Forest City Enterprises (FCEPP) 10-Q 7 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	2-May-14	2-May-14
		Common stock Class A	Common stock Class B
Entity Registrant Name	'FOREST CITY ENTERPRISES INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000038067	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	180,764,283	19,546,855

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate	'	'
Completed rental properties	$7,193,860,000	$7,307,233,000
Projects under construction and development	590,566,000	535,479,000
Land inventory	120,852,000	128,688,000
Total Real Estate	7,905,278,000	7,971,400,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-1,478,426,000	-1,469,328,000
Real Estate, net b (variable interest entities $633.0 million and $656.8 million, respectively)	6,426,852,000	6,502,072,000
Cash and equivalents b (variable interest entities $18.4 million and $18.8 million, respectively)	244,168,000	280,206,000
Restricted cash b (variable interest entities $150.3 million and $154.5 million, respectively)	337,143,000	347,534,000
Notes and accounts receivable, net	465,296,000	455,561,000
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	469,865,000	447,165,000
Other assets b (variable interest entities $50.7 million and $55.5 million, respectively)	405,988,000	415,316,000
Operating property assets held for sale	78,348,000	0
Development project held for sale b (variable interest entities $519.1 million and $504.2 million, respectively)	519,148,000	504,171,000
Total Assets	8,946,808,000	8,952,025,000
Liabilities	'	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse b (variable interest entities $311.0 million and $323.7 million, respectively)	4,248,991,000	4,351,506,000
Revolving credit facility	0	0
Convertible senior debt	700,000,000	700,000,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities b (variable interest entities $93.7 million and $89.0 million, respectively)	837,805,000	831,920,000
Cash distributions and losses in excess of investments in unconsolidated entities	271,008,000	256,843,000
Deferred income taxes	466,751,000	485,894,000
Liabilities of operating property held for sale	81,494,000	0
Mortgage debt, nonrecourse, of development project held for sale b (variable interest entities $228.0 million as of each period)	228,000,000	228,000,000
Total Liabilities	6,834,049,000	6,854,163,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	197,040,000	171,743,000
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value	'	'
Common stock	66,229,000	66,225,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,065,050,000	1,095,748,000
Retained earnings	586,313,000	570,793,000
Less treasury stock, at cost; 933,154 and 941,853 Class A shares, respectively	-15,837,000	-15,978,000
Shareholders' equity before accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,701,755,000	1,716,788,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-70,562,000	-76,582,000
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,631,193,000	1,640,206,000
Noncontrolling interest	284,526,000	285,913,000
Total Equity	1,915,719,000	1,926,119,000
Total Liabilities and Equity	8,946,808,000	8,952,025,000
Other preferred stock	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock Class A	'	'
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value	'	'
Common stock	59,713,000	59,500,000
Total Equity	59,713,000	59,500,000
Common stock Class B	'	'
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value	'	'
Common stock	6,516,000	6,725,000
Total Equity	$6,516,000	$6,725,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Real Estate, net	$6,426,852	$6,502,072
Cash and equivalents	244,168	280,206
Restricted cash	337,143	347,534
Other assets	405,988	415,316
Development project held for sale	519,148	504,171
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	4,248,991	4,351,506
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	837,805	831,920
Mortgage debt, nonrecourse, of development project held for sale	228,000	228,000
Variable interest entities	'	'
Real Estate, net	633,000	656,800
Cash and equivalents	18,400	18,800
Restricted cash	150,300	154,500
Other assets	50,700	55,500
Development project held for sale	519,100	504,200
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	311,000	323,700
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	93,700	89,000
Mortgage debt, nonrecourse, of development project held for sale	$228,000	$228,000
Other preferred stock	'	'
Preferred Stock, without par value	$0	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	13,600,000	13,600,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock Class A	'	'
Common stock, par value per share	$0.33	$0.33
Common stock, shares authorized	371,000,000	371,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	179,140,377	178,498,770
Common stock, shares outstanding	178,207,223	177,556,917
Treasury stock, Class A shares	933,154	941,853
Common stock Class B	'	'
Common stock, par value per share	$0.33	$0.33
Common stock, shares authorized	56,000,000	56,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	19,548,552	20,173,558
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,548,552	20,173,558
Common stock, shares issuable	26,257,961	26,257,961

