 31, 2014.
	HICO Victory Center LP ("HICO") – In 2014, HICO, a joint venture between the Company and Hines Victory Center Associates Limited Partnership ("Hines"), was formed for the purpose of acquiring and subsequently developing an office parcel in Dallas, Texas. Pursuant to the joint venture agreement, all pre-development expenditures, other than land, are funded equally by the partners. The Company is required to fund 75% of the cost of land while Hines is required to fund 25%. If the partners decide to commence construction of an office building, the capital accounts and economics of the venture will be adjusted such that the Company will effectively own at least 90% of the venture and Hines will own up to 10%. As of December 31, 2014 the Company accounts for its investment in HICO under the equity method because it does not control the activities of the venture. If the partners decide to construct an office building within the venture, the Company expects to consolidate the venture. The Company's investment in HICO at December 31, 2014 includes its share of pre-development expenditures and its share of land purchased by the venture.
	CL Realty, L.L.C. (“CL Realty”) – CL Realty, a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and Forestar Realty Inc. ("Forestar"), was one of two ventures through which the Company operated the majority of its residential land business. In the first quarter of 2012, CL Realty sold substantially all of its assets to Forestar. At December 31, 2014, CL Realty owned one parcel of land in Texas and mineral rights associated with one project in Texas. The assets of the venture in the above table include a cash balance of $413,000 at December 31, 2014.
	Temco Associates, LLC (“Temco”) – Temco, a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and Forestar, was one of two ventures through which the Company operated the majority of its residential land business. In the first quarter of 2012, Temco sold substantially all of its assets to Forestar. At December 31, 2014, Temco owned various parcels of land and a golf course. The assets of the venture in the above table include a cash balance of $196,000 at December 31, 2014.
	Cousins Watkins LLC ("CW") – CW was a joint venture between the Company and Watkins Retail Group (“Watkins”), for the purpose of owning and operating four retail centers in Tennessee and Florida. In 2014, CW sold substantially all of its assets and made a distribution of $19.8 million to the Company. Income from unconsolidated joint ventures includes the Company's share of the gain on the sale of these assets of $2.2 million.
	Wildwood Associates (“Wildwood”) – Wildwood is a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and IBM which owns 27 acres of undeveloped land in the Wildwood Office Park in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2014, Wildwood sold a tract of land resulting in the Company recognizing income from unconsolidated joint ventures of $2.1 million. Of this income, $582,000 represents recognition of deferred income associated with Wildwood's negative investment. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s investment in Wildwood was a credit balance of $1.1 million. This credit balance resulted from cumulative distributions from Wildwood over time that exceeded the Company’s basis in its contributions, and essentially represents deferred gain not recognized at venture formation. This credit balance will decline as the venture’s remaining land is sold. The Company does not have any obligation to fund Wildwood’s working capital needs.
	Crawford Long—CPI, LLC (“Crawford Long”) – Crawford Long is a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and Emory University and owns the Emory University Hospital Midtown Medical Office Tower, a 358,000 square foot medical office building located in Atlanta, Georgia. Crawford Long has a $75.0 million 3.5% fixed rate mortgage note, which matures on June 1, 2023. Upon closing of the new mortgage note in 2013, the Company received a distribution of $14.3 million from the joint venture. The assets of the venture in the above table include a cash balance of $812,000 at December 31, 2014.
	MSREF/Cousins Terminus 200 LLC (“MSREF/T200”) – MSREF/T200 was a joint venture between the Company and Morgan Stanley, which owned and operated Terminus 200, a 566,000 square foot office building in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, Georgia. At December 31, 2012, the Company held a 20% interest in MSREF/T200 and Morgan Stanley held an 80% interest. In 2013, the Company purchased Terminus 200 from MSREF/T200. See note 3 for further details.
	CP Venture Five LLC (“CPV Five”) – The Company held a 11.5% effective ownership interest in CPV Five, which owned five retail properties totaling 1.2 million rentable square feet; three in Atlanta, Georgia and two in Viera, Florida. In 2013, the Company sold its interest in CP Venture Two LLC and CPV Five to its partner and recognized a gain totaling $37.0 million.
	CP Venture Two LLC (“CPV Two”) – The Company held a 10.4% effective ownership interest in CPV Two, which at December 31, 2012 owned three retail properties totaling 934,000 rentable square feet. In 2013, the Company sold its interest in CPV Two and CPV Five to its partner and recognized a gain totaling $37.0 million. During 2012, CPV Two sold Presbyterian Medical Plaza, a 69,000 square foot office building in Charlotte, North Carolina for a gain, the Company's share of which was $167,000.
	CF Murfreesboro Associates (“CF Murfreesboro”) – CF Murfreesboro was a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and an affiliate of Faison Associates. CF Murfreesboro owned and operated The Avenue Murfreesboro, a 751,000 square foot retail center located in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2013, CF Murfreesboro sold The Avenue Murfreesboro, the venture's only asset. The Company recognized a gain on this transaction through income from unconsolidated joint ventures of $23.5 million.
	Palisades West LLC (“Palisades”) – The Company held a 50% interest in Palisades, which owned and operated two office buildings totaling 373,000 square feet in Austin, Texas. In 2012, the Company sold its interest in Palisades to its 50% partner and recognized a $23.3 million gain on the sale.
	Ten Peachtree Place Associates (“TPPA”) – TPPA was a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company. TPPA owned Ten Peachtree Place, a 260,000 square foot office building located in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2012, Ten Peachtree Place was sold for $45.3 million to an unrelated third party. The Company recognized a gain on this transaction through income from unconsolidated entities of $7.3 million.
	The Company recognized $5.2 million, $7.8 million, and $8.7 million of development, leasing, and management fees, including salary and expense reimbursements, from unconsolidated joint ventures in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See note 2, fee income, for a discussion of the accounting treatment for fees and reimbursements from unconsolidated joint ventures.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	ASSETS
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, intangible assets included the following (in thousands):
			2014			2013
	In-place leases, net of accumulated amortization of $62,302 and $26,239 in 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	147,360		$	152,830
	Above-market tenant leases, net of accumulated amortization of $13,748 and $11,284 in 2014 and 2013, respectively		12,017			12,332
	Below-market ground lease, net of accumulated amortization of $21 in 2013		—			1,680
	Goodwill		3,867			4,131
			$	163,244		$	170,973
	Intangible assets, other than goodwill, mainly relate to the acquisitions in 2014, 2013, and 2012 (see note 3). Aggregate net amortization expense related to intangible assets and liabilities was $32.7 million, $16.9 million, and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Over the next five years and thereafter, aggregate amortization of these intangible assets and liabilities is anticipated to be as follows (in thousands):
		Below			Above			Above		In Place		Total
		Market Rents			Market Ground Lease			Market Rents		Leases
	2015	$	(10,477	)	$	(55	)	$	2,784	$	32,993	$	25,245
	2016	(9,803		)	(55		)	2,397		27,305		19,844
	2017	(8,884		)	(55		)	1,717		20,430		13,208
	2018	(8,092		)	(55		)	1,489		16,882		10,224
	2019	(6,050		)	(55		)	997		11,760		6,652
	Thereafter	(24,160		)	(2,279		)	2,633		37,990		14,184
		$	(67,466	)	$	(2,554	)	$	12,017	$	147,360	$	89,357
	Weighted average remaining lease term	9 years			49 years			7 years		7 years
	Goodwill relates entirely to the office reporting unit. As office assets are sold, either by the Company or by joint ventures in which the Company has an interest, goodwill is allocated to the cost of each sale. The following is a summary of goodwill activity for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Beginning Balance	$	4,131		$	4,751
	Allocated to property sales	(264		)	(620		)
	Ending Balance	$	3,867		$	4,131

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
NOTES PAYABLE	OTES PAYABLE
	The following table summarizes the terms of notes payable outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
	Description		Interest Rate		Maturity			2014				2013
	Post Oak Central mortgage note		4.26%		2020			185,109				188,310
	Credit Facility, unsecured		1.27%		2019			140,200				40,075
	The American Cancer Society Center mortgage note		6.45%		2017			131,083				132,714
	Promenade mortgage note		4.27%		2022			110,946				113,573
	191 Peachtree Tower mortgage note		3.35%		2018			100,000				100,000
	816 Congress mortgage note		3.75%		2024			85,000				—
	Meridian Mark Plaza mortgage note		6.00%		2020			25,408				25,813
	The Points at Waterview mortgage note		5.66%		2016			14,598				15,139
	Mahan Village LLC construction facility		1.80%		—			—				14,470
								$	792,344			$	630,094
	Credit Facility
	In 2014, the Company modified its $350 million senior unsecured line of credit by entering into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “New Facility”), which replaced the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 28, 2012 (the “Existing Facility"). The New Facility amended the Existing Facility by:
	•	Increasing the size by $150 million to $500 million;
	•	Extending the maturity date from February 28, 2016 to May 28, 2019;
	•	Reducing the per annum variable interest rate and other fees; and
	•	Providing for the expansion of the New Facility by an additional $250 million for a total available of $750 million, subject to receipt of additional commitments from lenders and other customary conditions.
	The New Facility contains financial covenants that require, among other things, the maintenance of an unencumbered interest coverage ratio of at least 2.00; a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.50; an overall leverage ratio of no more than 60%; and a minimum shareholders' equity in an amount equal to $1.0 billion, plus a portion of the net cash proceeds from certain equity issuances. The New Facility also contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, as well as customary events of default. The amounts outstanding under the New Facility may be accelerated upon the occurrence of any events of default.
	The interest rate applicable to the New Facility varies according to the Company’s leverage ratio, and may, at the election of the Company, be determined based on either (1) the current London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus the applicable spread as detailed below or (2) the greater of Bank of America's prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the one-month LIBOR plus 1.0% (the “Base Rate”), plus the applicable spread as detailed below. Fees on letters of credit issued under the New Facility are payable at an annual rate equal to the spread applicable to loans bearing interest based on LIBOR. The Company also pays an annual facility fee on the total commitments under the New Facility. The pricing spreads and the facility fee under the New Facility are as follows:
	Leverage Ratio		Applicable % Spread for LIBOR		Applicable % Spread for Base Rate		Annual Facility Fee %
	≤ 30%		1.10%		0.10%		0.15%
	>30% but ≤ 35%		1.10%		0.10%		0.20%
	>35% but ≤ 40%		1.15%		0.15%		0.20%
	>40% but ≤ 45%		1.20%		0.20%		0.20%
	>45% but ≤ 50%		1.20%		0.20%		0.25%
	>50%		1.45%		0.45%		0.30%
	At December 31, 2014, the Credit Facility's spread over LIBOR was 1.1%. The amount that the Company may draw under the Credit Facility is a defined calculation based on the Company's unencumbered assets and other factors. The total available borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility was $359.8 million at December 31, 2014, and the Credit Facility is recourse to the Company.
	Other Debt Information
	In 2014, the Company entered into a $85.0 million non-recourse mortgage note payable secured by 816 Congress. The mortgage note has a fixed rate of 3.75% and matures in November 2024. The Company also sold Mahan Village which was owned in a consolidated joint venture, and repaid the accompanying construction facility without penalty.
	The real estate and other assets of The American Cancer Society Center (the “ACS Center”) are restricted under the ACS Center loan agreement in that they are not available to settle debts of the Company. However, provided that the ACS Center loan has not incurred any uncured event of default, as defined in the loan agreement, the cash flows from the ACS Center, after payments of debt service, operating expenses and reserves, are available for distribution to the Company.
	The majority of the Company’s consolidated debt is fixed-rate long-term non-recourse mortgage notes payable. Assets with depreciated carrying values of $680.9 million were pledged as security on the $652.1 million mortgage notes payable. As of December 31, 2014, the weighted average maturity of the Company’s consolidated debt was 5.4 years.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the estimated fair value of the Company’s notes payable was $835.4 million and $654.1 million, respectively, calculated by discounting the debt's remaining contractual cash flows at estimated rates at which similar loans could have been obtained at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The estimate of the current market rate, which is the most significant input in the discounted cash flow calculation, is intended to replicate debt of similar maturity and loan-to-value relationship. These fair value calculations are considered to be Level 2 under the guidelines as set forth in ASC 820 as the Company utilizes market rates for similar type loans from third party brokers.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, interest was recorded as follows (in thousands):
		2014				2013				2012
	Total interest incurred	$	31,862			$	22,227			$	25,570
	Interest capitalized	(2,752		)		(518		)		(1,637		)
	Total interest expense	$	29,110			$	21,709			$	23,933
	Debt Maturities
	Future principal payments due on the Company's notes payable at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	8,825
	2016	24,095
	2017	138,195
	2018	105,734
	2019	149,647
	Thereafter	365,848
		$	792,344

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Commitments
	The Company had a total of $102.5 million in future obligations under leases to fund tenant improvements and in other future construction obligations at December 31, 2014. The Company had outstanding letters of credit and performance bonds totaling $2.4 million at December 31, 2014. The Company recorded lease expense of $1.3 million, $1.1 million, and $963,000 in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company has future lease commitments under ground leases and operating leases totaling $146.7 million over weighted average remaining terms of 86.6 and 1.7 years, respectively. Amounts due under these lease commitments are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	1,780
	2016	1,811
	2017	1,737
	2018	1,696
	2019	1,657
	Thereafter	138,063
		$	146,744
	Litigation
	The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which are expected to be covered by liability insurance. Management makes assumptions and estimates concerning the likelihood and amount of any potential loss relating to these matters using the latest information available. The Company records a liability for litigation if an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and a reasonable estimate of the loss is a range, the Company accrues the best estimate within the range. If no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the Company accrues the minimum amount within the range. If an unfavorable outcome is probable but the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the litigation and indicates that an estimate of the loss or range of loss cannot be made. If an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and the estimated loss is material, the Company discloses the nature and estimate of the possible loss of the litigation. The Company does not disclose information with respect to litigation where an unfavorable outcome is considered to be remote or where the estimated loss would not be material. Based on current expectations, such matters, both individually and in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, results of operations, business or financial condition of the Company.

Noncontrolling_Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest Items [Abstract]
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
	The Company consolidates various ventures that are involved in the ownership and/or development of real estate. The partner’s share of the entity, in cases where the entity’s documents do not contain a required redemption clause, is reflected in a separate line item called nonredeemable noncontrolling interests within equity in the balance sheets. Correspondingly, the partner’s share of income or loss is recorded in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the statements of operations.
	Other consolidated ventures contain provisions requiring the Company to purchase the partners’ share of the venture at a certain value upon demand or at a future prescribed date. In these situations, the partner’s share of the entity is recognized as redeemable noncontrolling interests and is presented between liabilities and equity in the balance sheets, with the corresponding share of income or loss in the venture recorded in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the statements of operations. The redemption values are evaluated each period and adjusted within equity to the higher of fair value or the partner’s cost basis.
	The following table details the components of redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Beginning Balance	$	—	$	—
	Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		68
	Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		(68		)
	Ending Balance	$	—	$	—
	The following reconciles the net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests as recorded in the statements of equity and the net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests as recorded outside of the equity section on the balance sheets to the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests on the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 (in thousands):
		2014		2013			2012
	Net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	$	1,004	$	5,000		$	4,193
	Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		68			(2,002		)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	1,004	$	5,068		$	2,191

Stockholders_Equity_Notes

Stockholders' Equity (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	In 2014, the Company issued 26.7 million shares of common stock, in two offerings, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $321.9 million, which includes customary legal, accounting, and other expenses. In 2013, the Company issued 85.6 million shares of common stock, in two offerings, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $826.2 million.
	In 2014, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7.5% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $1 per share, for $25 per share or $94.8 million, excluding accrued dividends. In connection with this redemption, the Company decreased net income available for common shareholders by $3.5 million (non-cash), which represents the original issuance costs applicable to the shares redeemed.
	In 2013, the Company redeemed all outstanding shares of its 7 3/4% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $1 per share, for $25 per share or $74.8 million. In connection with this redemption, the Company increased net loss available for common shareholders by $2.7 million (non-cash), which represents the original issuance costs applicable to the shares redeemed. In addition, the Company reclassified these costs as well as the basis difference in the preferred stock repurchased by the Company in 2008 from Additional Paid-In Capital to Distributions in Excess of Net Income within the Company's statements of equity.
	Ownership Limitations — In order to minimize the risk that the Company will not meet one of the requirements for qualification as a REIT, Cousins’ Articles of Incorporation include certain restrictions on the ownership of more than 3.9% of the Company’s total common and preferred stock, subject to waiver by Board of Directors.
	Distribution of REIT Taxable Income — The following reconciles dividends paid and dividends applied in 2014, 2013, and 2012 to meet REIT distribution requirements (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Common and preferred dividends paid	$	64,510		$	37,200		$	31,655
	Dividends treated as taxable compensation	(110		)	(98		)	(147		)
	Portion of dividends declared in current year, and paid in current year, which was applied to the prior year distribution requirements	(2,182		)	(470		)	—
	Portion of dividends declared in subsequent year, and paid in subsequent year, which apply to current year distribution requirements	—			2,182			470
	Dividends applied to meet current year REIT distribution requirements	$	62,218		$	38,814		$	31,978
	Tax Status of Distributions — The following summarizes the components of the taxability of the Company’s distributions for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
		Total			Ordinary			Long-Term			Unrecaptured		Cash Liquidation Distributions
		Distributions			Dividends			Capital Gain			Section 1250
		Per Share									Gain (A)
	Common:
	2014	$	0.3		$	0.281564		$	0.018436		$	0.018436	$	—
	2013	$	0.18		$	0.170355		$	0.009645		$	0.009457	$	—
	2012	$	0.18		$	0.124724		$	0.055276		$	0.055276	$	—
	Series A Preferred:
	2014	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	2013	$	0.96875		$	0.966882		$	0.001868		$	—	$	25
	2012	$	1.9375		$	1.34222		$	0.59528		$	0.59528	$	—
	Series B Preferred:
	2014	$	25.77604		$	0.46775		$	0.001		$	0.001	$	25.30729
	2013	$	1.875		$	1.774673		$	0.100327		$	0.098519	$	—
	2012	$	1.875		$	1.298222		$	0.576078		$	0.576078	$	—
	(A)	Represents a portion of the dividend allocated to long-term capital gain.

Rental_Property_Revenues

Rental Property Revenues	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
RENTAL PROPERTY REVENUES	The Company’s leases typically contain escalation provisions and provisions requiring tenants to pay a pro rata share of operating expenses. The leases typically include renewal options and are classified and accounted for as operating leases.
	At December 31, 2014 future minimum rents to be received by consolidated entities under existing non-cancelable leases are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	219,974
	2016	218,991
	2017	200,654
	2018	191,446
	2019	166,739
	Thereafter	651,690
		$	1,649,494

Equity_and_StockBased_Compensa

Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company maintains the 2009 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which allows the Company to issue awards of stock options, stock grants, or stock appreciation rights to employees and directors. As of December 31, 2014, 2,482,592 shares were authorized to be awarded pursuant to the 2009 Plan. The Company also maintains the 2005 Restricted Stock Unit ("RSU")Plan, as amended, which allows the Company to issue awards to employees that are paid in cash on the vesting date in an amount equal to the fair market value, as defined, of one share of the Company’s stock. The Company has granted stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees as discussed below.
	Stock Options
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had 2,210,905 stock options outstanding to key employees and outside directors pursuant to the 2009 Plan. The Company typically uses authorized, unissued shares to provide shares for option exercises. The stock options have a term of ten years from the date of grant and generally have a vesting period of four years, except director stock options, which vest immediately.
	The Company calculates the fair value of each option grant on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the Company to provide certain inputs as follows:
	•	The risk-free interest rate utilized is the interest rate on U.S. Treasury Strips or Bonds having the same life as the estimated life of the Company’s option awards.
	•	Expected life of the options granted is estimated based on historical data reflecting actual hold periods plus an estimated hold period for unexercised options outstanding.
	•	Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock over a period equal to the estimated option life.
	•	The assumed dividend yield is based on the Company’s expectation of an annual dividend rate for regular dividends over the estimated life of the option.
	In 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no stock option grants.
	The Company recognizes compensation expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period of the options, with the offset recognized in additional paid-in capital. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, $140,000, $226,000 and $310,000, respectively, was recognized as compensation expense.
	The Company anticipates recognizing $15,000 in future compensation expense related to stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014, which will be recognized in the first quarter of 2015. During 2014, total cash proceeds from the exercise of options equaled $1.7 million. As of December 31, 2014, the intrinsic value of the options outstanding and exercisable was $2.1 million. The intrinsic value is calculated using the exercise prices of the options compared to the market value of the Company’s stock. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the weighted-average contractual lives for the options outstanding and exercisable were 2.8 years and 3.2 years, respectively.
	The following is a summary of stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Options		Exercise Price Per Option
		(000s)
	Outstanding, beginning of year	3,078		$	22.9
	Exercised	(206	)	$	8.26
	Forfeited/Expired	(661	)	$	28.18
	Outstanding, end of year	2,211		$	22.69
	Options exercisable at end of year	2,180		$	22.89
	Restricted Stock
	In 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company issued 137,591, 159,782, and 470,306 shares of restricted stock to employees, which vest ratably over three years from the issuance date. In 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company also issued 55,293, 50,085, and 72,153 shares of stock to independent members of the board of directors which vested immediately on the issuance date. All shares of restricted stock receive dividends and have voting rights during the vesting period. The Company records restricted stock in common stock and additional paid-in capital at fair value on the grant date, with the offsetting deferred compensation also recorded in additional paid-in capital. The Company records compensation expense over the vesting period. Compensation expense related to restricted stock was $1.8 million, $1.8 million, and $2.0 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had recorded $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost included in additional paid-in capital related to restricted stock, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years. The total fair value of the restricted stock which vested during 2014 was $2.7 million. The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during 2014:
		Number of		Weighted-Average Grant Date
		Shares		Fair Value
		(000s)
	Non-vested restricted stock at beginning of year	450		$	8
	Granted	138		$	10.75
	Vested	(236	)	$	8
	Forfeited	(10	)	$	9.48
	Non-vested restricted stock at end of year	342		$	9.08
	Restricted Stock Units
	In 2011, the Company awarded 57,246 time-vested RSUs, which cliff vest three years from the date of grant. Time-vested RSU holders receive cash dividend payments for each unit held during the vesting period equal to the common dividends per share paid by the Company. These dividends are also recorded in compensation expense.
	The following table summarizes time-vested RSU activity for 2014 (in thousands):
	Outstanding at beginning of year	58
	Vested	(58	)
	Outstanding at end of year	—
	During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company awarded two types of performance-based RSUs to key employees: one based on the total stockholder return of the Company, as defined, as compared to that of a peer group of companies (the "TSR RSUs") and the other based on the ratio of cumulative funds from operations per share to targeted cumulative funds from operations per share (the “FFO RSUs”). The performance period for these awards is three years and the ultimate payout of these awards can range from 0% to 200% of the targeted number of units depending on the achievement of the performance metrics described above. The Company expenses an estimate of the fair value of the TSR RSUs over the performance period using a quarterly Monte Carlo valuation. The Company expenses the FFO RSUs over the vesting period using the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the reporting date multiplied by the anticipated number of units to be paid based on the current estimate of what the ratio is expected to be upon vesting. Dividend equivalents on the TSR RSUs and FFO RSUs will also be paid based upon the percentage vested. The targeted number of performance-based RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2014 are 161,783, 161,651, and 191,470 related to the 2014, 2013, and 2012 grants, respectively.
	In 2012, the Company also issued 281,532 performance-based RSUs to the Chief Executive Officer. The payout of these awards can range from 0% to 150% of the targeted number of units depending on the total stockholder return of the Company, as defined, as compared to that of a peer group of companies. The performance period of the awards is five years with interim performance measurement dates at each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries. To the extent that the Company has attained the defined performance goals at the end each of these periods, one-third of the units may be credited after each of the third and fourth anniversaries, with the balance credited at the end of the fifth anniversary, and to be awarded subject to continuous employment on the fifth anniversary. This award is expensed using a quarterly Monte Carlo valuation over the vesting period.
	The following table summarizes the performance-based RSU activity for 2014 (in thousands):
	Outstanding at beginning of year	755
	Granted	205
	Exercised	(150	)
	Forfeited	(14	)
	Outstanding at end of year	796
	The Company estimates future expense for all types of RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2014 to be $3.7 million (using stock prices and estimated target percentages as of December 31, 2014), which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years. During 2014, total cash paid for all types of RSUs and related dividend payments was $2.4 million.
	During 2014, 2013, and 2012, $5.4 million, $5.3 million, and $2.5 million, respectively, was recognized as compensation expense related to RSUs for employees and directors.
	Other Long-Term Compensation
	In 2009, the Company granted a long-term incentive compensation award to key employees which will be settled in cash if the Company’s stock price achieves a specified level of growth at the testing dates and a service requirement is met. This award is valued using the Monte Carlo method. The Company reversed $28,000 and $286,000 in compensation expense related to this plan in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and recognized $101,000 in expense in 2012. This award expired in 2014 with no amounts paid to key employees thereunder.

Retirement_Savings_Plan

Retirement Savings Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN	RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
	The Company maintains a defined contribution plan (the “Retirement Savings Plan”) pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) which covers active regular employees. Employees are eligible under the Retirement Savings Plan immediately upon hire, and pre-tax contributions are allowed up to the limits set by the Code. The Company has a match program of up to 3% of an employee’s eligible pre-tax Retirement Savings Plan contributions up to certain Code limits. Employees vest in Company contributions over a three-year period. The Company may change this percentage at its discretion, and, in addition, the Company could decide to make discretionary contributions in the future. The Company contributed $592,000, $422,000, and $722,000 to the Retirement Savings Plan for the 2014, 2013, and 2012 plan years, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES
	Through December 31, 2014, CREC was a taxable entity and its consolidated benefit (provision) for income taxes from operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012
	Current tax benefit (provision):
	Federal	$	—		$	—			$	—
	State	20			23				(91		)
		20			23				(91		)
	Deferred tax benefit (provision):
	Federal	—			—				—
	State	—			—				—
		—			—				—
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes from operations	$	20		$	23			$	(91	)
	The net income tax benefit (provision) differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to CREC’s income before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 as follows ($ in thousands):
		2014						2013						2012
		Amount			Rate			Amount				Rate		Amount			Rate
	Federal income tax benefit (expense)	$	(1,124	)	(35	)%		$	(1,287	)		(35	)%	$	(4,368	)	(35	)%
	State income tax benefit (expense), net of federal income tax effect	(125		)	(4	)%		(147		)		(4	)%	(91		)	—	%
	Valuation allowance	1,644			50	%		(361		)		(10	)%	7,055			57	%
	State deferred tax adjustment	(375		)	(11	)%		1,818				49	%	(2,687		)	(22	)%
	Other	—			—	%		—				—	%	—			—	%
	Benefit (provision) applicable to income (loss) from continuing operations	$	20		—	%		$	23			—	%	$	(91	)	—	%
	On December 31, 2014, CREC merged into Cousins and Cousins contributed some of the assets and contracts that were previously owned by CREC to Cousins TRS Services LLC ("CTRS"), a newly formed taxable REIT subsidiary of Cousins. Cousins retained many of CREC's tax benefits, including the significant portion of CREC's Federal and state tax carryforwards. Some of CREC's tax benefits were assumed by CTRS upon the contributions Cousins made to CTRS immediately following CREC's merger into Cousins. The deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2014 included in the table below include only those of CTRS. The deferred tax assets in the table below as of December 31, 2013 include those of CREC. The tax effect of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities of CTRS and CREC, as applicable, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	$	2,441		$	7,361
	Land	—			6,116
	Long-term incentive equity awards	—			2,089
	Interest carryforward	—			13,158
	Federal and state tax carryforwards	—			50,253
	Other	—			364
	Total deferred tax assets	2,441			79,341
	Valuation allowance	(2,441		)	(79,341		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—
	A valuation allowance is required to be recorded against deferred tax assets if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. When assessing the need for a valuation allowance, appropriate consideration should be given to all positive and negative evidence related to this realization. This evidence includes, among other things, the existence of current and recent cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the length of statutory carryforward periods, the Company’s history with loss carryforwards and available tax planning strategies.
	As of December 31, 2014 the deferred tax asset of CTRS equaled $2.4 million and as of December 31, 2013 the deferred tax asset of CREC equaled $79.3 million with a valuation allowance placed against the full amount of each. The conclusion that a valuation allowance should be recorded as of December 31, 2014 was based the lack of evidence that CTRS, as a newly formed entity, could generate future taxable income to realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance was recorded as of December 31, 2013 based on losses at CREC in current and recent years, and the inability of the Company to predict, with any degree of certainty, when CREC would generate income in the future in amounts sufficient to utilize the deferred tax asset.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
	Supplemental information related to cash flows, including significant non-cash activity affecting the Statements of Cash Flows, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		2014		2013		2012
	Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$	28,840	$	21,216	$	23,142
	Income taxes paid	4		90		63
	Non-Cash Transactions:
	Transfer from operating properties to operating properties and related assets held for sale	—		24,554		1,866
	Transfer from projects under development to operating properties	—		25,629		—
	Transfer from other assets to projects under development	—		3,062		—
	Transfer from land to projects under development	5,185		—		—

Reportable_Segments

Reportable Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
REPORTABLE SEGMENTS	REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had four reportable segments: Office, Retail, Land, and Other. In 2013 and 2012, the Company had an additional segment, Third Party Management and Leasing. In 2012, the Company sold its third party management and leasing business. See note 3 for detailed information. These reportable segments represent an aggregation of operating segments reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker based on similar economic characteristics that include the type of product and the nature of service. Each segment includes both consolidated operations and joint ventures. The Office and Retail segments show the results for that product type. The Land segment includes results of operations for certain land holdings and single-family residential communities that are sold as developed lots to homebuilders. Fee income and related expenses for the third party-owned properties which are managed or leased by the Company are included in the Third Party Management and Leasing segment. The Other segment includes:
	•	fee income for third party owned and joint venture properties for which the Company performs management, development, and leasing services;
	•	compensation for corporate employees
	•	general corporate overhead costs and interest expense for consolidated and unconsolidated entities;
	•	income attributable to noncontrolling interests;
	•	income taxes;
	•	depreciation; and
	•	preferred dividends
	Company management evaluates the performance of its reportable segments in part based on funds from operations available to common stockholders (“FFO”). FFO is a supplemental operating performance measure used in the real estate industry. The Company calculated FFO using the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ (“NAREIT”) definition of FFO, which is net income (loss) available to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, and gains on sale or impairment losses on depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures to reflect FFO on the same basis.
	FFO is used by industry analysts, investors, and the Company as a supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. Thus, NAREIT created FFO as a supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance that excludes historical cost depreciation, among other items, from GAAP net income. Management believes the use of FFO, combined with the required primary GAAP presentations, has been fundamentally beneficial, improving the understanding of operating results of REITs among the investing public and making comparisons of REIT operating results more meaningful. Company management evaluates operating performance in part based on FFO. Additionally, the Company uses FFO, along with other measures, to assess performance in connection with evaluating and granting incentive compensation to its officers and other key employees.
	Segment net income, the balance of the Company’s investment in joint ventures and the amount of capital expenditures are not presented in the following tables. Management does not utilize these measures when analyzing its segments or when making resource allocation decisions and, therefore, this information is not provided. FFO is reconciled to net income (loss) on a total Company basis (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31, 2014		Office				Retail			Land				Other				Total
	Net operating income		$	206,551			$	4,479		$	—			$	4,643			$	215,673
	Sales less costs of sales		—				—			3,868				42				3,910
	Fee income		—				—			—				12,519				12,519
	Other income		—				—			—				5,404				5,404
	Gain on sale of third party management and leasing		—				—			—				(3		)		(3		)
	Third party management and leasing expenses		—				—			—				(2		)		(2		)
	Separation expenses		—				—			—				(210		)		(210		)
	General and administrative expenses		—				—			—				(19,784		)		(19,784		)
	Reimbursed expenses		—				—			—				(3,652		)		(3,652		)
	Interest expense		—				—			—				(36,474		)		(36,474		)
	Other expenses		—				—			—				(5,692		)		(5,692		)
	Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs		—				—			—				(6,485		)		(6,485		)
	Funds from operations available to common stockholders		$	206,551			$	4,479		$	3,868			$	(49,694	)		$	165,204
	Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures																	(151,066		)
	Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures																	31,955
	Non-controlling interest related to the sale of depreciated properties																	(574		)
	Net income available to common stockholders																	$	45,519
	Total Assets		$	2,576,449			$	5,587		$	34,799			$	50,495			$	2,667,330
	Year ended December 31, 2013	Office					Retail				Land					Third Party Management and Leasing				Other				Total
	Net operating income	$	122,503				$	13,278			$	—				$	—			$	2,299			$	138,080
	Sales less costs of sales	—					—				1,273					—				191				1,464
	Fee income	—					—				—					76				10,891				10,967
	Other income	—					—				—					—				3,528				3,528
	Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	—					—				—					4,576				—				4,576
	Third party management and leasing expenses	—					—				—					(97		)		—				(97		)
	Separation expenses	—			—		—		—		—			—		—				(520		)		(520		)
	General and administrative expenses	—					—				—					—				(21,940		)		(21,940		)
	Reimbursed expenses	—					—				—					—				(5,215		)		(5,215		)
	Interest expense	—					—				—					—				(29,672		)		(29,672		)
	Other expenses	—					—				—					—				(11,373		)		(11,373		)
	Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs	—					—				—					—				(12,664		)		(12,664		)
	Funds from operations available to common stockholders	$	122,503				$	13,278			$	1,273				$	4,555			$	(64,475	)		$	77,134
	Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures																							(92,041		)
	Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties including the Company's share of joint ventures																							127,401
	Noncontrolling interest related to sale of depreciated properties																							(3,397		)
	Net income available to common stockholders																							$	109,097
	Total Assets	$	2,163,123				$	18,112			$	47,235				$	—			$	44,736			$	2,273,206
	Year ended December 31, 2012	Office				Retail			Land				Third Party Management and Leasing				Other				Total
	Net operating income	$	80,907			$	29,429		$	—			$	—			$	121			$	110,457
	Sales less costs of sales	—				—			4,915				—				309				5,224
	Fee income	—				—			—				16,365				17,797				34,162
	Other income	—				—			—				—				5,153				5,153
	Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	—				—			—				7,459				—				7,459
	Third party management and leasing expenses	—				—			—				(13,675		)		—				(13,675		)
	Separation expenses	—				—			—				—				(1,985		)		(1,985		)
	General and administrative expenses	—				—			—				—				(23,208		)		(23,208		)
	Reimbursed expenses	—				—			—				—				(7,063		)		(7,063		)
	Interest expense	—				—			—				—				(28,154		)		(28,154		)
	Impairment losses	—				—			—				—				(488		)		(488		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—				—			—				—				(94		)		(94		)
	Other expenses	—				—			—				—				(8,389		)		(8,389		)
Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs	—				—			—				—				(12,907		)		(12,907		)
Funds from operations available to common stockholders	$	80,907			$	29,429		$	4,915			$	10,149			$	(58,908	)		$	66,492
Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures																				-62,043
Impairment losses on depreciable investment properties, net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests																				-11,748
Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures																				41,944
Other																				-1,824
Net income available to common stockholders																				$	32,821
Total Assets	$	736,867			$	151,417		$	50,520			$	—			$	185,438			$	1,124,242
When reviewing the results of operations for the Company, management analyzes the following revenue and income items net of their related costs:
•	Rental property operations;
•	Land sales; and
•	Gains on sales of investment properties.
These amounts are shown in the segment tables above in the same “net” manner as shown to management. In addition, management reviews the operations of discontinued operations and its share of the operations of its joint ventures in the same manner as the operations of its wholly-owned properties included in the continuing operations. Therefore, the information in the tables above includes the operations of discontinued operations and its share of joint ventures in the same categories as the operations of the properties included in continuing operations. Certain adjustments are required to reconcile the above segment information to the Company’s consolidated revenues. The following table reconciles information presented in the tables above to the Company’s consolidated revenues (in thousands):
	2014				2013			2012
Net operating income	$	215,673			$	138,080		$	110,457
Sales less cost of sales	3,910				1,464			5,224
Fee income	12,519				10,967			34,162
Other income	5,404				3,528			5,153
Rental property operating expenses	155,934				90,498			50,329
Cost of sales	325				1,753			1,833
Net operating income in joint ventures	(25,896		)		(27,763		)	(23,956		)
Sales less cost of sales in joint ventures	(2,207		)		(111		)	(28		)
Net operating income in discontinued operations	(1,800		)		(6,390		)	(22,983		)
Fee income in discontinued operations	—				(76		)	(16,364		)
Other income in discontinued operations	(565		)		(64		)	(3,622		)
Termination fees in discontinued operations and in joint ventures	(187		)		—			—
Gain on land sales (included in gain on investment properties)	(1,727		)		(1,145		)	(3,719		)
Total consolidated revenues	$	361,383			$	210,741		$	136,486