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues from real estate operations	$215,830,000	$245,826,000
Arena revenues	35,357,000	24,140,000
Total revenues	251,187,000	269,966,000
Expenses	'	'
Operating expenses	147,627,000	165,855,000
Arena operating expenses	23,476,000	18,412,000
Depreciation and amortization	55,009,000	67,804,000
Write-offs of abandoned development projects	0	12,896,000
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	0	-11,187,000
Total expenses	226,112,000	253,780,000
Interest expense	-62,452,000	-81,483,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	-2,125,000	-2,741,000
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	-164,000	27,000
Interest and other income	9,853,000	10,650,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	-467,000	0
Loss before income taxes	-30,280,000	-57,361,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'
Current	35,934,000	-34,272,000
Deferred	-32,003,000	25,607,000
Total income tax expense (benefit)	3,931,000	-8,665,000
Net gain on change in control of interests	2,759,000	0
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax	'	'
Equity in earnings	34,029,000	8,311,000
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	0	1,829,000
Total equity in earnings (loss) from unconsolidated entities	34,029,000	10,140,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	2,577,000	-38,556,000
Discontinued operations, net of tax:	'	'
Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	-2,641,000	555,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	14,513,000	15,178,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	11,872,000	15,733,000
Net earnings (loss)	14,449,000	-22,823,000
Noncontrolling interests	'	'
Loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, gross of tax	1,121,000	9,083,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-50,000	-5,851,000
(Earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,071,000	3,232,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	15,520,000	-19,591,000
Preferred dividends	0	-185,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$15,520,000	($19,776,000)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	'	'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$0.02	($0.16)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$0.06	$0.05
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$0.08	($0.11)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	'	'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$0.02	($0.16)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$0.06	$0.05
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$0.08	($0.11)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	$14,449,000	($22,823,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'
Unrealized net gains on investment securities, net of tax	0	115,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	0	-116,000
Unrealized net gains on interest rate derivative contracts, net of tax	6,029,000	5,691,000
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	6,029,000	5,690,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	20,478,000	-17,133,000
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,062,000	3,222,000
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$21,540,000	($13,911,000)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Tax amount related to unrealized net gains on investment securities	$0	($73,000)
Tax amount related to foreign currency translation adjustments	0	73,000
Tax amount related to unrealized net gains on interest rate derivative contracts	($3,814,000)	($3,599,000)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Noncontrolling Interest	Series A Preferred Stock	Common stock Class A	Common Stock Class B
Balance at Jan. 31, 2013	$1,738,571,000	$932,045,000	$576,285,000	($108,000)	($103,203,000)	$261,679,000	$10,552,000	$54,576,000	$6,745,000
Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2013	'	'	'	7,000	'	'	211,000	163,729,000	20,235,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss), net of $3,093 and $16,847 attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	-53,943,000	'	-5,307,000	'	'	-48,636,000	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	26,655,000	'	'	'	26,621,000	34,000	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-3,167,000	'	'	-3,167,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock, Shares	'	'	'	180,000	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,000	-20,000
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	62,000	-62,000
Issuance of Class A shares in exchange for Series A preferred stock	0	5,368,000	'	'	'	'	-5,489,000	121,000	'
Issuance of Class A shares in exchange for Series A preferred stock, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	-110,000	363,000	'
Redemption of Series A preferred stock	-5,063,000	'	'	'	'	'	-5,063,000	'	'
Redemption of Series A preferred stock, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	-101,000	'	'
Proceeds from settlement of equity call hedge related to issuance of preferred stock	10,231,000	23,099,000	'	-12,868,000	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from settlement of equity call hedge related to issuance of preferred stock, Shares	'	'	'	765,000	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Class A shares in exchange for Puttable Equity-Linked Senior Notes due 2014	194,345,000	189,786,000	'	'	'	'	'	4,559,000	'
Issuance of Class A shares in exchange for Puttable Equity-Linked Senior Notes due 2014, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,679,000	'
Restricted stock vested	0	-202,000	'	'	'	'	'	202,000	'
Restricted stock vested, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	600,000	'
Exercise of stock options	1,153,000	966,000	'	165,000	'	'	'	22,000	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	'	'	'	-10,000	'	'	'	66,000	'
Preferred stock dividends	-185,000	'	-185,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	16,197,000	16,197,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess income tax deficiency from stock-based compensation	-133,000	-133,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemble noncontrolling interest adjustment	50,546,000	50,546,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of partners' noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	-98,687,000	-95,924,000	'	'	'	-2,763,000	'	'	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	80,339,000	'	'	'	'	80,339,000	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-36,400,000	'	'	'	'	-36,400,000	'	'	'
Change to equity method of accounting for subsidiaries	5,660,000	'	'	'	'	5,660,000	'	'	'
Adjustment due to change in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries	0	-26,000,000	'	'	'	26,000,000	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,926,119,000	1,095,748,000	570,793,000	-15,978,000	-76,582,000	285,913,000	0	59,500,000	6,725,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	'	942,000	'	'	0	178,499,000	20,173,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss), net of $3,093 and $16,847 attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	17,542,000	'	15,520,000	'	'	2,022,000	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	6,029,000	'	'	'	6,020,000	9,000	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-100,000	'	'	-100,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock, Shares	5,483	'	'	5,000	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	209,000	-209,000
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	625,000	-625,000
Restricted stock vested	0	-4,000	'	'	'	'	'	4,000	'
Restricted stock vested, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,000	'
Exercise of stock options	181,000	-60,000	'	241,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	'	'	'	-14,000	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock dividends	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	6,031,000	6,031,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess income tax deficiency from stock-based compensation	-150,000	-150,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemble noncontrolling interest adjustment	-28,390,000	-28,390,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of partners' noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	-8,125,000	-8,125,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	1,554,000	'	'	'	'	1,554,000	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-4,972,000	'	'	'	'	-4,972,000	'	'	'
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$1,915,719,000	$1,065,050,000	$586,313,000	($15,837,000)	($70,562,000)	$284,526,000	$0	$59,713,000	$6,516,000
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2014	'	'	'	933,000	'	'	0	179,140,000	19,548,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ1

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (Noncontrolling Interest, USD $)	3 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest	'	'
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	$3,093	$16,847

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net earnings (loss)	$14,449,000	($22,823,000)
Depreciation and amortization	55,009,000	67,804,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	2,125,000	2,741,000
Write-offs of abandoned development projects	0	12,896,000
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	164,000	-27,000
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	0	-11,187,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	-467,000	0
Net gain on change in control of interests	2,759,000	0
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-32,003,000	25,607,000
Earnings from unconsolidated entities	-34,029,000	-10,140,000
Stock-based compensation expense	3,966,000	2,218,000
Amortization and mark-to-market adjustments of derivative instruments	5,524,000	787,000
Cash distributions from operations of unconsolidated entities	11,431,000	15,610,000
Non-cash operating expenses and deferred taxes included in discontinued operations	9,942,000	9,047,000
Gain on disposition included in discontinued operations	-26,824,000	-21,471,000
Decrease in land inventory	4,185,000	6,078,000
(Increase) decrease in notes and accounts receivable	-6,653,000	458,000
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-3,261,000	11,817,000
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	18,188,000	-29,633,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,921,000	59,782,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'
Capital expenditures	-110,741,000	-115,246,000
Payment of lease procurement costs	-648,000	-1,838,000
Increase in notes receivable	-225,000	-6,499,000
Decrease in restricted cash used for investing purposes	10,779,000	9,565,000
Proceeds from disposition of rental properties	28,680,000	21,987,000
Increase in investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	-21,161,000	-6,916,000
Decrease in investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	44,178,000	6,871,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-49,138,000	-92,076,000
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	103,090,000	80,379,000
Principal payments on nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	-97,171,000	-63,531,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	85,225,000	40,500,000
Payments on revolving credit facility	-85,225,000	0
Redemption of Senior Notes due 2015	0	-53,253,000
Deferred financing costs	-1,278,000	-6,101,000
Purchase of treasury stock	-100,000	-201,000
Redemption of Series A preferred stock	0	-5,063,000
Proceeds from equity call hedge related to the issuance of Series A preferred stock	0	10,231,000
Exercise of stock options	181,000	8,014,000
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	0	-185,000
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	8,125,000	3,032,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	1,554,000	1,795,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-4,972,000	-2,253,000
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-6,821,000	7,300,000
Net decrease in cash and equivalents	-36,038,000	-24,994,000
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	280,206,000	293,557,000
Cash and equivalents at end of period	244,168,000	268,563,000
Operating Activities	'	'
Decrease in land inventory	688,000	9,332,000
Decrease (increase) in notes and accounts receivable	2,737,000	-21,149,000
Increase in other assets	-7,785,000	-7,600,000
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,856,000	8,485,000
Total effect on operating activities	-2,504,000	-10,932,000
Investing Activities	'	'
Increase in projects under construction and development	-9,345,000	-10,378,000
Decrease in completed rental properties	53,285,000	30,028,000
Increase in restricted cash	-387,000	0
Increase in investments in and advances to affiliates	-9,158,000	-4,924,000
Total effect on investing activities	34,395,000	14,726,000
Financing Activities	'	'
Decrease in nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	-33,812,000	-5,071,000
Decrease in preferred stock	0	-5,489,000
Increase in Class A common stock	0	121,000
(Decrease) increase in additional paid-in capital	-26,473,000	15,598,000
Increase in treasury stock	0	-12,868,000
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interest	28,390,000	3,915,000
Increase in noncontrolling interest	4,000	0
Total effect on financing activities	($31,891,000)	($3,794,000)