Real_Estate_and_Accumulated_De

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION	COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
	REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
	December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
					Initial Cost to Company						Costs Capitalized Subsequent						Gross Amount at Which Carried
											to Acquisition						at Close of Period
	Description/Metropolitan Area	Encumbrances			Land and			Buildings and			Land and			Building and Improvements less Cost of Sales, Transfers and Other			Land and			Building and Improvements less Cost of Sales, Transfers and Other		Total (a)		Accumulated			Date of		Date		Life on Which Depreciation in 2014 Statement of Operations is Computed (b)
					Improvements			Improvements			Improvements						Improvements							Depreciation (a)			Construction/		Acquired
											less Cost of						less Cost of										Renovation
											Sales, Transfers						Sales, Transfers
											and Other						and Other
	OPERATING PROPERTIES
	Greenway Plaza	$	—		$	273,651		$	595,547		$	—		$	34,018		$	273,651		$	629,565	903,216		$	50,698		—		2013		30 years
	Houston, TX
	Northpark Town Center	—			24,577			295,825			—			3,999			24,577			299,824		324,401		3,119			—		2014		39 years
	Atlanta, GA
	Fifth Third Center	—			22,863			180,430			—			2,107			22,863			182,537		205,400		2,445			—		2014		40 years
	Charlotte, NC
	191 Peachtree Tower	100,000			5,355			141,012			4,034			87,100			9,389			228,112		237,501		77,637			—		2006		40 years
	Atlanta, GA
	Post Oak Central	185,109			87,264			129,347			—			24,033			87,264			153,380		240,644		15,561			—		2013		42 years
	Houston, TX
	Promenade	110,946			13,439			102,790			—			31,003			13,439			133,793		147,232		18,735			—		2011		34 years
	Atlanta, GA
	The American Cancer Society Center	131,083			5,226			67,370			—			31,319			5,226			98,689		103,915		63,724			—		1999		25 years
	Atlanta, GA
	816 Congress	85,000			6,817			89,891			3,282			7,903			10,099			97,794		107,893		6,203			—		2013		42 years
	Austin, TX
	2100 Ross Avenue	—			5,987			45,739			—			33,854			5,987			79,593		85,580		10,427			—		2012		35 years
	Dallas, TX
	The Points at Waterview	14,598			2,558			22,910			86			10,512			2,644			33,422		36,066		19,736			—		2000		25 years
	Suburban Dallas, TX
	Meridian Mark Plaza	25,408			2,219			—			—			27,105			2,219			27,105		29,324		16,688			1997		1997		30 years
	Atlanta, GA
	555 North Point Center East	—			368			—			(3		)	21,933			365			21,933		22,298		13,235			1998		1998		30 years
	Suburban Atlanta, GA
	221 Peachtree Center Avenue Parking Garage	—			4,217			13,337			1			347			4,218			13,684		17,902		2,755			—		2007		39 years
	Atlanta, GA
	333 North Point Center East	—			551			—			1			15,626			552			15,626		16,178		10,016			1996		1996		30 years
	Suburban Atlanta, GA
					Initial Cost to Company						Costs Capitalized Subsequent						Gross Amount at Which Carried
											to Acquisition						at Close of Period
	Description/Metropolitan Area	Encumbrances			Land and			Buildings  and			Land and			Building and Improvements less Cost of Sales, Transfers and Other			Land and			Building and Improvements less Cost of Sales, Transfers and Other		Total (a)			Accumulated			Date of		Date		Life on Which Depreciation in 2014 Statement of Operations is Computed (b)
					Improvements			Improvements			Improvements						Improvements								Depreciation (a)			Construction/		Acquired
											less Cost of						less Cost of											Renovation
											Sales, Transfers						Sales, Transfers
											and Other						and Other
	100 North Point Center East	$	—		$	1,475		$	9,625		$	(11	)	$	3,266		$	1,464		$	12,891	$	14,355		$	7,519		—		2003		25 years
	Suburban Atlanta, GA
	200 North Point Center East	—			1,726			7,920			$	(14	)	$	4,690		$	1,712		$	12,610	$	14,322		6,045			—		2003		25 years
	Suburban Atlanta, GA
	Total Operating Properties	$	652,144		$	458,293		$	1,701,743		$	7,376		$	338,815		$	465,669		$	2,040,558	$	2,506,227		$	324,543
	PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
	Colorado Tower	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	85,843		$	—		$	85,843	$	85,843		$	—		2013		2013		30 years
	Austin, TX
	Research Park V	$	—		$	4,373		$	—		$	—		$	1,399		$	4,373		$	1,399	$	5,772		$	—		2014		1998		0 years
	Austin, TX
	Total Projects Under Development	$	—		$	4,373		$	—		$	—		$	87,242		$	4,373		$	87,242	$	91,615		$	—
	LAND
	Commercial Land
	Land Adjacent to The Avenue Forsyth	—			11,240			—			(7,540		)	—			3,700			—		3,700			—			—		2007		0 years
	Suburban Atlanta, GA
	Blalock Lakes	—			9,646			—			(6,301		)	—			3,345			—		3,345			—			—		2008		0 years
	Suburban Atlanta, GA
549 / 555 / 557 Peachtree Street	—			5,988			—			(3,363		)	—			2,625			—		2,625			—			—		2004		0 years
Atlanta, GA
North Point	—			10,294			—			(8,851		)	—			1,443			—		1,443			—			—		1970-1985		0 years
Suburban Atlanta, GA
Wildwood	—			10,214			—			(9,539		)	—			675			—		675			—			—		1971-1989		0 years
Suburban Atlanta, GA
Total Commercial Land	$	—		$	47,382		$	—		$	(35,594	)	$	—		$	11,788		$	—	$	11,788		$	—
				Initial Cost to Company						Costs Capitalized Subsequent						Gross Amount at Which Carried
										to Acquisition						at Close of Period
Description/Metropolitan Area	Encumbrances			Land and			Buildings and			Land and			Building and Improvements less Cost of Sales, Transfers and Other			Land and			Building and Improvements less Cost of Sales, Transfers and Other		Total (a)			Accumulated			Date of		Date		Life on Which Depreciation in 2014 Statement of Operations is Computed (b)
				Improvements			Improvements			Improvements						Improvements								Depreciation (a)			Construction/		Acquired
										less Cost of						less Cost of											Renovation
										Sales, Transfers						Sales, Transfers
										and Other						and Other
Residential Land
Blalock Lakes	$	—		$	17,657		$	—		$	(12,386	)	$	—		$	5,271		$	—	$	5,271		$	—		2006		2006		0 years
Suburban Atlanta, GA
Callaway Gardens	—			1,584			—			3,003			—			4,587			—		4,587			—			2006		2006		0 years
Pine Mountain, GA
Total Residential Land	$	—		$	19,241		$	—		$	(9,383	)	$	—		$	9,858		$	—	$	9,858		$	—
Total Land	$	—		$	66,623		$	—		$	(44,977	)	$	—		$	21,646		$	—	$	21,646		$	—
Total Properties	$	652,144		$	529,289		$	1,701,743		$	(37,601	)	$	426,057		$	491,688		$	2,127,523	$	2,619,488		$	324,543
NOTES:
(a)	Reconciliations of total real estate carrying value and accumulated depreciation for the three years ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Real Estate									Accumulated Depreciation
	2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,164,815		$	997,323		$	1,253,414		$	257,151		$	258,258		$	289,473
Additions during the period:
Acquisition	523,695			1,321,394			42,692			—			—			—
Improvements and other capitalized costs	109,959			86,376			49,559			—			—			—
Depreciation expense	—			—			—			86,824			56,234			48,607
	633,654			1,407,770			92,251			86,824			56,234			48,607
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed	(178,981		)	(240,278		)	(334,552		)	(19,432		)	(57,341		)	(79,822		)
Impairment losses	—			—			(13,790		)	—			—			—
Write-off of fully depreciated assets	—			—			—			—			—			—
	(178,981		)	(240,278		)	(348,342		)	(19,432		)	(57,341		)	(79,822		)
Balance at end of period	$	2,619,488		$	2,164,815		$	997,323		$	324,543		$	257,151		$	258,258
(b)	Buildings and improvements are depreciated over 24 to 42 years. Leasehold improvements and other capitalized leasing costs are depreciated over the life of the asset or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter.