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Accounting Policies	'
	Accounting Policies
	Change in Year-End
	The Board of Directors of the Company approved a change to the Company's fiscal year-end to December 31 from January 31, effective December 31, 2013 (the "Year-end change"). As a result, the financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 have been presented to allow for comparison between periods. The Company believes the Year-end change was important and useful to its financial statement users to allow for increased comparability of its performance to its peers.
	Basis of Presentation
	The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KT for the 11 months ended December 31, 2013, as amended on Form 10-KT/A on March 26, 2014. The results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any subsequent period. In management's opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. Some of the critical estimates include, but are not limited to, determination of the primary beneficiary of variable interest entities (“VIEs”), estimates of useful lives for long-lived assets, reserves for collection on accounts and notes receivable and other investments, the fair value estimate of redeemable noncontrolling interest, impairment of real estate and other-than-temporary impairments on equity method investments. As a result of the nature of estimates, actual results could differ.
	Reclassifications
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded revenues and operating expenses relating to the Arena segment on "Arena revenues" and "Arena operating expenses" financial statement line items on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Accordingly, comparable amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2013 have been reclassified. In addition, The Nets operating segment information as of December 31, 2013 and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 has been reclassified and aggregated with the Corporate Activities operating segment disclosures to conform to the current year presentation. Certain other prior year amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
	Variable Interest Entities
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company determined it was the primary beneficiary of 30 VIEs representing 23 properties, which are consolidated. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company’s general credit. As of March 31, 2014, the Company owns variable interests in 61 VIEs for which it is not the primary beneficiary, which are accounted for as equity method investments. The maximum exposure to loss as a result of the ownership of these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the Company’s applicable investment balances, which approximates $61,000,000 at March 31, 2014.
	New Accounting Guidance
	The following accounting pronouncement was adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance, which clarifies whether the unrecognized tax benefit should be recorded as a liability or reduction of the related deferred tax asset, is effective for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2014 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	The following new accounting pronouncement will be adopted on its respective effective date:
	In April 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. This guidance changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim reporting periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted.
	Related Party Transactions
	The Company and certain of its affiliates entered into a Master Contribution and Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Bruce C. Ratner (“Mr. Ratner”), an Executive Vice President and Director of the Company, and certain entities and individuals affiliated with Mr. Ratner (the “BCR Entities”) in August 2006 to purchase a total of 30 retail, office and residential operating properties and service companies in the Greater New York City metropolitan area. Pursuant to the Agreement, certain projects under development would remain owned jointly until each individual project was completed and achieved “stabilization.” Upon stabilization, each project would be valued and the Company, in its discretion, would choose among various ownership options for the project following stabilization in accordance with the Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, on January 2, 2014, the Company caused certain of its affiliates to acquire the BCR Entities' interests in three stabilized projects, 8 Spruce Street, an apartment community in Manhattan, New York, DKLB BKLN, an apartment community in Brooklyn, New York, and East River Plaza, a specialty retail center in Manhattan, New York. In accordance with the purchase agreements, the applicable BCR Entities assigned and transferred their interests in the three projects to affiliates of the Company and received cash of $14,286,000, resulting in an increase in investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates. Prior to the transaction, the Company accounted for the three projects using the equity method of accounting and will continue to account for the projects as equity method investments as the partners continue to have joint control.
	As a result of the disposal of Quartermaster Plaza, a specialty retail center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the three months ended March 31, 2014 , the Company accrued $1,415,000 at March 31, 2014 related to a tax indemnity payment due to the BCR Entities, in accordance with the Agreement.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“accumulated OCI”):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$	189		$	189
	Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts (1)	115,216			125,059
		115,405			125,248
	Income tax benefit	(44,703		)	(48,517		)
	Noncontrolling interest	(140		)	(149		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$	70,562		$	76,582
	-1	Included in the amounts as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are $91,846 and $97,360, respectively, of unrealized loss on an interest rate swap associated with New York Times office building on its nonrecourse mortgage debt with a notional amount of $640,000. This swap effectively fixes the mortgage at an all-in lender interest rate of 6.40% and expires in September 2017.
	The following table summarizes the changes, net of tax and noncontrolling interest, of accumulated OCI by component:
		Securities			Foreign Currency Translation			Interest Rate Contracts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	—		$	(116	)	$	(76,466	)	$	(76,582	)
	OCI before reclassifications	—			—			3,283			3,283
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			2,737			2,737
	Total other comprehensive income	—			—			6,020			6,020
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	—		$	(116	)	$	(70,446	)	$	(70,562	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(226	)	$	—		$	(107,588	)	$	(107,814	)
	OCI before reclassifications	115			(116		)	5,054			5,053
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			627			627
	Total other comprehensive income	115			(116		)	5,681			5,680
	Balance, March 31, 2013	$	(111	)	$	(116	)	$	(101,907	)	$	(102,134	)
	The following table summarizes losses reclassified from accumulated OCI and their location on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
	Accumulated OCI Components	Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI				Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate contracts	$	797			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	3,666				Discontinued operations
	Interest rate contracts	15				Equity in earnings
		4,478				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(1,737		)		Income tax benefit
		(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	2,737			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Interest rate contracts	$	969			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	61				Equity in earnings
		1,030				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(399		)		Income tax benefit
		(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	627			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse [Abstract]	'
Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse	'
	Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse
	The following table summarizes the mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse maturities, including balances associated with development project held for sale ($228,000,000) and operating property held for sale ($74,621,000), as of March 31, 2014:
	Years Ending December 31,
		(in thousands)
	2014	$	721,320
	2015	435,221
	2016	113,012
	2017	1,022,492
	2018	331,217
	Thereafter	1,928,350
	Total	$	4,551,612