Other_Assets_Other_Assets_Note

Other Assets Other Assets (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets [Abstract]
Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	OTHER ASSETS
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, other assets included the following (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Lease inducements, net of accumulated amortization of $5,475 and $4,181 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	$	12,245	$	12,548
	FF&E and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $19,137 and $17,684 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	10,590		8,743
	Prepaid expenses and other assets	3,428		3,606
	Predevelopment costs and earnest money	1,789		821
	Loan closing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2,286 and $2,621 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	6,878		4,176
		$	34,930	$	29,894
	Lease inducements represent incentives paid to tenants in conjunction with leasing space, such as moving costs, sublease arrangements of prior space and other costs. These amounts are amortized into rental revenues over the individual underlying lease terms.
	Predevelopment costs represent amounts that are capitalized related to predevelopment projects which the Company determines are probable of future development.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business: Cousins Properties Incorporated (“Cousins”), a Georgia corporation, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Through December 31, 2014, Cousins Real Estate Corporation (“CREC”) was a taxable entity wholly-owned by and consolidated within Cousins. CREC owned, developed, and managed its own real estate portfolio and performed certain real estate related services for other parties. On December 31, 2014, CREC merged into Cousins and coincident with this merger, Cousins formed Cousins TRS Services LLC ("CTRS"), a new taxable entity wholly-owned by Cousins. Upon formation, CTRS received a capital contribution of some of the real estate assets and contracts that were previously owned by CREC. CTRS will own and manage its own real estate portfolio and perform certain real estate related services for other parties beginning in 2015.
	Cousins, CREC, CTRS and their subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) develop, acquire, lease, manage, and own primarily Class A office properties and opportunistic mixed-use developments in Sunbelt markets with a focus on Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s portfolio of real estate assets consisted of interests in 15.7 million square feet of office space, 80,000 square feet of retail space, and 404,000 square feet (443 units) of apartments.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated partnerships and wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company presents its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) as outlined in the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification” or “ASC”). The Codification is the single source of authoritative accounting principles applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP.
	For the three years ended December 31, 2014, there were no items of other comprehensive income. Therefore, no presentation of comprehensive income is required.
	The Company evaluates all partnerships, joint ventures and other arrangements with variable interests to determine if the entity or arrangement qualifies as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), as defined in the Codification. If the entity or arrangement qualifies as a VIE and the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, the Company is required to consolidate the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the VIE.
	The Company has a joint venture with Callaway Gardens Resort, Inc. (“Callaway”) for the development of residential lots, which is anticipated to be funded fully through Company contributions. Callaway has the right to receive returns, but no obligation to fund any costs or absorb any losses. The Company is the sole decision maker for the venture and the development manager. The Company has determined that Callaway is a VIE, and the Company is the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company consolidates this joint venture. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Callaway had total assets of $2.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and no significant liabilities.
Cost capitalization	Cost Capitalization: Costs related to planning, developing, leasing, and constructing a property, including costs of development personnel working directly on projects under development, are capitalized. In addition, the Company capitalizes interest to qualifying assets under development based on average accumulated expenditures outstanding during the period. In capitalizing interest to qualifying assets, the Company first uses the interest incurred on specific project debt, if any, and next uses the Company’s weighted average interest rate for non-project specific debt. The Company also capitalizes interest to investments accounted for under the equity method when the investee has property under development with a carrying value in excess of the investee’s borrowings. To the extent debt exists within an unconsolidated joint venture during the construction period, the venture capitalizes interest on that venture-specific debt.
	The Company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes, and certain operating expenses on the unoccupied portion of recently completed development properties from the date a project is substantially complete to the earlier of (1) the date on which the project achieves 90% economic occupancy or (2) one year after it is substantially complete.
	The Company capitalizes direct leasing costs related to leases that are probable of being executed. These costs include commissions paid to outside brokers, legal costs incurred to negotiate and document a lease agreement, and internal costs that are based on time spent by leasing personnel on successful leases. The Company allocates these costs to individual tenant leases and amortizes them over the related lease term.
Impairment	Impairment: For real estate assets that are considered to be held for sale according to accounting guidance, the Company records impairment losses if the fair value of the asset net of estimated selling costs is less than the carrying amount. For those long-lived assets that are held and used according to accounting guidance, management reviews each asset for the existence of any indicators of impairment. If indicators of impairment are present, the Company calculates the expected undiscounted future cash flows to be derived from such assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the Company reduces the asset to its fair value.
Acquisition of Operating Properties	Acquisition of Operating Properties: The Company records the acquired tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of operating property acquisitions at fair value at the acquisition date. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities for an operating property acquisition generally include but are not limited to: land, buildings and improvements, and identified tangible and intangible assets and liabilities associated with in-place leases, including leasing costs, value of above-market and below-market tenant leases, value of above-market and below-market ground leases, acquired in-place lease values, and tenant relationships, if any.
	The fair value of land is derived from comparable sales of land within the same submarket and/or region. The fair value of buildings and improvements, tenant improvements, and leasing costs are based upon current market replacement costs and other relevant market rate information.
	The fair value of the above-market or below-market component of an acquired in-place lease is based upon the present value (calculated using a market discount rate) of the difference between (i) the contractual rents to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term and (ii) management’s estimate of the rents that would be paid using fair market rental rates and rent escalations at the date of acquisition over the remaining term of the lease. The amounts recorded for above-market and below-market tenant leases are included in intangible assets and intangible liabilities, respectively, on the balance sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis into rental property revenues over the remaining term of the applicable leases. The amounts recorded for above-market and below-market ground leases are included in intangible liabilities and intangible assets, respectively, and are amortized on a straight-line basis into rental property operating expenses over the remaining terms of the applicable leases.
	The fair value of acquired in-place leases is derived based on management’s assessment of lost revenue and costs incurred for the period required to lease the “assumed vacant” property to the occupancy level when purchased. The amount recorded for acquired in-place leases is included in intangible assets and amortized as an increase to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining term of the applicable leases.
Depreciation and Amortization	Depreciation and Amortization: Real estate assets are stated at depreciated cost less impairment losses, if any. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which range generally from 24 to 42 years. The life of a particular building depends upon a number of factors including whether the building was developed or acquired and the condition of the building upon acquisition. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives of three to five years. Tenant improvements, leasing costs and leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the applicable leases or the estimated useful life of the assets, whichever is shorter. The Company accelerates the depreciation of tenant assets if it estimates that the lease term will end prior to the termination date. This acceleration may occur if a tenant files for bankruptcy, vacates its premises or defaults in another manner on its lease. Deferred expenses are amortized over the period of estimated benefit. The Company uses the straight-line method for all depreciation and amortization.
Discontinued Operation	Discontinued Operations: Effective in 2014, only assets held for sale and disposals representing strategic shifts in operations will be reflected in discontinued operations. For previous periods, the Company classified the results of operations of all properties that have been sold or otherwise qualify as held for sale as discontinued operations if the property's operations are expected to be eliminated from ongoing operations and the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the property after the sale. The Company also classified any gains or losses on the sale of such properties as discontinued operations as well as any related impairment losses associated with such properties. The Company ceases depreciation of a property when it is categorized as held for sale. See note 3 for a detail of properties that meet these requirements.
Investments in Joint Ventures	Investment in Joint Ventures
	For joint ventures that the Company does not control, but exercises significant influence, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's judgment with regard to its level of influence or control of an entity involves consideration of various factors including the form of its ownership interest; its representation in the entity's governance; its ability to participate in policy-making decisions; and the rights of other investors to participate in the decision-making process, to replace the Company as manager, and/or to liquidate the venture. These ventures are recorded at cost and adjusted for equity in earnings and cash contributions and distributions. Any difference between the carrying amount of these investments on the Company’s balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets on the joint venture’s balance sheet is adjusted as the related underlying assets are depreciated, amortized, or sold. The Company generally allocates income and loss from an unconsolidated joint venture based on the venture's distribution priorities, which may be different from its stated ownership percentage.
	The Company evaluates the recoverability of its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with accounting standards for equity investments by first reviewing each investment for any indicators of impairment. If indicators are present, the Company estimates the fair value of the investment. If the carrying value of the investment is greater than the estimated fair value, management makes an assessment of whether the impairment is “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” In making this assessment, management considers the following: (1) the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the entity, and (3) the Company’s intent and ability to retain its interest long enough for a recovery in market value.
	The Company consolidates certain joint ventures that it controls. In cases where the entity’s documents do not contain a required redemption clause, the Company records the partner’s share of the entity in the equity section of the balance sheets in nonredeemable noncontrolling interests. In cases where the entity’s documents contain a provision requiring the Company to purchase the partner’s share of the venture at a certain value upon demand or at a future date, the Company records the partner’s share of the entity in redeemable noncontrolling interests on the balance sheets. Amounts recorded in redeemable noncontrolling interests are adjusted to the higher of fair value or the partner’s cost basis each reporting period. The effect of these adjustments is recorded in additional paid-in capital within total stockholders’ investment. The noncontrolling partners' share of all consolidated joint ventures' income is reflected in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest on the statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Rental Property Revenues: The Company recognizes contractual revenues from leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective lease. Certain of these leases also provide for percentage rents based upon the level of sales achieved by the lessee. Percentage rents are recognized once the specified sales target is achieved. In addition, leases typically provide for reimbursement of the tenants' share of real estate taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses to the Company. Operating expense reimbursements are recognized as the related expenses are incurred. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recognized $86.0 million, $43.9 million, and $26.2 million, respectively, in revenues, including discontinued operations, from tenants related to operating expenses.
	The Company makes valuation adjustments to all tenant-related accounts receivable based upon its estimate of the likelihood of collectibility of amounts due from the tenant. The amount of any valuation adjustment is based on the tenant’s credit and business risk, history of payment, and other factors considered by management.
	Fee Income: The Company recognizes development, management, and leasing fees when earned. The Company recognizes development, management, and leasing fees received from unconsolidated joint ventures and related salaries and other direct costs incurred by the Company as income and expense based on the percentage of the joint venture which the Company does not own. Correspondingly, the Company adjusts the investment in unconsolidated joint ventures asset when fees are paid to the Company by a joint venture in which the Company has an ownership interest. The Company amortizes these adjustments over a relevant period in income from unconsolidated joint ventures.
	Land Sales: The Company recognizes sales and related cost of sales of land upon closing, the majority of which historically have been accounted for on the full accrual method. If a substantial continuing obligation exists related to the sale, the Company uses the percentage of completion method. If other criteria for the full accrual method are not met, the Company utilizes the installment method, cost recovery method, deposit method, or reduced-profit method as applicable.
	Gain on Sale of Investment Properties: The Company recognizes a gain on sale of investment property when the sale of a property is consummated, the buyer’s initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate commitment to pay, any receivable obtained is not subject to future subordination, the usual risks and rewards of ownership are transferred, and the Company has no substantial continuing involvement with the property. If the Company has a commitment to the buyer and that commitment is a specific dollar amount, this commitment is accrued and the gain on sale that the Company recognizes is reduced. If the Company has a construction commitment to the buyer, management makes an estimate of this commitment, defers a portion of the profit from the sale, and recognizes the deferred profit as or when the commitment is fulfilled.
Receivable Policy	The Company makes valuation adjustments to all tenant-related accounts receivable based upon its estimate of the likelihood of collectibility of amounts due from the tenant. The amount of any valuation adjustment is based on the tenant’s credit and business risk, history of payment, and other factors considered by management.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Cousins has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a REIT, Cousins must distribute annually at least 90% of its adjusted taxable income, as defined in the Code, to its stockholders and satisfy certain other organizational and operating requirements. It is management’s current intention to adhere to these requirements and maintain Cousins’ REIT status. As a REIT, Cousins generally will not be subject to federal income tax at the corporate level on the taxable income it distributes to its stockholders. If Cousins fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years. Cousins may be subject to certain state and local taxes on its income and property, and to federal income taxes on its undistributed taxable income.
	Through December 31, 2014, CREC was a C-Corporation for federal income tax purposes and used the liability method of accounting for income taxes. CTRS is also a C-Corporation for federal income tax purposes and uses the liability method for for accounting for income taxes. Tax return positions are recognized in the financial statements when they are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future periods. A valuation allowance may be placed on deferred income tax assets, if it is determined that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset may not be realized.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has several types of stock-based compensation plans. These plans are described in note 13, as are the accounting policies by type of award. The Company recognizes compensation expense, net of forfeitures, arising from share-based payment arrangements granted to employees and directors in general and administrative expense in the statements of operations over the related awards’ vesting period, which may be accelerated under the Company’s retirement feature.
Earnings per Share (EPS)	Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
	Net income (loss) per share-basic is calculated as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including nonvested restricted stock which has nonforfeitable dividend rights. Net income (loss) per share-diluted is calculated as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted weighted average number of common shares uses the same weighted average share number as in the basic calculation and adds the potential dilution that would occur if stock options (or any other contracts to issue common stock) were exercised and resulted in additional common shares outstanding, calculated using the treasury stock method. The numerator is reduced for the effect of preferred dividends in both the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share calculations.
	Stock options are dilutive when the average market price of the Company’s stock during the period exceeds the option exercise price. However, in periods where the Company is in a net loss position, the dilutive effect of stock options is not included in the diluted weighted average shares total.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly-liquid money market instruments. Highly-liquid money market instruments include securities and repurchase agreements with original maturities of three months or less, money market mutual funds, and United States Treasury Bills with maturities of 30 days or less. Restricted cash primarily represents amounts restricted under debt agreements for future capital expenditures or for specific future operating costs.
New Accounting Pronouncement Adoption	Recently Issued Accounting Standards: In 2014, The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance related to the presentation of discontinued operations. Prior to this new guidance, the Company generally included activity for all assets held for sale and disposals in discontinued operations on the statements of operations. Under the new guidance, only assets held for sale and disposals representing a major strategic shift in operations, such as the disposal of a line of business, a significant geographical area, or a major equity investment, will be presented as discontinued operations. Additionally, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide more information about their assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2014.
	In 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers which requires a new five-step model to recognize revenue. Under the new guidance, companies will recognize revenue when the seller satisfies a performance obligation, which would be when the buyer takes control of the good or service. This new guidance could result in different amounts of revenue being recognized and could result in revenue being recognized in different reporting periods than it is under the current guidance. The new guidance specifically excludes revenue associated with lease contracts. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is prohibited. Retrospective application will be required either to all periods presented or with the cumulative effect of initial adoption recognized in the period of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements and footnotes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Reporting	he Company had four reportable segments: Office, Retail, Land, and Other. In 2013 and 2012, the Company had an additional segment, Third Party Management and Leasing. In 2012, the Company sold its third party management and leasing business. See note 3 for detailed information. These reportable segments represent an aggregation of operating segments reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker based on similar economic characteristics that include the type of product and the nature of service. Each segment includes both consolidated operations and joint ventures. The Office and Retail segments show the results for that product type. The Land segment includes results of operations for certain land holdings and single-family residential communities that are sold as developed lots to homebuilders. Fee income and related expenses for the third party-owned properties which are managed or leased by the Company are included in the Third Party Management and Leasing segment. The Other segment includes:
	•	fee income for third party owned and joint venture properties for which the Company performs management, development, and leasing services;
	•	compensation for corporate employees
	•	general corporate overhead costs and interest expense for consolidated and unconsolidated entities;
	•	income attributable to noncontrolling interests;
	•	income taxes;
	•	depreciation; and
	•	preferred dividends
	Company management evaluates the performance of its reportable segments in part based on funds from operations available to common stockholders (“FFO”). FFO is a supplemental operating performance measure used in the real estate industry. The Company calculated FFO using the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ (“NAREIT”) definition of FFO, which is net income (loss) available to common stockholders (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, and gains on sale or impairment losses on depreciable property, plus depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures to reflect FFO on the same basis.
	FFO is used by industry analysts, investors, and the Company as a supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets implicitly assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, many industry investors and analysts have considered presentation of operating results for real estate companies that use historical cost accounting to be insufficient by themselves. Thus, NAREIT created FFO as a supplemental measure of a REIT’s operating performance that excludes historical cost depreciation, among other items, from GAAP net income. Management believes the use of FFO, combined with the required primary GAAP presentations, has been fundamentally beneficial, improving the understanding of operating results of REITs among the investing public and making comparisons of REIT operating results more meaningful. Company management evaluates operating performance in part based on FFO. Additionally, the Company uses FFO, along with other measures, to assess performance in connection with evaluating and granting incentive compensation to its officers and other key employees.
	Segment net income, the balance of the Company’s investment in joint ventures and the amount of capital expenditures are not presented in the following tables. Management does not utilize these measures when analyzing its segments or when making resource allocation decisions and, therefore, this information is not provided.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Weighted average shares basic and diluted

Property_Transactions_Tables

Property Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Transactions [Abstract]
Properties sold that qualify as discontinued operations	The Company sold the following properties in 2014, 2013, and 2012. The results of operations of the properties noted as discontinued operations are included in a separate section discontinued operations, in the statements of operations for all periods presented ($ in thousands):
	Property	Property Type		Location	Square Feet			Sales Price				Discontinued Operations
	2014
	777 Main	Office		Ft. Worth, TX	980,000			$	167,000			No
	Lakeshore Park Plaza	Office		Birmingham, AL	197,000			$	25,000			Yes
	Mahan Village	Retail		Tallahassee, FL	147,000			$	29,500			No
	600 University Park Place	Office		Birmingham, AL	123,000			$	19,700			Yes
	2013
	Tiffany Springs MarketCenter	Retail		Kansas City, MO	238,000			$	53,500			Yes
	Inhibitex	Office		Atlanta, GA	51,000			$	8,300			Yes
	2012
	The Avenue Forsyth	Retail		Atlanta, GA	524,000			$	119,000			Yes
	The Avenue Collierville	Retail		Memphis, TN	511,000			$	55,000			Yes
	The Avenue Webb Gin	Retail		Atlanta, GA	322,000			$	59,600			Yes
	Galleria 75	Office		Atlanta, GA	111,000			$	9,200			Yes
	Cosmopolitan Center	Office		Atlanta, GA	51,000			$	7,000			Yes
Components of Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	The following table details the components of income from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012
	Rental property revenues	$	2,927		$	10,552			$	33,918
	Other revenues	29			40				3,557
	Third party management and leasing revenues	—			76				16,364
	Third party management and leasing expenses	—			(99		)		(13,678		)
	Impairment losses	—			—				(13,791		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(3,083		)		(13,479		)
	Other expenses	(28		)	(25		)		(49		)
	Rental property operating expenses	(1,128		)	(4,162		)		(10,935		)
	Income from discontinued operations	$	1,800		$	3,299			$	1,907
Gain (loss) on sale of investment properties in discontinued operations	Gains (losses) related on sales of discontinued operations are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012
	Lakeshore Park Plaza	$	13,025		$	—			$	—
	600 University Park Place	6,334			—				—
	The Avenue Forsyth	1			(77		)		4,508
	Inhibitex	2			2,989				—
	Tiffany Springs MarketCenter	(1		)	3,697				—
	Third party management and leasing business	(3		)	4,577				7,459
	Cosmopolitan Center	—			—				2,064
	The Avenue Webb Gin	—			(2		)		3,590
	Other	—			305				786
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net	$	19,358		$	11,489			$	18,407
Fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired
		Northpark Town Center			Fifth Third Center				Post Oak Central				Terminus 200			816 Congress Avenue			Texas Acquisition			2100 Ross Avenue
	Tangible assets:
	Land and improvements	$	24,577		$	22,863			$	88,406			$	25,040		$	6,817		$	306,563		$	5,987
	Building	274,151			163,649				118,470				101,472			86,391			586,150			36,705
	Tenant improvements	21,674			16,781				10,877				17,600			3,500			114,220			9,034
	Other assets	—			1,014				—				101			—			—			—
	Deferred rents receivable	—			—				—				44			—			—			—
	Tangible assets	320,402			204,307				217,753				144,257			96,708			1,006,933			51,726
	Intangible assets:
	Above-market leases	2,846			632				995				1,512			89			4,959			3,267
	In-place leases	30,159			17,096				26,968				14,355			8,222			117,630			8,888
	Below-market ground leases	—			338				—				—			—			2,958			—
	Ground lease purchase option	—			—				—				—			2,403			—			—
	Total intangible assets	33,005			18,066				27,963				15,867			10,714			125,547			12,155
	Tangible liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	—			(1,026		)		—				—			—			—			—
	Total tangible liabilities	—			(1,026		)		—				—			—			—			—
	Intangible liabilities:
	Below-market leases	(8,018		)	(9,374		)		(14,792		)		(9,273		)	(2,820		)	(47,170		)	(436		)
	Above-market ground lease	—			—				—				—			(1,981		)	(2,508		)	—
	Total intangible liabilities	(8,018		)	(9,374		)		(14,792		)		(9,273		)	(4,801		)	(49,678		)	(436		)
	Total net assets acquired	$	345,389		$	211,973			$	230,924			$	150,851		$	102,621		$	1,082,802		$	63,445

Notes_and_Accounts_Receivables1

Notes and Accounts Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Components of Notes and Accounts Receivables	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, notes and accounts receivables included the following (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Notes receivable	$	414		$	1,445
	Allowance for doubtful accounts related to notes receivable	(414		)	(995		)
	Tenant and other receivables	11,961			12,160
	Allowance for doubtful accounts related to tenant and other receivables	(1,229		)	(832		)
		$	10,732		$	11,778

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J1

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Summary of financial data and principal activities of Company's Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	The information included in the following table entitled summary of financial position is as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The information included in the summary of operations table is for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands).
		Total Assets					Total Debt					Total Equity						Company's Investment
	SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:	2014			2013		2014		2013			2014			2013			2014				2013
	Terminus Office Holdings	$	288,415		$	297,815	$	213,640	$	215,942		$	62,830		$	69,867		$	32,323			$	35,885
	EP I LLC	85,228			88,130		58,029		57,092			26,671			29,229			22,905				25,319
	EP II LLC	42,772			12,644		12,735		1			24,969			11,695			19,905				9,566
	Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC	130,272			135,966		35,530		52,408			92,808			82,373			11,218				11,252
	HICO Victory Center LP	9,962			—		—		—			9,962			—			7,572				—
	CL Realty, L.L.C.	7,264			7,602		—		—			7,042			7,374			3,546				3,704
	Temco Associates, LLC	6,910			8,474		—		—			6,709			8,315			3,027				4,083
	Cousins Watkins LLC	—			51,653		—		27,710			—			23,081			—				17,213
	Wildwood Associates	16,400			21,127		—		—			16,389			21,121			(1,106		)	-1	(1,689		)	-1
	Crawford Long - CPI, LLC	29,946			32,042		75,000		75,000			(45,762		)	(44,295		)	(21,931		)	-1	(21,071		)	-1
	Other	1,411			1,931		—		—			979			1,700			2				60
		$	618,580		$	657,384	$	394,934	$	428,153		$	202,597		$	210,460		$	77,461			$	84,322
		Total Revenues							Net Income (Loss)									Company's Share of Net
																		Income (Loss)
	SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:	2014			2013		2012		2014			2013			2012			2014				2013				2012
	Terminus Office Holdings	$	39,531		$	33,109	$	—	$	663		$	(408	)	$	—		$	308			$	(182	)		$	—
	EP I LLC	12,049			8,261		796		2,583			100			(441		)	1,937				75				(330		)
	EP II LLC	—			—		—		—			—			—			—				—				—
	Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC	33,903			33,281		32,901		11,645			10,693			9,704			1,176				1,176				1,176
	HICO Victory Center LP	—			—		—		—			—			—			—				—				—
	CL Realty, L.L.C.	1,573			1,603		2,667		1,069			1,027			1,068			542				524				221
	Temco Associates, LLC	2,155			630		702		495			96			(65		)	(6		)		(12		)		(236		)
	Cousins Watkins LLC	4,415			5,483		5,575		8,286			55			(24		)	4,168				2,306				2,397
	Wildwood Associates	3,329			—		1		(1,704		)	(151		)	(139		)	2,097				(75		)		(70		)
	Crawford Long - CPI, LLC	11,945			11,829		11,579		2,775			2,827			2,508			1,407				1,372				1,248
	MSREF/ Cousins Terminus 200 LLC	(19		)	1,197		12,265		14			(235		)	(1,069		)	3				(69		)		(215		)
	Palisades West LLC	—			—		15,401		—			(27		)	5,330			—				—				25,547
	Ten Peachtree Place Associates	—			—		2,488		—			—			20,895			—				—				7,843
	CP Venture Five LLC	—			20,192		30,007		—			3,075			3,943			(17		)		17,070				1,059
	CP Venture Two LLC	—			12,965		19,533		—			7,033			10,473			—				21,590				1,208
	CF Murfreesboro Associates	4			8,067		13,152		4			48,953			602			(390		)		23,553				16
	Other	441			490		1,271		(473		)	(144		)	(147		)	43				(3		)		(606		)
		$	109,326		$	137,107	$	148,338	$	25,357		$	72,894		$	52,638		$	11,268			$	67,325			$	39,258
	(1) Negative balances are included in deferred income on the balance sheets.