Revolving_Credit_Facility

Revolving Credit Facility	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Revolving Credit Facility	'
	The Company's Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Fourth Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment of Debt, as amended to the date hereof (collectively, the “Credit Facility”) provides total available borrowings of $500,000,000, subject to certain reserve commitments to be established, as applicable, on certain dates to be used to retire convertible senior debt that become due during the term of the amendment. The Credit Facility matures on February 21, 2016 and provides for one, 12-month extension option, subject to certain conditions. Borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.50%. Up to $100,000,000 of the available borrowings may be used, in the aggregate, for letters of credit and/or surety bonds. The Credit Facility has restrictive covenants, including a prohibition on certain consolidations and mergers, limitations on the amount of debt, guarantees and property liens and restrictions on the pledging of ownership interests in subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Facility permits the Company to repurchase up to $100,000,000 of Class A Common Stock and to declare or pay dividends in an amount not to exceed $24,000,000 in the aggregate in any four quarter period to Class A or B common shareholders, subject to certain conditions. Additionally, the Credit Facility contains development limitations and financial covenants, including the maintenance of minimum liquidity, debt yield, debt service and cash flow coverage ratios, and specified levels of shareholders’ equity (all as specified in the Credit Facility). At March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all of these financial covenants.
	The following table summarizes available credit on the Credit Facility:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Maximum borrowings	$	500,000	$	500,000
	Less outstanding balances:
	Borrowings	—		—
	Letters of credit	51,445		59,760
	Surety bonds	—		—
	Available credit	$	448,555	$	440,240

Convertible_Senior_Debt

Convertible Senior Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Convertible Senior Debt	'
	Convertible Senior Debt
	The following table summarizes the Company’s convertible senior debt:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	5.000% Notes due 2016	$	50,000	$	50,000
	4.250% Notes due 2018	350,000		350,000
	3.625% Notes due 2020	300,000		300,000
	Total Convertible Senior Debt	$	700,000	$	700,000
	As of March 31, 2014, all of the Company's outstanding senior notes are convertible into Class A common stock based on conversion prices ranging from $13.91 to $24.21 per Class A common share.
	All of the senior debt are unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with all existing and future unsecured indebtedness; however, they are effectively subordinated to the Credit Facility and all existing and future secured indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that other debt.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
	The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy incorporating the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned impact on earnings and cash flows that may be caused by interest rate volatility. The strategy includes the use of interest rate swaps and option contracts having indices related to the pricing of specific liabilities. The Company enters into interest rate swaps to convert floating-rate debt to fixed-rate long-term debt, and vice-versa, depending on market conditions, or forward starting swaps to hedge the changes in benchmark interest rates on forecasted financings. Interest rate swap agreements are generally for periods of one to ten years. Option products used are primarily interest rate caps for periods of one to three years. The use of option products is consistent with the Company’s risk management objective to reduce or eliminate exposure to variability in future cash flows primarily attributable to changes in benchmark rates relating to forecasted financings, and the variability in cash flows attributable to increases relating to interest payments on its floating-rate debt.
	Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
	The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage exposure to interest rate movements. The Company primarily uses interest rate caps and swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an upfront premium. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
	The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated OCI and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded $3,666,000 as an increase to interest expense related to ineffectiveness from a missed forecasted transaction arising from the early reclassification of OCI related to debt associated with an entity classified as discontinued operations. The amount of ineffectiveness charged to earnings was insignificant for the three months ended March 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, the Company expects that within the next twelve months it will reclassify amounts recorded in accumulated OCI into earnings as an increase in interest expense of approximately $24,740,000, net of tax. However, the actual amount reclassified could vary due to future changes in fair value of these derivatives.
	Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
	The Company and/or certain of its joint ventures (the “Joint Ventures”) enter into total rate of return swaps (“TRS”) on various tax-exempt fixed-rate borrowings. The TRS convert borrowings from a fixed rate to a variable rate. In exchange for a fixed rate, the TRS requires the payment of a variable interest rate, generally equivalent to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) rate (0.06% at March 31, 2014) plus a spread. Additionally, the Company and/or the Joint Ventures have guaranteed the fair value of the underlying borrowings. Fluctuation in the value of the TRS is offset by the fluctuation in the value of the underlying borrowings, resulting in minimal financial impact. At March 31, 2014, the aggregate notional amount of TRS that are designated as fair value hedging instruments is $358,755,000. The underlying TRS borrowings are subject to a fair value adjustment.
	Nondesignated Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
	The Company uses derivative contracts to economically hedge certain interest rate risk, even though the contracts do not qualify for, or the Company has elected not to apply, hedge accounting. In these situations, the derivative is recorded at its fair value with changes reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	In instances where the Company enters into separate derivative instruments effectively hedging the same debt for consecutive annual periods, the duplicate amount of notional is excluded from the following disclosure in an effort to provide information that enables the financial statement user to understand the Company’s volume of derivative activity. The following table presents the fair values and location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of all derivative instruments:
		Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
		March 31, 2014
		Asset Derivatives							Liability Derivatives
		(included in Other Assets)							(included in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities)
		Current			Fair Value				Current			Fair Value
		Notional							Notional
		(in thousands)
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	—		$	—			$	861,240		$	92,290
	TRS	130,970			4,252				227,785			7,767
	Total	$	130,970		$	4,252			$	1,089,025		$	100,057
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	247,164		$	94			$	—		$	—
	TRS	26,622			188				39,031			16,671
	Total	$	273,786		$	282			$	39,031		$	16,671
		December 31, 2013
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	—		$	—			$	961,359		$	97,858
	TRS	18,970			903				339,785			9,772
	Total	$	18,970		$	903			$	1,301,144		$	107,630
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	447,532		$	155			$	—		$	—
	TRS	—			—				39,052			15,477
	Total	$	447,532		$	155			$	39,052		$	15,477
	The following table presents the impact of gains and losses related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges included in the accumulated OCI section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in equity in earnings and interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
						Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
						Accumulated OCI
	Derivatives Designated as	Gain (Loss)				Location on Consolidated Statements	Effective			Ineffective
	Cash Flow Hedging Instruments	Recognized				of Operations	Amount			Amount
		in OCI
		(Effective Portion)
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate swaps	$	5,365			Interest expense	$	(797	)	$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—				Discontinued operations	—			(3,666		)
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(15		)	—
	Total	$	5,365				$	(812	)	$	(3,666	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	8,256			Interest expense	$	(969	)	$	—
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(64		)	3
	Total	$	8,256				$	(1,033	)	$	3
	The following table presents the impact of gains and losses related to derivatives instruments not designated as cash flow hedges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		Net Gain (Loss) Recognized
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
	TRS (1)	$	5,354		$	(153	)
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	(57	)	$	(239	)
	TRS	(1,006		)	570
	Total	$	(1,063	)	$	331
-1	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TRS borrowings was $(5,354) and $153 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, offsetting the gain (loss) recognized on the TRS.
Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
The principal credit risk of the Company's interest rate risk management strategy is the potential inability of a counterparty to cover its obligations. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its obligation, the risk of loss approximates the fair value of the derivative. To mitigate this exposure, the Company generally purchases derivative financial instruments from the financial institution that issues the related debt, from financial institutions with which the Company has other lending relationships, or from financial institutions with a minimum credit rating of AA at the time of the transaction.
The Company has agreements with derivative counterparties containing provisions under which the counterparty could terminate the derivative obligations if the Company defaults on its obligations under the Credit Facility and designated conditions are fulfilled. In instances where the Company’s subsidiaries have derivative obligations secured by a mortgage, the derivative obligations could be terminated if the indebtedness between the two parties is terminated, either by loan payoff or default of the indebtedness. In addition, the Company has certain derivative contracts which provide that if the Company’s credit rating falls below certain levels, it may trigger additional collateral to be posted with the counterparty up to the full amount of the liability position of the derivative contracts. Also, certain subsidiaries have agreements containing provisions whereby the subsidiaries must maintain certain minimum financial ratios.
As of March 31, 2014, the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments in a liability position, prior to the adjustment for nonperformance risk of $5,700,000, is $122,428,000. The Company has posted collateral consisting primarily of cash and notes receivable of $73,516,000 related to all derivative instruments. If all credit-risk related contingent features underlying these agreements had been triggered on March 31, 2014, the Company would have been required to post collateral of the full amount of the liability position.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
	The Company’s financial assets consist of interest rate caps, interest rate swap agreements and TRS with positive fair values included in other assets. The Company’s financial liabilities consist of interest rate swap agreements and TRS with negative fair values included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and borrowings subject to TRS included in mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse (see Note E – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities).
	The Company records the redeemable noncontrolling interest related to Brooklyn Arena, LLC at redemption value, which approximates fair value. In the event the book value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest, which represents initial cost, adjusted for contributions, distributions and the allocation of profits or losses, is in excess of estimated fair value, the Company records the redeemable noncontrolling interest at book value.
	As of December 31, 2013, the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest was incorrectly recorded and presented at less than the book value. Management has evaluated the impact of the error and determined that the previously issued financial statements were not materially misstated. Additionally, management determined the impact of correcting the presentation of the redeemable noncontrolling interest in the current period is not material to the current period financial statements. Accordingly, at March 31, 2014, the Company corrected the carrying values of the redeemable noncontrolling interest by recording an adjustment of $28,393,000 . Such amount should have been reflected at December 31, 2013.
	The following table presents information about financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interest that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value:
		Fair Value Measurements
		March 31, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	94		$	—		$	94
	Interest rate swap agreements (liabilities)	—			(445		)	(91,845		)	(92,290		)
	TRS (assets)	—			—			4,440			4,440
	TRS (liabilities)	—			—			(24,438		)	(24,438		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	—			—			3,515			3,515
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(197,040		)	(197,040		)
	Total	$	—		$	(351	)	$	(305,368	)	$	(305,719	)
		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	155		$	—		$	155
	Interest rate swap agreements (liabilities)	—			(498		)	(97,360		)	(97,858		)
	TRS (assets)	—			—			903			903
	TRS (liabilities)	—			—			(25,249		)	(25,249		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	—			—			8,869			8,869
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			(171,743		)	(171,743		)
	Total	$	—		$	(343	)	$	(284,580	)	$	(284,923	)
	-1	As of March 31, 2014, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at book value. The estimated fair value at March 31, 2014 is $153,407.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of all financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interest measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
		Fair Value Measurements
		Redeemable				Interest Rate				Net			Fair value			Total TRS			Total
		Noncontrolling				Swaps				TRS			adjustment			Related
		Interest											to the borrowings
													subject to TRS
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(171,743	)		$	(97,360	)		$	(24,346	)	$	8,869		$	(15,477	)	$	(284,580	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	3,093				—				—			—			—			3,093
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				4,348			(5,354		)	(1,006		)	(1,006		)
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				5,515				—			—			—			5,515
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(28,390		)		—				—			—			—			(28,390		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	(197,040	)		$	(91,845	)		$	(19,998	)	$	3,515		$	(16,483	)	$	(305,368	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(240,790	)		$	(131,634	)		$	(6,108	)	$	9,890		$	3,782		$	(368,642	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	5,568				—				—			—			—			5,568
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				417			153			570			570
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				6,128				—			—			—			6,128
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(3,914		)		—				—			—			—			(3,914		)
	Balance, March 31, 2013	$	(239,136	)		$	(125,506	)		$	(5,691	)	$	10,043		$	4,352		$	(360,290	)
	The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value March 31, 2014			Valuation	Unobservable	Input Values
					Technique	Input
		(in thousands)
	Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	$	5,835		Potential future exposure	Credit spread	4.00%
	TRS	$	(19,998	)	Bond quote	Discount rate	N/A(1)
						Capitalization rate	N/A(1)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	$	3,515		Bond quote	Discount rate	N/A(1)
						Capitalization rate	N/A(1)
	-1	The Company does not have access to certain significant unobservable inputs used by these third parties to determine these fair values.
	Third party service providers involved in fair value measurements are evaluated for competency and qualifications. Fair value measurements, including unobservable inputs, are evaluated based on current transactions and experience in the real estate and capital markets.
	The impact of changes in unobservable inputs used to determine the fair market value of the credit valuation adjustment, TRS and fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS are not deemed to be significant. Changes in the discount rate used to determine the fair market value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest could have a significant impact on its fair market value.
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of notes and accounts receivable, excluding the Stapleton advances, and accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities approximates fair value based upon the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying amount of the Stapleton advances approximates fair value since the interest rates on these advances approximates current market rates. The Company estimates the fair value of its debt instruments by discounting future cash payments at interest rates that the Company believes approximate the current market. Estimated fair value is based upon market prices of public debt, available industry financing data, current treasury rates, recent financing transactions and loan to value ratios. The fair value of the Company’s debt instruments is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
The following table summarizes the fair value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (exclusive of the fair value of derivatives), revolving credit facility, convertible senior debt and nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable of development project held for sale and operating property held for sale:
	March 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Fixed Rate Debt	$	3,327,865		$	3,611,625			$	3,281,337		$	3,488,406
Variable Rate Debt	1,923,747			1,888,815				1,998,169			1,954,136
Total	$	5,251,612		$	5,500,440			$	5,279,506		$	5,442,542
Impairment of real estate and unconsolidated entities is also subject to fair value measurements (see Note J – Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities and Note M – Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties).