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, intangible assets included the following (in thousands):
			2014			2013
	In-place leases, net of accumulated amortization of $62,302 and $26,239 in 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	147,360		$	152,830
	Above-market tenant leases, net of accumulated amortization of $13,748 and $11,284 in 2014 and 2013, respectively		12,017			12,332
	Below-market ground lease, net of accumulated amortization of $21 in 2013		—			1,680
	Goodwill		3,867			4,131
			$	163,244		$	170,973
Aggregate Amortization of Intangible Assets and Liabilities	Over the next five years and thereafter, aggregate amortization of these intangible assets and liabilities is anticipated to be as follows (in thousands):
		Below			Above			Above		In Place		Total
		Market Rents			Market Ground Lease			Market Rents		Leases
	2015	$	(10,477	)	$	(55	)	$	2,784	$	32,993	$	25,245
	2016	(9,803		)	(55		)	2,397		27,305		19,844
	2017	(8,884		)	(55		)	1,717		20,430		13,208
	2018	(8,092		)	(55		)	1,489		16,882		10,224
	2019	(6,050		)	(55		)	997		11,760		6,652
	Thereafter	(24,160		)	(2,279		)	2,633		37,990		14,184
		$	(67,466	)	$	(2,554	)	$	12,017	$	147,360	$	89,357
	Weighted average remaining lease term	9 years			49 years			7 years		7 years
Summary of Goodwill Activity	The following is a summary of goodwill activity for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Beginning Balance	$	4,131		$	4,751
	Allocated to property sales	(264		)	(620		)
	Ending Balance	$	3,867		$	4,131

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of terms of notes payable	The following table summarizes the terms of notes payable outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
	Description		Interest Rate		Maturity			2014				2013
	Post Oak Central mortgage note		4.26%		2020			185,109				188,310
	Credit Facility, unsecured		1.27%		2019			140,200				40,075
	The American Cancer Society Center mortgage note		6.45%		2017			131,083				132,714
	Promenade mortgage note		4.27%		2022			110,946				113,573
	191 Peachtree Tower mortgage note		3.35%		2018			100,000				100,000
	816 Congress mortgage note		3.75%		2024			85,000				—
	Meridian Mark Plaza mortgage note		6.00%		2020			25,408				25,813
	The Points at Waterview mortgage note		5.66%		2016			14,598				15,139
	Mahan Village LLC construction facility		1.80%		—			—				14,470
								$	792,344			$	630,094
Summary of the credit facility pricing spreads and the facility fees	The pricing spreads and the facility fee under the New Facility are as follows:
	Leverage Ratio		Applicable % Spread for LIBOR		Applicable % Spread for Base Rate		Annual Facility Fee %
	≤ 30%		1.10%		0.10%		0.15%
	>30% but ≤ 35%		1.10%		0.10%		0.20%
	>35% but ≤ 40%		1.15%		0.15%		0.20%
	>40% but ≤ 45%		1.20%		0.20%		0.20%
	>45% but ≤ 50%		1.20%		0.20%		0.25%
	>50%		1.45%		0.45%		0.30%
Summary of interest recorded	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, interest was recorded as follows (in thousands):
		2014				2013				2012
	Total interest incurred	$	31,862			$	22,227			$	25,570
	Interest capitalized	(2,752		)		(518		)		(1,637		)
	Total interest expense	$	29,110			$	21,709			$	23,933
Aggregate debt maturities	Future principal payments due on the Company's notes payable at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	8,825
	2016	24,095
	2017	138,195
	2018	105,734
	2019	149,647
	Thereafter	365,848
		$	792,344

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of amounts due under lease commitments	Amounts due under these lease commitments are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	1,780
	2016	1,811
	2017	1,737
	2018	1,696
	2019	1,657
	Thereafter	138,063
		$	146,744

Noncontrolling_Interests_Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest Items [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	The following table details the components of redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Beginning Balance	$	—	$	—
	Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		68
	Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		(68		)
	Ending Balance	$	—	$	—
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests	The following reconciles the net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests as recorded in the statements of equity and the net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests as recorded outside of the equity section on the balance sheets to the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests on the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 (in thousands):
		2014		2013			2012
	Net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	$	1,004	$	5,000		$	4,193
	Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		68			(2,002		)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	1,004	$	5,068		$	2,191

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Schedule Reconciling Dividends Paid and Dividends Applied to Meet REIT Distribution Requirements [Table Text Block]	The following reconciles dividends paid and dividends applied in 2014, 2013, and 2012 to meet REIT distribution requirements (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Common and preferred dividends paid	$	64,510		$	37,200		$	31,655
	Dividends treated as taxable compensation	(110		)	(98		)	(147		)
	Portion of dividends declared in current year, and paid in current year, which was applied to the prior year distribution requirements	(2,182		)	(470		)	—
	Portion of dividends declared in subsequent year, and paid in subsequent year, which apply to current year distribution requirements	—			2,182			470
	Dividends applied to meet current year REIT distribution requirements	$	62,218		$	38,814		$	31,978
Schedule of Components of Taxability of Company Dividends [Table Text Block]	The following summarizes the components of the taxability of the Company’s distributions for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
		Total			Ordinary			Long-Term			Unrecaptured		Cash Liquidation Distributions
		Distributions			Dividends			Capital Gain			Section 1250
		Per Share									Gain (A)
	Common:
	2014	$	0.3		$	0.281564		$	0.018436		$	0.018436	$	—
	2013	$	0.18		$	0.170355		$	0.009645		$	0.009457	$	—
	2012	$	0.18		$	0.124724		$	0.055276		$	0.055276	$	—
	Series A Preferred:
	2014	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	2013	$	0.96875		$	0.966882		$	0.001868		$	—	$	25
	2012	$	1.9375		$	1.34222		$	0.59528		$	0.59528	$	—
	Series B Preferred:
	2014	$	25.77604		$	0.46775		$	0.001		$	0.001	$	25.30729
	2013	$	1.875		$	1.774673		$	0.100327		$	0.098519	$	—
	2012	$	1.875		$	1.298222		$	0.576078		$	0.576078	$	—
	(A)	Represents a portion of the dividend allocated to long-term capital gain.

Rental_Property_Revenues_Table

Rental Property Revenues (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Future minimum rentals to be received under existing non-cancelable leases	At December 31, 2014 future minimum rents to be received by consolidated entities under existing non-cancelable leases are as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	219,974
	2016	218,991
	2017	200,654
	2018	191,446
	2019	166,739
	Thereafter	651,690
		$	1,649,494

Equity_and_StockBased_Compensa1

Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options and their results	In 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no stock option grants.
Stock options activity	The following is a summary of stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted Average
		Options			Exercise Price Per Option
		(000s)
	Outstanding, beginning of year	3,078			$	22.9
	Exercised	(206	)		$	8.26
	Forfeited/Expired	(661	)		$	28.18
	Outstanding, end of year	2,211			$	22.69
	Options exercisable at end of year	2,180			$	22.89
Summary of restricted stock activity	The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during 2014:
		Number of			Weighted-Average Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value
		(000s)
	Non-vested restricted stock at beginning of year	450			$	8
	Granted	138			$	10.75
	Vested	(236	)		$	8
	Forfeited	(10	)		$	9.48
	Non-vested restricted stock at end of year	342			$	9.08
Summary of regular RSU activity	The following table summarizes time-vested RSU activity for 2014 (in thousands):
	Outstanding at beginning of year	58
	Vested	(58	)
	Outstanding at end of year	—
Summary of all performance-based RSU activity	The following table summarizes the performance-based RSU activity for 2014 (in thousands):
	Outstanding at beginning of year	755
	Granted	205
	Exercised	(150	)
	Forfeited	(14	)
	Outstanding at end of year	796
Summary of distribution of taxable income	The following reconciles dividends paid and dividends applied in 2014, 2013, and 2012 to meet REIT distribution requirements (in thousands):
		2014				2013			2012
	Common and preferred dividends paid	$	64,510			$	37,200		$	31,655
	Dividends treated as taxable compensation	(110		)		(98		)	(147		)
	Portion of dividends declared in current year, and paid in current year, which was applied to the prior year distribution requirements	(2,182		)		(470		)	—
	Portion of dividends declared in subsequent year, and paid in subsequent year, which apply to current year distribution requirements	—				2,182			470
	Dividends applied to meet current year REIT distribution requirements	$	62,218			$	38,814		$	31,978
Summary of components of the taxability of the Company's dividends	The following summarizes the components of the taxability of the Company’s distributions for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
		Total				Ordinary			Long-Term			Unrecaptured		Cash Liquidation Distributions
		Distributions				Dividends			Capital Gain			Section 1250
		Per Share										Gain (A)
	Common:
	2014	$	0.3			$	0.281564		$	0.018436		$	0.018436	$	—
	2013	$	0.18			$	0.170355		$	0.009645		$	0.009457	$	—
	2012	$	0.18			$	0.124724		$	0.055276		$	0.055276	$	—
	Series A Preferred:
	2014	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	2013	$	0.96875			$	0.966882		$	0.001868		$	—	$	25
	2012	$	1.9375			$	1.34222		$	0.59528		$	0.59528	$	—
	Series B Preferred:
	2014	$	25.77604			$	0.46775		$	0.001		$	0.001	$	25.30729
	2013	$	1.875			$	1.774673		$	0.100327		$	0.098519	$	—
	2012	$	1.875			$	1.298222		$	0.576078		$	0.576078	$	—
	(A)	Represents a portion of the dividend allocated to long-term capital gain.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Consolidated benefit (provision) for income taxes from operations	CREC was a taxable entity and its consolidated benefit (provision) for income taxes from operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013				2012
	Current tax benefit (provision):
	Federal	$	—		$	—			$	—
	State	20			23				(91		)
		20			23				(91		)
	Deferred tax benefit (provision):
	Federal	—			—				—
	State	—			—				—
		—			—				—
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes from operations	$	20		$	23			$	(91	)
Difference between income tax benefit (provision) and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before taxes	The net income tax benefit (provision) differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to CREC’s income before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 as follows ($ in thousands):
		2014						2013						2012
		Amount			Rate			Amount				Rate		Amount			Rate
	Federal income tax benefit (expense)	$	(1,124	)	(35	)%		$	(1,287	)		(35	)%	$	(4,368	)	(35	)%
	State income tax benefit (expense), net of federal income tax effect	(125		)	(4	)%		(147		)		(4	)%	(91		)	—	%
	Valuation allowance	1,644			50	%		(361		)		(10	)%	7,055			57	%
	State deferred tax adjustment	(375		)	(11	)%		1,818				49	%	(2,687		)	(22	)%
	Other	—			—	%		—				—	%	—			—	%
	Benefit (provision) applicable to income (loss) from continuing operations	$	20		—	%		$	23			—	%	$	(91	)	—	%
Tax effect of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities	The tax effect of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities of CTRS and CREC, as applicable, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	$	2,441		$	7,361
	Land	—			6,116
	Long-term incentive equity awards	—			2,089
	Interest carryforward	—			13,158
	Federal and state tax carryforwards	—			50,253
	Other	—			364
	Total deferred tax assets	2,441			79,341
	Valuation allowance	(2,441		)	(79,341		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Information Related to Cash Flows	Supplemental information related to cash flows, including significant non-cash activity affecting the Statements of Cash Flows, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		2014		2013		2012
	Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$	28,840	$	21,216	$	23,142
	Income taxes paid	4		90		63
	Non-Cash Transactions:
	Transfer from operating properties to operating properties and related assets held for sale	—		24,554		1,866
	Transfer from projects under development to operating properties	—		25,629		—
	Transfer from other assets to projects under development	—		3,062		—
	Transfer from land to projects under development	5,185		—		—

Reportable_Segments_Tables

Reportable Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Income (Loss) by Reportable Segment	FFO is reconciled to net income (loss) on a total Company basis (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31, 2014		Office				Retail			Land				Other				Total
	Net operating income		$	206,551			$	4,479		$	—			$	4,643			$	215,673
	Sales less costs of sales		—				—			3,868				42				3,910
	Fee income		—				—			—				12,519				12,519
	Other income		—				—			—				5,404				5,404
	Gain on sale of third party management and leasing		—				—			—				(3		)		(3		)
	Third party management and leasing expenses		—				—			—				(2		)		(2		)
	Separation expenses		—				—			—				(210		)		(210		)
	General and administrative expenses		—				—			—				(19,784		)		(19,784		)
	Reimbursed expenses		—				—			—				(3,652		)		(3,652		)
	Interest expense		—				—			—				(36,474		)		(36,474		)
	Other expenses		—				—			—				(5,692		)		(5,692		)
	Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs		—				—			—				(6,485		)		(6,485		)
	Funds from operations available to common stockholders		$	206,551			$	4,479		$	3,868			$	(49,694	)		$	165,204
	Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures																	(151,066		)
	Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures																	31,955
	Non-controlling interest related to the sale of depreciated properties																	(574		)
	Net income available to common stockholders																	$	45,519
	Total Assets		$	2,576,449			$	5,587		$	34,799			$	50,495			$	2,667,330
	Year ended December 31, 2013	Office					Retail				Land					Third Party Management and Leasing				Other				Total
	Net operating income	$	122,503				$	13,278			$	—				$	—			$	2,299			$	138,080
	Sales less costs of sales	—					—				1,273					—				191				1,464
	Fee income	—					—				—					76				10,891				10,967
	Other income	—					—				—					—				3,528				3,528
	Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	—					—				—					4,576				—				4,576
	Third party management and leasing expenses	—					—				—					(97		)		—				(97		)
	Separation expenses	—			—		—		—		—			—		—				(520		)		(520		)
	General and administrative expenses	—					—				—					—				(21,940		)		(21,940		)
	Reimbursed expenses	—					—				—					—				(5,215		)		(5,215		)
	Interest expense	—					—				—					—				(29,672		)		(29,672		)
	Other expenses	—					—				—					—				(11,373		)		(11,373		)
	Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs	—					—				—					—				(12,664		)		(12,664		)
	Funds from operations available to common stockholders	$	122,503				$	13,278			$	1,273				$	4,555			$	(64,475	)		$	77,134
	Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures																							(92,041		)
	Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties including the Company's share of joint ventures																							127,401
	Noncontrolling interest related to sale of depreciated properties																							(3,397		)
	Net income available to common stockholders																							$	109,097
	Total Assets	$	2,163,123				$	18,112			$	47,235				$	—			$	44,736			$	2,273,206
	Year ended December 31, 2012	Office				Retail			Land				Third Party Management and Leasing				Other				Total
	Net operating income	$	80,907			$	29,429		$	—			$	—			$	121			$	110,457
	Sales less costs of sales	—				—			4,915				—				309				5,224
	Fee income	—				—			—				16,365				17,797				34,162
	Other income	—				—			—				—				5,153				5,153
	Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	—				—			—				7,459				—				7,459
	Third party management and leasing expenses	—				—			—				(13,675		)		—				(13,675		)
	Separation expenses	—				—			—				—				(1,985		)		(1,985		)
	General and administrative expenses	—				—			—				—				(23,208		)		(23,208		)
	Reimbursed expenses	—				—			—				—				(7,063		)		(7,063		)
	Interest expense	—				—			—				—				(28,154		)		(28,154		)
	Impairment losses	—				—			—				—				(488		)		(488		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—				—			—				—				(94		)		(94		)
	Other expenses	—				—			—				—				(8,389		)		(8,389		)
	Preferred stock dividends and original issuance costs	—				—			—				—				(12,907		)		(12,907		)
	Funds from operations available to common stockholders	$	80,907			$	29,429		$	4,915			$	10,149			$	(58,908	)		$	66,492
	Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures																				-62,043
	Impairment losses on depreciable investment properties, net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests																				-11,748
	Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures																				41,944
	Other																				-1,824
	Net income available to common stockholders																				$	32,821
	Total Assets	$	736,867			$	151,417		$	50,520			$	—			$	185,438			$	1,124,242
Reconciliation of Revenues per Segment to Consolidated Revenues	The following table reconciles information presented in the tables above to the Company’s consolidated revenues (in thousands):
		2014				2013			2012
	Net operating income	$	215,673			$	138,080		$	110,457
	Sales less cost of sales	3,910				1,464			5,224
	Fee income	12,519				10,967			34,162
	Other income	5,404				3,528			5,153
	Rental property operating expenses	155,934				90,498			50,329
	Cost of sales	325				1,753			1,833
	Net operating income in joint ventures	(25,896		)		(27,763		)	(23,956		)
	Sales less cost of sales in joint ventures	(2,207		)		(111		)	(28		)
	Net operating income in discontinued operations	(1,800		)		(6,390		)	(22,983		)
	Fee income in discontinued operations	—				(76		)	(16,364		)
	Other income in discontinued operations	(565		)		(64		)	(3,622		)
	Termination fees in discontinued operations and in joint ventures	(187		)		—			—
	Gain on land sales (included in gain on investment properties)	(1,727		)		(1,145		)	(3,719		)
	Total consolidated revenues	$	361,383			$	210,741		$	136,486

Other_Assets_Other_Assets_Tabl

Other Assets Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, other assets included the following (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Lease inducements, net of accumulated amortization of $5,475 and $4,181 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	$	12,245	$	12,548
	FF&E and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $19,137 and $17,684 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	10,590		8,743
	Prepaid expenses and other assets	3,428		3,606
	Predevelopment costs and earnest money	1,789		821
	Loan closing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2,286 and $2,621 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	6,878		4,176
		$	34,930	$	29,894

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	sqft
Organization Consolidation And Presentation of Financial Statements
Company's portfolio of real estate assets - Office space (square feet)	15,679,000
Company's portfolio of real estate assets - Retail space (square feet)	80,000
Company's portfolio of real estate assets - apartment space (square feet)	404,000
Total Assets	$2,667,330	$2,273,206
Callaway [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation of Financial Statements
Total Assets	2,100	4,600
Section 1031 Exchange VIE [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation of Financial Statements
Total Assets	$353,200

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies (Earnings per Share) (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Weighted average shares basic and diluted
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARESbBASIC (shares)	204,216	144,255	104,117
Dilutive potential common shares-stock options (shares)	244	165	8
Weighted average shares-diluted (shares)	204,460	144,420	104,125
Weighted average anti-dilutive stock options (shares)	1,553	2,208	5,836

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Period in which the company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes and certain operating expenses on the unoccupied portion of recently completed properties, beginning with the date it is substantially complete (percent)	90.00%
Period in which the company capitalizes interest, real estate taxes and certain operating expenses on the unoccupied portion of recently completed properties, beginning with the date it is substantially complete (in years)	1 year
Reimbursement of rental revenue from tenants	$86	$43.90	$26.20
Required distribution of adjusted taxable income to qualify as a REIT	90.00%
Number of subsequent tax year (in years)	4 years
Original maturities of securities and repurchase agreements included in highly-liquid money market instruments	three months or less
Money market mutual funds and treasury bills included in highly-liquid money market instruments	30 days or less
Minimum [Member] | Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	24 years
Minimum [Member] | Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	42 years
Maximum [Member] | Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	5 years

Property_Transactions_Properti

Property Transactions (Properties Held for Sale) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	$19,358	$11,489	$18,407
777 Main Fort Worth, TX [Member]
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)	980,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations	167,000
Third party management and leasing business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	-3	4,577	7,459
Tiffany Springs MarketCenter Kansas City [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	-1	3,697	0
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)		238,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations		53,500
Lakeshore Park Plaza Birmingham [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	13,025	0	0
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)	197,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations	25,000
Mahan Village Tallahassee FL [Member]
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)	147,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations	29,500
Six Hundred University Park Place Birmingham [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	6,334	0	0
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)	123,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations	19,700
The Avenue Forsyth Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	1	-77	4,508
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)			524,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations			119,000
The Avenue Collierville [Member]
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)			511,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations			55,000
The Avenue Webb Gin Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	0	-2	3,590
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)			322,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations			59,600
Galleria 75 [Member]
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)			111,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations			9,200
Cosmopolitan Center [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	0	0	2,064
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)			51,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations			7,000
Inhibitex Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale from discontinued operations	2	2,989	0
Summary of sales in discontinued operations
Area of disposed real estate assets (square feet)		51,000
Sales price of property held for sale, discontinued operations		$8,300

Property_Transactions_Componen

Property Transactions (Components of Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Components of Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
Income from discontinued operations	$1,800	$3,299	$1,907
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Components of Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
Rental property revenues	2,927	10,552	33,918
Other revenues	29	40	3,557
Third party management and leasing revenues	0	76	16,364
Third party management and leasing expenses	0	-99	-13,678
Impairment losses	0	0	-13,791
Depreciation and amortization	0	-3,083	-13,479
Rental property operating expenses	-28	-25	-49
Rental property operating expenses	-1,128	-4,162	-10,935
Income from discontinued operations	$1,800	$3,299	$1,907

Property_Transactions_Gain_Los

Property Transactions (Gain (Loss) on Sales of Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	$19,358	$11,489	$18,407
Lakeshore Park Plaza Birmingham [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	13,025	0	0
Six Hundred University Park Place Birmingham [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	6,334	0	0
The Avenue Forsyth Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	1	-77	4,508
Inhibitex Suburban Atlanta [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	2	2,989	0
Tiffany Springs MarketCenter Kansas City [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	-1	3,697	0
Third party management and leasing business [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	-3	4,577	7,459
Cosmopolitan Center [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	0	0	2,064
Avenue Webb Gin Suburban Atlanta [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	0	-2	3,590
Other Disposal Groups [Member]
Gain on sale of investment properties included in discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	$0	$305	$786

Property_Transactions_Fair_Val

Property Transactions (Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Acquired) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 25, 2013	Jul. 19, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
				sqft		sqft
Intangible assets:
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases	$147,360,000	$152,830,000
Intangible liabilities:
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	10,296,000	67,101,000	37,379,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			-94,000
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate Held-for-investment	244,471,000	178,966,000	273,386,000
816 Congress Austin, TX [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Total net assets acquired				102,400,000
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)				435,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs		342,000
Texas Acquisition [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Total net assets acquired					1,100,000,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	4,200,000
777 Main Fort Worth, TX [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)					980,000
Greenway Plaza Houston, TX [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)					4,300,000
Post Oak Central [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Total net assets acquired						200,000,000
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)						1,300,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	231,000
Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property	19,700,000
Term Loan [Member] | Texas Acquisition [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	2,600,000
MSREF Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)		566,000
MSREF Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member] | Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Total net assets acquired						53,800,000
Outstanding Amount of Mortgage Note Payable of Joint Venture						74,600,000
Terminus Office Holdings [Member]
Intangible liabilities:
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						82,000,000
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	39,200,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	122,000
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture						50.00%
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate Held-for-investment	112,200,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property	37,100,000
Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity purchase price allocation
Land and improvements		25,040,000
Building		101,472,000
Tenant improvements		17,600,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Assets Other		101,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Rent Receivable		44,000
Tangible assets		144,257,000
Intangible assets:
Above-market leases		1,512,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases		14,355,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Below Market Ground Lease		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Ground Lease Purchase Option		0
Total intangible assets		15,867,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Liabilities Accounts Payable		0
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases		-9,273,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Above Market Ground Lease		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Liabilities Total		-9,273,000
Total net assets acquired		150,851,000
816 Congress Austin, TX [Member]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity purchase price allocation
Land and improvements		6,817,000
Building		86,391,000
Tenant improvements		3,500,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Assets Other		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Rent Receivable		0
Tangible assets		96,708,000
Intangible assets:
Above-market leases		89,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases		8,222,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Below Market Ground Lease		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Ground Lease Purchase Option		2,403,000
Total intangible assets		10,714,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Liabilities Accounts Payable		0
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases		-2,820,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Above Market Ground Lease		-1,981,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Liabilities Total		-4,801,000
Total net assets acquired		102,621,000
Texas Acquisition [Member]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity purchase price allocation
Land and improvements		306,563,000
Building		586,150,000
Tenant improvements		114,220,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Assets Other		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Rent Receivable		0
Tangible assets		1,006,933,000
Intangible assets:
Above-market leases		4,959,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases		117,630,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Below Market Ground Lease		2,958,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Ground Lease Purchase Option		0
Total intangible assets		125,547,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Liabilities Accounts Payable		0
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases		-47,170,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Above Market Ground Lease		-2,508,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Liabilities Total		-49,678,000
Total net assets acquired		1,082,802,000
Post Oak Central [Member]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity purchase price allocation
Land and improvements		88,406,000
Building		118,470,000
Tenant improvements		10,877,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Assets Other		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Rent Receivable		0
Tangible assets		217,753,000
Intangible assets:
Above-market leases		995,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases		26,968,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Below Market Ground Lease		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Ground Lease Purchase Option		0
Total intangible assets		27,963,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Liabilities Accounts Payable		0
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases		-14,792,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Above Market Ground Lease		0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Liabilities Total		-14,792,000
Total net assets acquired		230,924,000
2100 Ross Avenue [Member]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity purchase price allocation
Land and improvements			5,987,000
Building			36,705,000
Tenant improvements			9,034,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Assets Other			0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Rent Receivable			0
Tangible assets			51,726,000
Intangible assets:
Above-market leases			3,267,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases			8,888,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Below Market Ground Lease			0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Ground Lease Purchase Option			0
Total intangible assets			12,155,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Liabilities Accounts Payable			0
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases			-436,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Above Market Ground Lease			0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Liabilities Total			-436,000
Total net assets acquired			63,445,000
Northpark Town Center [Member]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity purchase price allocation
Land and improvements	24,577,000
Building	274,151,000
Tenant improvements	21,674,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Assets Other	0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Rent Receivable	0
Tangible assets	320,402,000
Intangible assets:
Above-market leases	2,846,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases	30,159,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Below Market Ground Lease	0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Ground Lease Purchase Option	0
Total intangible assets	33,005,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Liabilities Accounts Payable	0
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases	-8,018,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Above Market Ground Lease	0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Liabilities Total	-8,018,000
Total net assets acquired	345,389,000
Fifth Third Center [Member]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity purchase price allocation
Land and improvements	22,863,000
Building	163,649,000
Tenant improvements	16,781,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Assets Other	1,014,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Rent Receivable	0
Tangible assets	204,307,000
Intangible assets:
Above-market leases	632,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases	17,096,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Below Market Ground Lease	338,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Ground Lease Purchase Option	0
Total intangible assets	18,066,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Tangible Liabilities Accounts Payable	-1,026,000
Intangible liabilities:
Below-market leases	-9,374,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Liabilities Above Market Ground Lease	0
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Liabilities Total	-9,374,000
Total net assets acquired	$211,973,000

Property_Transactions_Textual_

Property Transactions (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 08, 2014	Jul. 19, 2013	Oct. 01, 2014
							sqft		sqft
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	$19,358,000	$11,489,000	$18,407,000
Distributions from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	26,179,000	88,635,000	67,435,000
Proceeds from investment property sales	244,471,000	178,966,000	273,386,000
Third party management and leasing business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of discontinued investment properties	-3,000	4,577,000	7,459,000
MSREF Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)		566,000
2100 Ross Avenue [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)	844,000				844,000
Purchase price of building		59,200,000
Acquisition costs related to purchase	408,000
Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member] | MSREF Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture						80.00%
Fifth Third Center [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)							698,000
Acquisition costs related to purchase				328,000
Purchase price of property purchase							200,000,000
Texas Acquisition [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Acquisition costs related to purchase	4,200,000
Purchase price of property purchase								1,100,000,000
Northpark Town Center [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)									1,500,000
Acquisition costs related to purchase					643,000
Purchase price of property purchase									300,000,000
Term Loan [Member] | Texas Acquisition [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Term loan agreement		$950,000,000

Property_Transactions_Acquisit

Property Transactions Acquisition Pro Forma (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues	$361,383	$210,741	$136,846
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	31,850	112,041	27,605
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	53,008	126,829	47,919
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	45,519	109,097	32,821
Acquisition Pro Forma [Member]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues	388,791	354,047
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	31,695	119,825
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	52,853	134,613
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$45,364	$116,881
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.22	$0.62
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.22	$0.62

Notes_and_Accounts_Receivables2

Notes and Accounts Receivables (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Components of Notes and Accounts Receivables
Notes receivable	$414	$1,445
Allowance for doubtful accounts related to notes receivable	-414	-995
Tenant and other receivables	11,961	12,160
Allowance for doubtful accounts related to tenant and other receivables	-1,229	-832
Total notes and other receivables	$10,732	$11,778

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J2

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Summary of Financial Data and Principal Activities) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Fees Earned from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	$5,200,000		$7,800,000		$8,700,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014		2013		2012
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	618,580,000		657,384,000
Total Debt	394,934,000		428,153,000
Total Equity	202,597,000		210,460,000
Company's Investment	77,461,000		84,322,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	109,326,000		137,107,000		148,338,000
Net Income (Loss)	25,357,000		72,894,000		52,638,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	11,268,000		67,325,000		39,258,000
Terminus Office Holdings [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	288,415,000		297,815,000
Total Debt	213,640,000		215,942,000
Total Equity	62,830,000		69,867,000
Company's Investment	32,323,000		35,885,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	39,531,000		33,109,000		0
Net Income (Loss)	663,000		-408,000		0
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	308,000		-182,000		0
EP I LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	85,228,000		88,130,000
Total Debt	58,029,000		57,092,000
Total Equity	26,671,000		29,229,000
Company's Investment	22,905,000		25,319,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	12,049,000		8,261,000		796,000
Net Income (Loss)	2,583,000		100,000		-441,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	1,937,000		75,000		-330,000
Cousins Watkins LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	0		51,653,000
Total Debt	0		27,710,000
Total Equity	0		23,081,000
Company's Investment	0		17,213,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	4,415,000		5,483,000		5,575,000
Net Income (Loss)	8,286,000		55,000		-24,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	4,168,000		2,306,000		2,397,000
Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	130,272,000		135,966,000
Total Debt	35,530,000		52,408,000
Total Equity	92,808,000		82,373,000
Company's Investment	11,218,000		11,252,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	33,903,000		33,281,000		32,901,000
Net Income (Loss)	11,645,000		10,693,000		9,704,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	1,176,000		1,176,000		1,176,000
HICO Victory Center LP [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	9,962,000		0
Total Debt	0		0
Total Equity	9,962,000		0
Company's Investment	7,572,000		0
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	0		0		0
Net Income (Loss)	0		0		0
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	0		0		0
EP II LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	42,772,000		12,644,000
Total Debt	12,735,000		1,000
Total Equity	24,969,000		11,695,000
Company's Investment	19,905,000		9,566,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	0		0		0
Net Income (Loss)	0		0		0
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	0		0		0
Temco Associates
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	6,910,000		8,474,000
Total Debt	0		0
Total Equity	6,709,000		8,315,000
Company's Investment	3,027,000		4,083,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	2,155,000		630,000		702,000
Net Income (Loss)	495,000		96,000		-65,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	-6,000		-12,000		-236,000
CL Realty, L.L.C. [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	7,264,000		7,602,000
Total Debt	0		0
Total Equity	7,042,000		7,374,000
Company's Investment	3,546,000		3,704,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	1,573,000		1,603,000		2,667,000
Net Income (Loss)	1,069,000		1,027,000		1,068,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	542,000		524,000		221,000
MSREF/Cousins Terminus 200 LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	-19,000		1,197,000		12,265,000
Net Income (Loss)	14,000		-235,000		-1,069,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	3,000		-69,000		-215,000
Cp Venture Five LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	0		20,192,000		30,007,000
Net Income (Loss)	0		3,075,000		3,943,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	-17,000		17,070,000		1,059,000
CP Venture Two LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	0		12,965,000		19,533,000
Net Income (Loss)	0		7,033,000		10,473,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	0		21,590,000		1,208,000
Palisades West LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	0		0		15,401,000
Net Income (Loss)	0		-27,000		5,330,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	0		0		25,547,000
Ten Peachtree Place Associates [Member]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	0		0		2,488,000
Net Income (Loss)	0		0		20,895,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	0		0		7,843,000
CF Murfreesboro Associates [Member]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	4,000		8,067,000		13,152,000
Net Income (Loss)	4,000		48,953,000		602,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	-390,000		23,553,000		16,000
Wildwood Associates [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	16,400,000		21,127,000
Total Debt	0		0
Total Equity	16,389,000		21,121,000
Company's Investment	-1,106,000	[1]	-1,689,000	[1]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	3,329,000		0		1,000
Net Income (Loss)	-1,704,000		-151,000		-139,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	2,097,000		-75,000		-70,000
Crawford Long CPI LLC [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	29,946,000		32,042,000
Total Debt	75,000,000		75,000,000
Total Equity	-45,762,000		-44,295,000
Company's Investment	-21,931,000	[1]	-21,071,000	[1]
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	11,945,000		11,829,000		11,579,000
Net Income (Loss)	2,775,000		2,827,000		2,508,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	1,407,000		1,372,000		1,248,000
Other [Member]
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION:
Total Assets	1,411,000		1,931,000
Total Debt	0		0
Total Equity	979,000		1,700,000
Company's Investment	2,000		60,000
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Total Revenues	441,000		490,000		1,271,000
Net Income (Loss)	-473,000		-144,000		-147,000
Company's Share of Income (Loss)	$43,000		($3,000)		($606,000)
[1]	Negative balances are included in deferred income on the balance sheets.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J3

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Terminus Office Holdings LLC) (Details) (Terminus Office Holdings [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture		50.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$82,000,000
Equity Method Investments Summarized Financial Information Cash	7,900,000
Secured Mortgage Note Payable [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$213,600,000
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Final Maturity Date	1-Jan-23
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.69%
Office Building [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties Owned by Equity Investee	2
Institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	50.00%

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J4

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (EP I LLC) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
EP I LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	75.00%
Maximum amount available under construction facility, revised	$58,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Cash balance of joint venture	917,000
EP II LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of possible loan extensions	2
Period of loan extension	1 year
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	75.00%
Maximum amount available under construction facility, revised	46,000,000
Outstanding balance of mortgage loan	12,700,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.85%
Extension of mortgage loans maturity, conditions	two, one-year periods
Approximate amount of loans guaranteed by Company	8,600,000
Cash balance of joint venture	175,000
LIBOR [Member] | EP I LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Variable rate basis	LIBOR
LIBOR [Member] | EP II LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Variable rate basis	LIBOR
Gables Realty Limited [Member] | EP I LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%
Gables Realty Limited [Member] | EP II LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%
Approximate amount of loans guaranteed by Company	$2,900,000

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J5

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Cousins Watkins LLC) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Operating distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	$10,296	$67,101	$37,379
Cousins Watkins LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Operating distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	19,800
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Equity Investments	$2,200

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J6

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Charlotte Gateway Village, LLC) (Details) (Charlotte Gateway Village LLC [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	sqft
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)	1,100,000
Percentage of real estate property leased (percent)	100.00%
Lease Expiration Date	31-Dec-16
Compounded rate of return received by Company (percent)	11.46%
Percentage of Company's income (loss) received in final step of distribution	0.5
Maximum IRR on project (percent)	17.00%
Cash balance of joint venture	$3,200,000
Secured Mortgage Note Payable [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding amount of mortgage note payable of joint venture	$35,500,000
Maturity date of debt instrument	1-Dec-16
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)	6.41%
Bank of America Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	5000.00%

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J7

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (EP II LLC) (Details) (EP II LLC [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	Loan
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of possible loan extensions	2
Period of loan extension	1 year
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	75.00%
Maximum Amount Available Under Construction Facility Revised	$46,000,000
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	12,700,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.85%
Extension of Mortgage Loans Maturity Conditions	two, one-year periods
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	8,600,000
Equity Method Investments Summarized Financial Information Cash	175,000
LIBOR [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR
Gables Realty Limited [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$2,900,000
Secured Mortgage Note Payable [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument of Equity Investee Maturity Date	9-Oct-16