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock	'
	Capital Stock
	The Company’s Amended Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of preferred stock shares. The Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A preferred stock") ranked junior to all of the Company’s existing and future debt obligations, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities; senior to the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock and any future equity securities that by their terms rank junior to the Series A preferred stock with respect to distribution rights or payments upon the Company’s liquidation, winding-up or dissolution; equal with future series of preferred stock or other equity securities that by their terms are on a parity with the Series A preferred stock; and junior to any future equity securities that by their terms rank senior to the Series A preferred stock.
	Holders were able to convert the Series A preferred stock, at their option, into shares of Class A common stock at any time. Upon conversion, the holder would receive approximately 3.3 shares of Class A common stock per $50 liquidation preference of Series A preferred stock, based on an initial conversion price of $15.12 per share of Class A common stock, subject to adjustment. The Company was able to elect to mandatorily convert some or all of the Series A preferred stock if the Daily Volume Weighted Average Price of its Class A common stock equaled or exceeded 150% of the initial conversion price then in effect for at least 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days. If the Company elected to mandatorily convert some or all of the Series A preferred stock, the Company was required to make a dividend make-whole payment on the Series A preferred stock equal to the total value of the aggregate amount of dividends that would have accrued and become payable from March 2010 to March 2013, less any dividends already paid on the Series A preferred stock.
	From January 31, 2013 to March 14, 2013, 109,768 shares of Series A preferred stock were converted by holders into 362,990 shares of Class A common stock in accordance with the original terms of the Series A preferred stock. On March 15, 2013, the Company redeemed the remaining 101,270 shares of Series A preferred stock for approximately $5,100,000, the aggregate amount of liquidation preference plus the dividend that was due and payable on March 15, 2013.
	On March 13, 2013, the Company and the counterparties settled an equity call hedge transaction that was entered into in connection with the original issuance of the Series A preferred stock. As a result, the Company received 765,134 shares of Class A common stock valued at $16.82 per share for a total of $12,868,000 and cash payments of $10,231,000. In accordance with accounting guidance on equity hedge transactions, amounts received upon settlement of equity call hedge transactions in which the Company has the choice of net share settlement or net cash settlement are reflected as an increase to additional paid-in capital.
	The Company declared and paid Series A preferred stock dividends of $185,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company's 1994 Stock Plan, as amended to the date hereof (the "Plan") permits the award of Class A stock options, restricted stock, performance shares and other equity awards to key employees and nonemployee directors of the Company. Substantially all of the awards are made annually within 90 days of the Company's year-end, which changed to December 31 from January 31, effective as of December 31, 2013. As a result, the annual grant for 2014 occurred in March 2014 and is included in the financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The annual grant for 2013 occurred in April 2013 and is not included in the results for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted 233,914 stock options, 601,822 shares of restricted stock and 309,750 performance shares under the Plan. The stock options had a grant-date fair value of $11.60, which was computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions: expected term of 5.5 years, expected volatility of 71.5%, risk-free interest rate of 1.91%, and expected dividend yield of 0%. The exercise price of the options is $18.73, the closing price of the underlying Class A common stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock had a grant-date fair value of $18.73 per share, the closing price of the Class A common stock on the date of grant. The performance shares had a grant-date fair value of $18.23 per share, which was computed using a Monte Carlo simulation.
	At March 31, 2014, $4,973,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.79 years, $25,391,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.96 years, and $11,770,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to performance shares is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.97 years.
	The amount of stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock option costs	$	1,456		$	591
	Restricted stock costs	3,724			2,721
	Performance share costs	851			339
	Total stock-based compensation costs	6,031			3,651
	Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	(2,065		)	(1,433		)
	Amount charged to operating expenses	3,966			2,218
	Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	258			224
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	4,224		$	2,442
	Deferred income tax benefit	$	1,566		$	880
	The amount of grant-date fair value expensed immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible grantees during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $1,358,000 and $0, respectively.
	In connection with the vesting of restricted stock during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased 5,483 shares and 11,793 shares, respectively, of Class A common stock to satisfy the employees’ related minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. These shares were placed in treasury with an aggregate cost basis of $100,000 and $201,000, respectively.

WriteOff_of_Abandoned_Developm

Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects [Abstract]	'
Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects [Text Block]	'
	Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects
	On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews each project under development to determine whether it is probable that the project will be developed. If management determines that the project will not be developed, project costs and other expenses related to the project are written off and expensed as an abandoned development project cost. The Company abandons projects under development for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, changes in local market conditions, increases in construction or financing costs or third party challenges related to entitlements or public financing. The Company wrote off abandoned development projects of $0 and $12,896,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]	'
Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities	'
	Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities
	Impairment of Real Estate
	The Company reviews its real estate portfolio, including land inventory, for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. In order to determine whether the carrying costs are recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the Company uses various assumptions that include future net operating income, estimated holding periods, risk of foreclosure and estimated cash proceeds received upon the disposition of the asset. If the carrying costs are not recoverable, the Company records an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value to estimated fair value. The assumptions used to estimate fair value are Level 2 or 3 inputs. The Company’s assumptions are based on current information. If the conditions deteriorate or if the Company’s plans regarding its assets change, additional impairment charges may occur in the future. There were no impairments recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities
	The Company reviews its portfolio of unconsolidated entities for other-than-temporary impairments whenever events or changes indicate its carrying value in the investments may be in excess of fair value. An equity method investment’s value is impaired if management’s estimate of its fair value is less than the carrying value and the difference is deemed to be other-than-temporary. In estimating fair value, the Company uses varying assumptions that may include comparable sale prices, market discount rates, market capitalization rates and estimated future discounted cash flows specific to the geographic region and property type, all of which are considered Level 3 inputs. For recently opened properties, assumptions also include the timing of initial property lease up. In the event initial property lease up assumptions differ from actual results, estimated future discounted cash flows may vary, resulting in impairment charges in future periods. There were no impairments of unconsolidated entities recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Net_Gain_on_Land_Held_for_Dive