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J8

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Temco Associates, LLC) (Details) (Temco Associates, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
	Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (ventures)	2
Cash balance of joint venture	$196,000
Forestar [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	50.00%
Residential Real Estate [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (ventures)	1

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J9

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (CL Realty, L.L.C.) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
	Venture
CL Realty
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (ventures)	2
Cash balance of joint venture	$413,000
Temco Associates
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (ventures)	2
Cash balance of joint venture	$196,000
Forestar [Member] | CL Realty
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	5000.00%
Forestar [Member] | Temco Associates
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	50.00%
Residential Real Estate [Member] | CL Realty
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (ventures)	1
Residential Real Estate [Member] | Temco Associates
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (ventures)	1
Land | CL Realty
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties	1

Recovered_Sheet1

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (MSREF/Cousins Terminus 200 LLC) (Details) (MSREF Terminus Two Hundred LLC [Member])	Dec. 31, 2013
	sqft
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)	566,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	20.00%
Morgan Stanley [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	80.00%

Recovered_Sheet2

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (CP Venture Five LLC) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cp Venture Five LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		11.50%
CP Venture Two LLC and CP Venture Five LLC [Domain]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Equity Investments	$37,000
Retail [Member] | Cp Venture Five LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties owned by venture (properties)		5
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)		1,200,000
Retail [Member] | Suburban Atlanta Georgia [Member] | Cp Venture Five LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties owned by venture (properties)		3
Retail [Member] | Viera Florida [Member] | Cp Venture Five LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties owned by venture (properties)		2

Recovered_Sheet3

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (CP Venture Two LLC) (Details) (CP Venture Two LLC [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.40%
Company's share of gain on sale of equity investee property	$167
Retail [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties owned by venture (properties)	3
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)	934,000
Office Building [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)	69,000

Recovered_Sheet4

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (CF Murfreesboro Associates) (Details) (CF Murfreesboro Associates [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
		sqft
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	5000.00%
Company's share of gain on sale of equity investee property	$23,500
Retail [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)		751,000

Recovered_Sheet5

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Wildwood Associates) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	$10,296,000		$67,101,000		$37,379,000
Equity Method Investments Including those with Negative Balances	77,461,000		84,322,000
Company's Investment	100,498,000		107,082,000
Cousins Watkins LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	19,800,000
Equity Method Investments Including those with Negative Balances	0		17,213,000
Wildwood Associates [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	5000.00%
Acres of land available for development or sale (acres)	27
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	2,100,000
Recognition of Deferred Revenue	582,000
Equity Method Investments Including those with Negative Balances	($1,106,000)	[1]	($1,689,000)	[1]
[1]	Negative balances are included in deferred income on the balance sheets.

Recovered_Sheet6

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Crawford LongbCPI, LLC) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	$14,300,000
Crawford Long CPI LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)		400,000
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages		75,000,000
Cash balance of joint venture		812,000
Charlotte Gateway Village LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)		1,100,000
Cash balance of joint venture		3,200,000
EP II LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages		12,700,000
Cash balance of joint venture		175,000
Secured Mortgage Note Payable [Member] | Crawford Long CPI LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)		3.50%
Debt Instrument of Equity Investee Maturity Date		1-Jun-23
Secured Mortgage Note Payable [Member] | Charlotte Gateway Village LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding Amount of Mortgage Note Payable of Joint Venture		35,500,000
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)		6.41%
Debt Instrument of Equity Investee Maturity Date		1-Dec-16
Secured Mortgage Note Payable [Member] | EP II LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument of Equity Investee Maturity Date		9-Oct-16
Emory University [Member] | Crawford Long CPI LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture		5000.00%

Recovered_Sheet7

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Palisades West LLC) (Details) (Palisades West LLC [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners (percent)	50.00%
Gain on sale of investment properties	$23,300
Austin TX
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)		373,000
Office Building [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties owned by venture (properties)		2

Recovered_Sheet8

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Ten Peachtree Place Associates) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-12
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from investment property sales	$244,471	$178,966	$273,386
Ten Peachtree Place Associates [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from investment property sales				45,300
Company's share of gain on sale of equity investee property				$7,300
Midtown Atlanta Georgia [Member] | Ten Peachtree Place Associates [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Square footage of real estate property (square feet)			260,000
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Coca Cola Company [Member] | Ten Peachtree Place Associates [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture			50.00%

Recovered_Sheet9

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (HICO Victory Center LP) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	$109,326	$137,107	$148,338
HICO Victory Center LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Land Funding Requirement	75.00%
Future Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	90.00%
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Hines [Member] | HICO Victory Center LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Land Funding Requirement	25.00%
Future Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	10.00%

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Intangible Assets:
In-place leases, net of accumulated amortization of $62,302 and $26,239 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	$147,360	$152,830
Above-market tenant leases, net of accumulated amortization of $13,748 and $11,284 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	12,017	12,332
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Below Market Ground Leases Net	0	1,680
Goodwill	3,867	4,131	4,751
Total Other Assets	163,244	170,973
Accumulated Amortization of Finite Lived Intangible Asset Acquired in Place Leases	62,302	26,239
Accumulated Amortization of Finite Lived Intangible Assets Above Market Leases	13,748	11,284
Accumulated Amortization of Finite Lived Intangible Assets Below Market Ground Leases	$0	$21

Intangible_Assets_Intangibles_

Intangible Assets (Intangibles - Future Amortization) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2013	$25,245
2014	19,844
2015	13,208
2016	10,224
2017	6,652
Thereafter	14,184
Total aggregate amortization of intangible assets and liabilities	89,357
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
Below Market Rents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2013	-10,477
2014	-9,803
2015	-8,884
2016	-8,092
2017	-6,050
Thereafter	-24,160
Total aggregate amortization of intangible assets and liabilities	-67,466
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	9 years
Above Market Ground Lease [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2013	-55
2014	-55
2015	-55
2016	-55
2017	-55
Thereafter	-2,279
Total aggregate amortization of intangible assets and liabilities	-2,554
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	49 years
Above Market Rents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2013	2,784
2014	2,397
2015	1,717
2016	1,489
2017	997
Thereafter	2,633
Total aggregate amortization of intangible assets and liabilities	12,017
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	7 years
In Place Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2013	32,993
2014	27,305
2015	20,430
2016	16,882
2017	11,760
Thereafter	37,990
Total aggregate amortization of intangible assets and liabilities	$147,360
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	7 years

Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_Rol

Intangible Assets (Goodwill Rollforward) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Assets [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$4,131	$4,751
Allocated to property sales	-264	-620
Ending Balance	$3,867	$4,131	$4,751

Intangible_Assets_Textual_Deta

Intangible Assets (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Net amortization expense of intangible assets and liabilities	$32,700,000	$16,900,000

Notes_Payable_Debt_Table_Detai

Notes Payable (Debt Table) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Notes Payable	$792,344	$630,094
Post Oak Central mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	4.26%
Notes Payable	185,109	188,310
Credit Facility, unsecured
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	1.27%
Notes Payable	140,200	40,075
The American Cancer Society Center mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	6.45%
Notes Payable	131,083	132,714
Promenade mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	4.27%
Notes Payable	110,946	113,573
191 Peachtree Tower mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	3.35%
Notes Payable	100,000	100,000
816 Congress mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	3.75%
Notes Payable	85,000	0
Meridian Mark Plaza mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	6.00%
Notes Payable	25,408	25,813
The Points at Waterview mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	5.66%
Notes Payable	14,598	15,139
Mahan Village LLC construction facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate (percent)	1.80%
Notes Payable	$0	$14,470

Notes_Payable_Credit_Facility_

Notes Payable (Credit Facility Table) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Less than or equal to 30% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual Facility Fee (percent)	0.15%
Greater than 30% but less than or equal to 35% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual Facility Fee (percent)	0.20%
Greater than 35% but less than or equal to 40% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual Facility Fee (percent)	0.20%
Greater than 40% but less than or equal to 45% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual Facility Fee (percent)	0.20%
Greater than 45% but less than or equal to 50% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual Facility Fee (percent)	0.25%
Greater than 50% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual Facility Fee (percent)	0.30%
Base rate [Member] | Less than or equal to 30% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.10%
Base rate [Member] | Greater than 30% but less than or equal to 35% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.10%
Base rate [Member] | Greater than 35% but less than or equal to 40% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.15%
Base rate [Member] | Greater than 40% but less than or equal to 45% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.20%
Base rate [Member] | Greater than 45% but less than or equal to 50% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.20%
Base rate [Member] | Greater than 50% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.45%
LIBOR [Member] | Less than or equal to 30% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.10%
LIBOR [Member] | Greater than 30% but less than or equal to 35% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.10%
LIBOR [Member] | Greater than 35% but less than or equal to 40% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.15%
LIBOR [Member] | Greater than 40% but less than or equal to 45% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.20%
LIBOR [Member] | Greater than 45% but less than or equal to 50% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.20%
LIBOR [Member] | Greater than 50% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.45%
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Leverage ratio, upper limit (percent)	60.00%
Line of Credit [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.10%

Notes_Payable_Interest_Expense

Notes Payable (Interest Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Total interest incurred	$31,862	$22,227	$25,570
Interest capitalized	-2,752	-518	-1,637
Total interest expense	$29,110	$21,709	$23,933

Notes_Payable_Debt_Maturities_

Notes Payable (Debt Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Maturities
2014	$8,825
2015	24,095
2016	138,195
2017	105,734
2018	149,647
Thereafter	365,848
Notes Payable	$792,344	$630,094

Notes_Payable_Credit_Facility_1

Notes Payable (Credit Facility and Construction Loan Textuals) (Details) (Line of Credit [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	28-May-14	Feb. 28, 2012
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Previous borrowing capacity under the credit facility			$350,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase in Borrowing Capacity		150,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Previous Maturity Date	28-Feb-16
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	28-May-19
Line of Credit Facility, Expansion Amount		250,000,000
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity	359,800,000	750,000,000
Unencumbered interest coverage ratio	2
Minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio	1.5
Leverage ratio, upper limit (percent)	60.00%
Shareholders' Equity, Minimum	$1,000,000,000
Prime rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Variable rate basis	prime rate
Federal funds rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Variable rate basis	federal funds rate
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Adjusted interest rate for construction loan	LIBOR
Variable rate basis	LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.10%
Debt Instrument, Base Rate Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%

Notes_Payable_Other_Debt_Infor

Notes Payable (Other Debt Information Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Notes payable	$792,344,000	$630,094,000
Mortgage Notes Payable	652,100,000
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	835,400,000	654,100,000
Long Term Debt Nonrecourse
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of assets pledged as collateral for debt	680,900,000
Weighted average maturity of consolidated debt	5 years 5 months
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	140,200,000	40,075,000
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)	1.27%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	28-May-19
Post Oak Central Mortgage Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	185,109,000	188,310,000
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)	4.26%
Promenade mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	110,946,000	113,573,000
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)	4.27%
191 Peachtree Tower mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	100,000,000	100,000,000
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)	3.35%
816 Congress mortgage note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	85,000,000	0
Interest rate on mortgage loan (percent)	3.75%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	1-Nov-24
Terminus Office Holdings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument original principal amount				$82,000,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage				50.00%
Institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management [Member] | Terminus Office Holdings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Lease Commitments) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lease operating expenses	$1,300,000	$1,100,000	$963,000
Lease commitments
2014	1,780,000
2015	1,811,000
2016	1,737,000
2017	1,696,000
2018	1,657,000
Theraefter	138,063,000
Total	146,700,000
Outstanding Commitments to Fund Real Estate Projects	$102,500,000
Weighted average remaining terms of ground leases (in years)	86 years 7 months
Weighted average remaining terms of operating leases (in years)	1 year 8 months

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding commitments to fund real estate projects	$102,500,000
Outstanding Performance Bonds and Letters of Credit	2,400,000
Lease operating expenses	1,300,000	1,100,000	963,000
Future lease commitments	$146,700,000
Weighted average remaining terms of ground leases (in years)	86 years 7 months
Weighted average remaining terms of operating leases (in years)	1 year 8 months

Noncontrolling_Interests_Compo

Noncontrolling Interests (Components of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of redeemable noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$0	$0
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	68	-2,002
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	68
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0
Ending Balance	$0	$0	$0

Noncontrolling_Interests_Recon

Noncontrolling Interests (Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components on noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	$1,004	$5,000	$4,193
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	68	-2,002
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	($1,004)	($5,068)	($2,191)

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	31-May-13	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 14, 2014	13-May-13
			Rate
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued during a Period			26,700,000	85,600,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding			0	3,791,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			7.50%	7.50%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share			$25	$25
Common Stock, Shares, Issued			220,078,986	193,236,454
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock			$321,900,000	$826,200,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share			$1	$1		$1	$1
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share						$25	$25
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount						94,800,000	74,800,000
Preferred Share Original Issuance Costs		-3,500,000	3,530,000	2,656,000
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount, Reduction of Net Loss	$2,700,000
Percentage of Restrictions on Ownership of Company Common and Preferred Stock			3.90%
Document Fiscal Year Focus			2014	2013	2012

Stockholders_Equity_Distributi

Stockholders' Equity Distribution of REIT Taxable Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends Preferred and Common Stock	$64,510	$37,200	$31,655
Dividends Treated as Taxable Compensation	-110	-98	-147
Portion Of Dividends Declared in Current Year and Paid in Current Year which was Applied to the Prior Year Distribution Requirements	-2,182	-470	0
Portion Of Dividends Declared in Subsequent Year and Paid in Subsequent Year which Apply to Current Year Distribution Requirements	0	2,182	470
Dividends Applied to Meet Current Year REIT Distribution Requirements	$62,218	$38,814	$31,978

Stockholders_Equity_Tax_Status

Stockholders' Equity Tax Status of Distributions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014		2013		2012
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of common stock dividends per share declared	0.3		0.18		0.18
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of preferred stock dividends per share declared	0		0.96875		1.9375
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of preferred stock dividends per share declared	25.77604		1.875		1.875
Ordinary Dividends [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of common stock dividends per share declared	0.281564		0.170355		0.124724
Ordinary Dividends [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of preferred stock dividends per share declared	0		0.966882		1.34222
Ordinary Dividends [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of preferred stock dividends per share declared	0.46775		1.774673		1.298222
Long Term Capital Gain [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of common stock dividends per share declared	0.018436		0.009645		0.055276
Unrecaptured Section One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Gain	0.018436	[1]	0.009457	[1]	0.055276	[1]
Cash Liquidation Distributions	0		0		0
Long Term Capital Gain [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of preferred stock dividends per share declared	0		0.001868		0.59528
Unrecaptured Section One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Gain	0	[1]	0	[1]	0.59528	[1]
Cash Liquidation Distributions	0		25		0
Long Term Capital Gain [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Tax status of preferred stock dividends per share declared	0.001		0.100327		0.576078
Unrecaptured Section One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Gain	0.001	[1]	0.098519	[1]	0.576078	[1]
Cash Liquidation Distributions	0.253073		0		0
[1]	(A)Represents a portion of the dividend allocated to long-term capital gain.