Net Gain on Land Held for Divestiture Activity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Land Held for Divestiture disclosures [Abstract]	'
Land Held for Divestiture	'
	Net Gain on Land Held for Divestiture Activity
	On January 31, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a strategic decision by senior management to reposition portions of the Company's Land Development Group and focus on core rental properties in core markets.
	The Company disposed of the land held for divestiture through December 31, 2013 and recorded the activity for fully consolidated land projects and those accounted for on the equity method of accounting on separate financial statement line items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The following table summarizes the net gain on land held for divestiture activity of consolidated entities:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sales of land held for divestiture	$	10,722
	Cost of sales of land held for divestiture	(1,681		)
	Gain on extinguishment of debt of land held for divestiture	2,146
	Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	$	11,187
	The Company also had investments held in unconsolidated entities and recorded a net gain on land held for divestiture activity of unconsolidated entities of $1,829,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $3,931,000 and $(8,665,000), respectively. The difference in recorded income tax expense/benefit versus income tax expense/benefit computed at the statutory federal income tax rate is primarily attributable to state income taxes, changes in state net operating losses, additional general business credits, changes to valuation allowances associated with certain deferred tax assets, and various permanent differences between pre-tax GAAP income and taxable income.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes of $150,758,000 expiring in the years ending December 31, 2028 through 2033, a charitable contribution deduction carryforward of $18,125,000 expiring in the years ending December 31, 2014 through 2017, general business credit carryovers of $21,680,000 expiring in the years ending December 31, 2018 through 2033, and an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit carryforward of $28,570,000 available until used to reduce federal tax to the AMT amount.
	The Company considers a variety of tax-deferral strategies, including tax deferred exchanges, when evaluating its future tax position. The Company has a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset associated with its charitable contributions. The Company has a valuation allowance against its general business credits, other than those general business credits which are eligible to be utilized to reduce future AMT liabilities. The Company has a valuation allowance against certain of its state net operating losses and state bonus depreciation deferred assets. These valuation allowances exist because management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize these benefits.
	The Company applies the “with-and-without” methodology for recognizing excess tax benefits from the deduction of stock-based compensation. The net operating loss available for the tax return, as is noted in the paragraph above, is greater than the net operating loss available for the tax provision due to excess deductions from stock-based compensation reported on the return, as well as the impact of adjustments to the net operating loss under accounting guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has not recorded a net deferred tax asset of approximately $18,064,000 from excess stock-based compensation deductions taken on the tax return for which a benefit has not yet been recognized in the Company’s tax provision.

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties	'
	Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties
	The following table summarizes the rental properties included in discontinued operations:
	Property	Location	Square Feet/ Number of Units	Period Disposed	Three Months Ended 3/31/14	Three Months Ended 3/31/13
	Commercial Group:
	Promenade Bolingbrook	Bolingbrook, Illinois	771,000 square feet	Q2-2014	Yes	Yes
	Quartermaster Plaza	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	456,000 square feet	Q1-2014	Yes	Yes
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	Albuquerque, New Mexico	87,000 square feet	Q1-2014	Yes	Yes
	Orchard Town Center	Westminster, Colorado	603,000 square feet	Q4-2013	—	Yes
	Colorado Studios	Denver, Colorado	75,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	Yes
	Higbee Building	Cleveland, Ohio	815,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	Yes
	Sheraton Station Square	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	399 rooms	Q3-2013	—	Yes
	Two triple net lease properties	Various	138,000 square feet	Various (1)	—	Yes
	Residential Group:
	Millender Center	Detroit, Michigan	339 units	Q1-2013	—	Yes
	-1	Includes one triple net lease property disposed of during Q4-2013 and one triple net lease property disposed of during Q1-2013.
	The Company considers assets held for sale when the transaction has been approved by management and there are no significant contingencies related to the sale that may prevent the transaction from closing. At March 31, 2014, the Company had one property that met the criteria to be classified as held for sale. The assets and liabilities of Promenade Bolingbrook, a regional mall in Bolingbrook, Illinois, which was sold in April 2014, are presented in the table below.
		March 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Real estate, net	$	69,973
	Other assets	8,375
	Total Assets	$	78,348
	Liabilities
	Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	$	74,621
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	6,873
	Total Liabilities	$	81,494
	The following table summarizes the operating results related to discontinued operations:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues from real estate operations	$	6,995		$	25,237
	Expenses
	Operating expenses	4,775			15,925
	Depreciation and amortization	987			4,313
		5,762			20,238
	Interest expense	(5,483		)	(3,990		)
	Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(41		)	(181		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	(17		)	(40		)
	Interest income	—			114
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	26,824			21,471
	Earnings before income taxes	22,516			22,373
	Income tax expense	10,644			6,640
	Earnings from discontinued operations	11,872			15,733
	Noncontrolling interest
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	58			5,835
	Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	(8		)	16
		50			5,851
	Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	11,822		$	9,882
	The following table summarizes the pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Quartermaster Plaza (Specialty Retail Center)	$	26,373		$	—
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE (Office Building)	451			—
	Millender Center (Apartment Community)	—			21,660
	Other	—			(189		)
		$	26,824		$	21,471
	Gain on Disposition of Unconsolidated Entities
	Upon disposition, investments accounted for on the equity method are not classified as discontinued operations; therefore, gains or losses on the disposition of these properties are reported in continuing operations. The following table summarizes gains on the disposition of unconsolidated entities, which are included in equity in earnings:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Apartment Communities:
Westwood Reserve	Tampa, Florida	$	8,904		$	—
Legacy Crossroads	Cary, North Carolina	6,216			—
Colonial Grand	Tampa, Florida	4,904			—
Legacy Arboretum	Charlotte, North Carolina	3,257			—
Barrington Place	Raleigh, North Carolina	1,515			—
		$	24,796		$	—