Rental_Property_Revenues_Detai

Rental Property Revenues (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract]
Thereafter	$651,690
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Three Years	200,654
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Two Years	218,991
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Four Years	191,446
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Five Years	166,739
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Current	219,974
Total Rentals	$1,649,494

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Options Granted) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_1

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of year, (number of options)	3,078
Exercised (number of options)	-206
Forfeited/Expired (number of options)	-661
Outstanding, end of year, (number of options)	2,211
Options exercisable at end of year (number of options)	2,180
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of year, weighted average exercise price per option (dollars per option)	$22.90
Exercised, weighted average exercise price per option (dollars per option)	$8.26
Forfeited/Expired, weighted average exercise price per option (dollars per option)	$28.18
Outstanding, end of year, weighted average exercise price per option (dollars per option)	$22.69
Options exercisable at end of year, weighted average exercise price per option (dollars per option)	$22.89

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Regular RSU activity
Outstanding at beginning of year (number of shares)	450,000
Granted, (number of shares)	137,591	159,782	470,306
Vested, (number of shares)	-236,000
Forfeited, (number of shares)	-10,000
Outstanding at end of year (number of shares)	342,000	450,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Non-vested restricted stock at beginning of year, weighted-average grant date fair value (dollars per share)	$8
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value (dollars per share)	$10.75
Vested, weighted-average grant date fair value (dollars per share)	$8
Forfeited, weighted-average grant date fair value (dollars per share)	$9.48
Non-vested restricted stock at en of year, weighted-average grant date fair value (dollars per share)	$9.08	$8
Immediately on grant date [Member]
Summary of Regular RSU activity
Granted, (number of shares)	55,293	50,085	72,153

StockBased_Compensation_Regula

Stock-Based Compensation (Regular RSU Activity) (Details) (Time-vested restricted stock units [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Time-vested restricted stock units [Member]
Summary of Regular RSU activity
Outstanding at beginning of year (number of shares)	58,000
Granted, (number of shares)	57,246
Vested, (number of shares)	-58,000
Outstanding at end of year (number of shares)	0

StockBased_Compensation_Peform

Stock-Based Compensation (Peformance-Based RSU Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Performance-based RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Targeted Number of Units Outstanding	161,783	161,651	191,470
Types of performance-based RSUs	2
Summary of all performance-based RSU activity
Outstanding at beginning of year (number of shares)	755,000
Granted, (number of shares)	205,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	-150,000
Forfeited, (number of shares)	-14,000
Outstanding at end of year (number of shares)	796,000	755,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash Paid for RSU Vesting and Dividend Payments	2,400
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Performance-based RSU [Member]
Summary of all performance-based RSU activity
Granted, (number of shares)		281,532
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		5 years
Interim measurement dates	each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries

StockBased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized under stock option plan (shares)	2,482,592
Stock options outstanding (number of options)	2,211,000	3,078,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options outstanding (number of options)	2,210,905
Term life of stock options (years)	P10Y
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$140,000	$226,000	$300,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	15,000
Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options	1,700,000
Fair value of options exercisable	2,100,000
Weighted average contractual life of outstanding options (in years)	2 years 9 months
Weighted average contractual life of exercisable options (in years)		3 years 2 months
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years
Unrecognized compensation cost	1,500,000
Number of restricted stock units granted	137,591	159,782	470,306
Compensation expense, restricted stock	1,800,000	1,800,000	2,000,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition (in years)	1 year 8 months
Total fair value of the restricted stock which vested	2,700,000
Time-vested restricted stock units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restricted stock units granted	57,246
Cliff vesting period (in years)	3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition (in years)	1 year 6 months
Total cash paid for vesting and dividend payments	2,400,000
Estimate of future expense for all types of RSUs outstanding	3,700,000
Recognized compensation expense related to RSUs for employees and directors, before capitalization or income tax benefit, if any	5,400,000	5,300,000	2,500,000
Performance-based RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Number of restricted stock units granted	205,000
Payout range minimum	0.00%
Payout range maximum	200.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Targeted Number of Units Outstanding	161,783	161,651	191,470
Long-term incentive compensation [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	($28,000)	($286,000)	$101,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Performance-based RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		5 years
Number of restricted stock units granted		281,532
Payout range minimum	0.00%
Payout range maximum	150.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Other_

Stock-Based Compensation (Other Stockholder Investment Information Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Rate
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	3,791,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	7.50%	7.50%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$25	$25
Repurchase of common stock	3,570,082	3,570,082
Aggregate price of repurchase stock	$86,840	$86,840
Percentage of Restrictions on Ownership of Company Common and Preferred Stock	3.90%
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	2,993,090
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		7.75%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$25
Long term incentive compensation [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$28	$286	-101

Retirement_Savings_Plan_Detail

Retirement Savings Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Retirement Savings Plan (Textual) [Abstract]
Employer contribution matching percentage	3.00%
Employee vesting period in the retirement saving plan	3 years
Company defined contribution plan	$592	$422	$700

Income_Taxes_Tax_Benefit_Provi

Income Taxes (Tax Benefit (Provision) From Operations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Current tax benefit (provision):
Federal	$0	$0	$0
State	20	23	-91
Current tax benefit (provision)	20	23	-91
Deferred tax benefit (provision):
Federal	0	0	0
State	0	0	0
Deferred tax benefit (provision)	0	0	0
Benefit (provision) applicable to income (loss) from continuing operations	$20	$23	($91)

Income_Taxes_Statutory_Federal

Income Taxes (Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Difference between income tax benefit and statutory federal income tax rate
Federal income tax benefit	($1,124)	($1,287)	($4,368)
Federal income tax benefit, rate (percent)	-35.00%	-35.00%	-35.00%
State income tax benefit, net of federal income tax effect	-125	-147	-91
State income tax benefit, net of federal income tax effect, rate (percent)	-4.00%	-4.00%	0.00%
Valuation allowance	1,644	-361	7,055
Valuation allowance, rate (percent)	50.00%	-10.00%	57.00%
State deferred tax adjustment	-375	1,818	-2,687
State deferred tax adjustment (percent)	-11.00%	49.00%	-22.00%
Other	0	0	0
Other, rate (percent)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Benefit (provision) applicable to income (loss) from continuing operations	$20	$23	($91)
Benefit (provision) applicable to income (loss) from continuing operations, rate (percent)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Income_Taxes_Tax_Effect_of_Sig

Income Taxes (Tax Effect of Significant Temporary Differences) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Tax effect of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities
Income from unconsolidated joint ventures	$2,441	$7,361
Land	0	6,116
Long-term incentive equity awards	0	2,089
Interest Carryforward	0	13,158
Federal and state tax carryforwards	0	50,253
Other	0	364
Total deferred tax assets	2,441	79,341
Valuation allowance	-2,441	-79,341
Net deferred tax asset	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Textual_Details

Income Taxes (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Deferred tax asset of the company's taxable REIT subsidiary, CREC	$2,441	$79,341
Deferred tax assets, interest carryforward	$0	$13,158

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014	2013	2012
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARESbBASIC (shares)	204,216	144,255	104,117
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	244	165	8
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARESbDILUTED (shares)	204,460	144,420	104,125
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,553	2,208	5,836

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas2

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$28,840	$21,216	$23,142
Income taxes paid	4	90	63
Non-Cash Transactions:
Transfer from operating properties to operating properties and related assets held for sale	0	24,554	1,866
Transfer from projects under development to operating properties	0	25,629	0
Transfer from other assets to projects under development	0	3,062	0
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0
Transfer from land to projects under development	5,185	0	0
Retained Earnings [Member]
Non-Cash Transactions:
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests			$0

Reportable_Segments_Textual_De

Reportable Segments (Textual) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	4

Reportable_Segments_Net_Income

Reportable Segments (Net Income (Loss) Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	$0	($4,577)	($7,459)
Interest expense	-185	-520	-1,985
Reimbursed Expenses	-3,652	-5,215	-7,063
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			-94
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-2,955	-10,008	-12,907
Net income available to common stockholders	45,519	109,097	32,821
Total Assets	2,667,330	2,273,206
Office
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net operating income	206,551	122,503	80,907
Fee income	0	0	0
Sales less costs of sales	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	0	0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing	0		0
Interest expense	0	0	0
Third party management and leasing expenses	0	0	0
Reimbursed Expenses	0	0	0
Separation expenses	0	0	0
Interest expense			0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			0
Reimbursed expenses	0	0	0
Dividends, Preferred Stock	0	0	0
Funds from operations available to common stockholders	206,551	122,503	80,907
Total Assets	2,576,449	2,163,123	736,867
Retail
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net operating income	4,479	13,278	29,429
Fee income	0	0	0
Sales less costs of sales	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	0	0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing	0		0
Interest expense	0	0	0
Third party management and leasing expenses	0	0	0
Reimbursed Expenses	0	0	0
Separation expenses	0	0	0
Interest expense			0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			0
Reimbursed expenses	0	0	0
Dividends, Preferred Stock	0	0	0
Funds from operations available to common stockholders	4,479	13,278	29,429
Total Assets	5,587	18,112	151,417
Land
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net operating income	0	0	0
Fee income	3,868	1,273	4,915
Sales less costs of sales	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	0	0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing	0		0
Interest expense	0	0	0
Third party management and leasing expenses	0	0	0
Reimbursed Expenses	0	0	0
Separation expenses	0	0	0
Interest expense			0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			0
Reimbursed expenses	0	0	0
Dividends, Preferred Stock	0	0	0
Funds from operations available to common stockholders	3,868	1,273	4,915
Total Assets	34,799	47,235	50,520
Third Party Management and Leasing
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net operating income		0	0
Fee income		0	0
Sales less costs of sales		76	16,365
Other income		0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business		4,576	7,459
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing		-97	-13,675
Interest expense		0	0
Third party management and leasing expenses		0	0
Reimbursed Expenses		0	0
Separation expenses		0	0
Interest expense			0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			0
Reimbursed expenses		0	0
Dividends, Preferred Stock		0	0
Funds from operations available to common stockholders		4,555	10,149
Total Assets			0
Other
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net operating income	4,643	2,299	121
Fee income	42	191	309
Sales less costs of sales	12,519	10,891	17,797
Other income	5,404	3,528	5,153
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	-3	0	0
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing	-2	0	0
Interest expense	-210	-520	-1,985
Third party management and leasing expenses	-19,784	-21,940	-23,208
Reimbursed Expenses	-3,652	-5,215	-7,063
Separation expenses	-36,474	-29,672	-28,154
Interest expense			-488
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			-94
Reimbursed expenses	-5,692	-11,373	-8,389
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-6,485	-12,664	-12,907
Funds from operations available to common stockholders	-49,694	-64,475	-58,908
Total Assets	50,495	44,736	185,438
Total
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net operating income	215,673	138,080	110,457
Fee income	3,910	1,464	5,224
Sales less costs of sales	12,519	10,967	34,162
Other income	5,404	3,528	5,153
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing business	-3	4,576	7,459
Gain on sale of third party management and leasing	-2	-97	-13,675
Interest expense	-210	-520	-1,985
Third party management and leasing expenses	-19,784	-21,940	-23,208
Reimbursed Expenses	-3,652	-5,215	-7,063
Separation expenses	-36,474	-29,672	-28,154
Interest expense			-488
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			-94
Reimbursed expenses	-5,692	-11,373	-8,389
Dividends, Preferred Stock	-6,485	-12,664	-12,907
Funds from operations available to common stockholders	165,204	77,134	66,492
Real estate depreciation and amortization, including Company's share of joint ventures	-151,066	-92,041	-62,043
Gain on sale of depreciated investment properties, including Company's share of joint ventures			-11,748
Non-controlling interest related to the sale of depreciated properties	31,955	127,401	41,944
Other adjustments			-1,824
Noncontrolling Interest Related to Gain on Sale of Depreciated Investment Properties	-574	-3,397
Net income available to common stockholders	45,519	109,097	32,821
Total Assets	$2,667,330	$2,273,206	$1,124,242

Reportable_Segments_Revenue_Re

Reportable Segments (Revenue Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental property operating expenses	($155,934)	($90,498)	($50,329)
Total consolidated revenues	361,383	210,741	136,846
Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating income	215,673	138,080	110,457
Sales less cost of sales	3,910	1,464	5,224
Fee income	12,519	10,967	34,162
Other income	5,404	3,528	5,153
Rental property operating expenses	155,934	90,498	50,329
Cost of sales	325	1,753	1,833
Net operating income in joint ventures	-25,896	-27,763	-23,956
Sales less cost of sales in joint ventures	-2,207	-111	-28
Net operating income in discontinued operations	-1,800	-6,390	-22,983
Fee income in discontinued operations	0	-76	-16,364
Other income in discontinued operations	-565	-64	-3,622
Termination Fees in Discontinues Operations and in Joint Ventures	-187	0	0
Gain on land sales (included in gain on investment properties)	-1,727	-1,145	-3,719
Total consolidated revenues	$361,383	$210,741	$136,486

Real_Estate_and_Accumulated_De1

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Schedule of Properties) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	$2,619,488	$2,164,815	$997,323	$1,253,414
Accumulated depreciation	324,543	257,151	258,258	289,473
Operating properties
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	652,144
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	458,293
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	1,701,743
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	7,376
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	338,815
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	465,669
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	2,040,558
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	2,506,227
Accumulated depreciation	324,543
Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	66,623
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-44,977
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	21,646
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	21,646
Accumulated depreciation	0
Commercial Real Estate [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	47,382
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-35,594
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	11,788
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	11,788
Accumulated depreciation	0
Residential Lots [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	19,241
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-9,383
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	9,858
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	9,858
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years
Greenway Plaza Houston, TX [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	273,651
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	595,547
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	34,018
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	273,651
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	629,565
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	903,216
Accumulated depreciation	50,698
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	30 years
One Ninety One Peachtree Tower Atlanta [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	100,000
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	5,355
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	141,012
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	4,034
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	87,100
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	9,389
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	228,112
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	237,501
Accumulated depreciation	77,637
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	40 years
Terminus 100 Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	185,109
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	87,264
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	129,347
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	24,033
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	87,264
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	153,380
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	240,644
Accumulated depreciation	15,561
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	42 years
Promenade Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	110,946
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	13,439
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	102,790
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	31,003
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	13,439
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	133,793
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	147,232
Accumulated depreciation	18,735
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	34 years
The American Cancer Society Center Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	131,083
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	5,226
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	67,370
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	31,319
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	5,226
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	98,689
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	103,915
Accumulated depreciation	63,724
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	25 years
816 Congress Austin, TX [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	85,000
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	6,817
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	89,891
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	3,282
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	7,903
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	10,099
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	97,794
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	107,893
Accumulated depreciation	6,203
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	42 years
2100 Ross Avenue [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	5,987
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	45,739
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	33,854
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	5,987
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	79,593
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	85,580
Accumulated depreciation	10,427
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	35 years
The Points at Waterview Suburban Dallas, TX [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	14,598
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	2,558
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	22,910
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	86
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	10,512
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	2,644
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	33,422
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	36,066
Accumulated depreciation	19,736
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	25 years
Meridian Mark Plaza Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	25,408
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	2,219
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	27,105
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	2,219
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	27,105
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	29,324
Accumulated depreciation	16,688
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	30 years
555 North Point Center East Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	368
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-3
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	21,933
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	365
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	21,933
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	22,298
Accumulated depreciation	13,235
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	30 years
221 Peachtree Center Avenue Parking Garage Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	4,217
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	13,337
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	1
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	347
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	4,218
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	13,684
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	17,902
Accumulated depreciation	2,755
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	39 years
333 North Point Center East Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	551
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	1
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	15,626
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	552
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	15,626
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	16,178
Accumulated depreciation	10,016
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	30 years
100 North Point Center East Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	1,475
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	9,625
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-11
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	3,266
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	1,464
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	12,891
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	14,355
Accumulated depreciation	7,519
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	25 years
200 North Point Center East Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	1,726
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	7,920
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-14
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	4,690
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	1,712
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	12,610
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	14,322
Accumulated depreciation	6,045
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	25 years
Land Adjacent to The Avenue Forsyth Suburban Atlanta [Member] | Commercial Real Estate [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	11,240
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-7,540
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	3,700
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	3,700
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years
Blalock Lakes Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Commercial Real Estate [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	9,646
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-6,301
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	3,345
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	3,345
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years
Blalock Lakes Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Residential Lots [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	17,657
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-12,386
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	5,271
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	5,271
Accumulated depreciation	0
549 / 555 / 557 Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA [Member] | Commercial Real Estate [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	5,988
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-3,363
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	2,625
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	2,625
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years
North Point Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Commercial Real Estate [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	10,294
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-8,851
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	1,443
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	1,443
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years
Wildwood Suburban Atlanta, GA [Member] | Commercial Real Estate [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	10,214
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-9,539
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	675
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	675
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years
Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain, GA [Member] | Residential Lots [Member] | Impairment moved to discontinued operations
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	1,584
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	3,003
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	4,587
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	4,587
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years
Northpark Town Center [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	24,577
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	295,825
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	3,999
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	24,577
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	299,824
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	324,401
Accumulated depreciation	3,119
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	39 years
Fifth Third Center [Member] | Operating Properties Office [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	22,863
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	180,430
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	2,107
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	22,863
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	182,537
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	205,400
Accumulated depreciation	2,445
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	40 years
Operating Properties [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	652,144
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	529,289
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	1,701,743
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	-37,601
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	426,057
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	491,688
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	2,127,523
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	2,619,488
Accumulated depreciation	324,543
Projects under Development [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	4,373
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	87,242
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	4,373
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	87,242
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	91,615
Accumulated depreciation	0
Projects under Development [Member] | Colorado Tower [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	0
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	85,843
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	0
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	85,843
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	85,843
Accumulated depreciation	0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	30 years
Projects under Development [Member] | Research Park Austin [Member]
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Encumbrances	0
Initial cost to company, land and improvements	4,373
Initial cost to company, building and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, land and improvements	0
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition, building and improvements	1,399
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, land and improvements	4,373
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, building and Improvements less cost of sales, transfers and other	1,399
Gross amount at which carried at close of period, total	5,772
Accumulated depreciation	$0
Life on which depreciation in statement of operations is computed (b)	0 years

Notes_to_Schedule_III_Details

(Notes to Schedule III) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus		2014	2013	2012
Real Estate
Real estate, beginning balance		$2,164,815	$997,323	$1,253,414
Additions during the period:
Cost of real property acquired		523,695	1,321,394	42,692
Improvements and other capitalized costs		109,959	86,376	49,559
Depreciation expense		0	0	0
Real estate additions, total	92,251	633,654	1,407,770
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed		178,981	240,278	334,552
Impairment loss		0	0	13,790
Write-off of fully depreciated assets		0	0	0
Real estate deductions, total		178,981	240,278	348,342
Real estate, ending balance	997,323	2,619,488	2,164,815	997,323
Accumulated Depreciation
Real estate accumulated depreciation, beginning balance		257,151	258,258	289,473
Additions during the period:
Acquisition		0	0	0
Improvements and other capitalized costs		0	0	0
Depreciation expense		86,824	56,234	48,607
Real estate accumulated depreciation additions, total	48,607	86,824	56,234
Deductions during the period:
Cost of real estate sold or foreclosed		19,432	57,341	79,822
Impairment loss	0	0	0
Write-off of fully depreciated assets		0	0	0
Real estate accumulated depreciation deductions, total		19,432	57,341	79,822
Real estate accumulated depreciation, ending balance	$258,258	$324,543	$257,151	$258,258
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Deductions during the period:
Useful life		24 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Deductions during the period:
Useful life		42 years

Other_Assets_Other_Assets_Deta

Other Assets Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Abstract]
Incentive to Lessee	$12,245	$12,548
Furniture, Fixture and Equipments and Leasehold Improvements	10,590	8,743
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	3,428	3,606
Predevelopment Costs and Earnest Money	1,789	821
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	6,878	4,176
Other Assets	34,930	29,894
Accumulated Amortization Incentives to Lessees	5,475	4,181
Furniture, Fixture and Equipments and Leasehold Improvements Accumulated Depreciation	19,137	17,684
Accumulated Amortization, Deferred Finance Costs	$2,286	$2,621

Uncategorized_Items

Uncategorized Items
[us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest]	687,835,000	107,272,000	33,703,000	603,692,000	169,602,000	-274,177,000	-86,840,000