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	The Company’s restricted stock is considered a participating security pursuant to the two-class method for computing basic earnings per share (“EPS”). The Class A Common Units, which are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are considered convertible participating securities as they are entitled to participate in any dividends paid to the Company’s common shareholders. The Class A Common Units are included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method and are included in the computation of diluted EPS using the if-converted method. The Class A common stock issuable in connection with a put or conversion of the 2014 Senior Notes, 2016 Senior Notes, 2018 Senior Notes, 2020 Senior Notes and Series A preferred stock is included in the computation of diluted EPS using the if-converted method. The loss from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was allocated solely to holders of common stock as the participating security holders do not share in the losses.
	The reconciliation of the basic and diluted EPS computations is shown in the following table:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Numerators (in thousands)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	3,698		$	(29,473	)
	Preferred dividends	—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(106		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	3,592		$	(29,658	)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	106			—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	3,698		$	(29,658	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	15,520		$	(19,591	)
	Preferred dividends	—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(444		)	—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	15,076		$	(19,776	)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	444			—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	15,520		$	(19,776	)
	Denominators
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Basic	197,739,076			183,809,227
	Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	1,926,005			—
	Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	3,646,755			—
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Diluted (1)	203,311,836			183,809,227
	Earnings Per Share
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	0.02		$	(0.16	)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	0.02		$	(0.16	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	0.08		$	(0.11	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	0.08		$	(0.11	)
	-1	Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt of 32,138,215 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Incremental shares from dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities aggregating 39,154,047 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares of 3,195,616 and 3,646,870 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The following tables summarize financial data for the Company's reportable operating segments. All amounts in the following tables are presented in thousands.
		March 31, 2014			31-Dec-13
		Identifiable Assets
	Commercial Group	$	5,013,718		$	5,120,360
	Residential Group	2,560,391			2,468,708
	Arena	975,862			984,937
	Land Development Group	268,799			260,070
	Corporate Activities	128,038			117,950
		$	8,946,808		$	8,952,025
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		Revenues						Operating Expenses
	Commercial Group	$	130,085		$	172,881		$	81,548		$	99,581
	Residential Group	67,319			63,331			45,669			47,527
	Arena	35,357			24,140			23,476			18,412
	Land Development Group	18,426			9,614			8,849			7,688
	Corporate Activities	—			—			11,561			11,059
		$	251,187		$	269,966		$	171,103		$	184,267
		Depreciation and Amortization						Interest Expense
	Commercial Group	$	30,259		$	41,685		$	34,566		$	50,212
	Residential Group	15,396			16,531			9,185			6,607
	Arena	8,532			8,373			9,557			8,882
	Land Development Group	86			326			(138		)	(271		)
	Corporate Activities	736			889			9,282			16,053
		$	55,009		$	67,804		$	62,452		$	81,483
		Interest and Other Income						Capital Expenditures
	Commercial Group	$	1,784		$	1,924		$	30,997		$	58,872
	Residential Group	4,795			5,954			73,791			40,424
	Arena	—			—			5,937			15,020
	Land Development Group	3,245			2,722			16			707
	Corporate Activities	29			50			—			223
		$	9,853		$	10,650		$	110,741		$	115,246
	The Company uses Funds From Operations (“FFO”) to report its operating results. FFO is a non-GAAP measure as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) and is a measure of performance used by publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs"). Although the Company is not a REIT, management believes it is important to publish this measure to allow for easier comparison of its performance to its peers. FFO is defined by NAREIT as net earnings excluding the following items at the Company’s proportional share: i) gain (loss) on disposition of rental properties, divisions and other investments (net of tax); ii) non-cash charges for real estate depreciation and amortization; iii) impairment of depreciable real estate (net of tax); iv) extraordinary items (net of tax); and v) cumulative or retrospective effect of change in accounting principle (net of tax).
	The Company believes that, although its business has many facets such as development, acquisitions, disposals, and property management, the core of its business is the recurring operations of its portfolio of real estate assets. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the chief operating decision maker, uses FFO, as presented, to assess performance of the Company's real estate assets by reportable operating segment because it provides information on the financial performance of the core real estate portfolio operations. FFO measures the profitability of a real estate segment’s operations of collecting rent, paying operating expenses and servicing its debt.
	The reconciliations of net earnings (loss) to FFO by segment are shown in the following tables. All amounts are presented in thousands.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	12,330		$	32,167		$	(3,292	)	$	11,593		$	(37,278	)	$	15,520
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	42,709			22,337			4,941			33			—			70,020
	Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	467			—			—			—			—			467
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	—			(24,796		)	—			—			—			(24,796		)
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	986			—			—			—			—			986
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(26,766		)	—			—			—			—			(26,766		)
	Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			19,898			19,898
	FFO	$	29,726		$	29,708		$	1,649		$	11,626		$	(17,380	)	$	55,329
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$	(23,958	)	$	16,196		$	(6,286	)	$	21,392		$	(27,120	)	$	(19,776	)
	Preferred dividends	—			—			—			—			185			185
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(23,958	)	$	16,196		$	(6,286	)	$	21,392		$	(26,935	)	$	(19,591	)
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	50,694			24,489			4,892			232			—			80,307
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	4,158			139			—			—			—			4,297
	(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	189			(15,825		)	—			—			—			(15,636		)
	Income tax expense on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			6,121			6,121
	FFO	$	31,083		$	24,999		$	(1,394	)	$	21,624		$	(20,814	)	$	55,498

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Change in Year-End	'
	Change in Year-End
	The Board of Directors of the Company approved a change to the Company's fiscal year-end to December 31 from January 31, effective December 31, 2013 (the "Year-end change"). As a result, the financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 have been presented to allow for comparison between periods. The Company believes the Year-end change was important and useful to its financial statement users to allow for increased comparability of its performance to its peers.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KT for the 11 months ended December 31, 2013, as amended on Form 10-KT/A on March 26, 2014. The results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any subsequent period. In management's opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. Some of the critical estimates include, but are not limited to, determination of the primary beneficiary of variable interest entities (“VIEs”), estimates of useful lives for long-lived assets, reserves for collection on accounts and notes receivable and other investments, the fair value estimate of redeemable noncontrolling interest, impairment of real estate and other-than-temporary impairments on equity method investments. As a result of the nature of estimates, actual results could differ.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded revenues and operating expenses relating to the Arena segment on "Arena revenues" and "Arena operating expenses" financial statement line items on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Accordingly, comparable amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2013 have been reclassified. In addition, The Nets operating segment information as of December 31, 2013 and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 has been reclassified and aggregated with the Corporate Activities operating segment disclosures to conform to the current year presentation. Certain other prior year amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company determined it was the primary beneficiary of 30 VIEs representing 23 properties, which are consolidated. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company’s general credit. As of March 31, 2014, the Company owns variable interests in 61 VIEs for which it is not the primary beneficiary, which are accounted for as equity method investments. The maximum exposure to loss as a result of the ownership of these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to the Company’s applicable investment balances, which approximates $61,000,000 at March 31, 2014.
New Accounting Guidance	'
	New Accounting Guidance
	The following accounting pronouncement was adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance, which clarifies whether the unrecognized tax benefit should be recorded as a liability or reduction of the related deferred tax asset, is effective for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2014 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	The following new accounting pronouncement will be adopted on its respective effective date:
	In April 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. This guidance changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim reporting periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted.
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
	The carrying amount of notes and accounts receivable, excluding the Stapleton advances, and accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities approximates fair value based upon the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying amount of the Stapleton advances approximates fair value since the interest rates on these advances approximates current market rates. The Company estimates the fair value of its debt instruments by discounting future cash payments at interest rates that the Company believes approximate the current market. Estimated fair value is based upon market prices of public debt, available industry financing data, current treasury rates, recent financing transactions and loan to value ratios. The fair value of the Company’s debt instruments is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Accounting_Policies_Tables

Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“accumulated OCI”):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$	189		$	189
	Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts (1)	115,216			125,059
		115,405			125,248
	Income tax benefit	(44,703		)	(48,517		)
	Noncontrolling interest	(140		)	(149		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$	70,562		$	76,582
	-1	Included in the amounts as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are $91,846 and $97,360, respectively, of unrealized loss on an interest rate swap associated with New York Times office building on its nonrecourse mortgage debt with a notional amount of $640,000. This swap effectively fixes the mortgage at an all-in lender interest rate of 6.40% and expires in September 2017.
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	The following table summarizes the changes, net of tax and noncontrolling interest, of accumulated OCI by component:
		Securities			Foreign Currency Translation			Interest Rate Contracts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	—		$	(116	)	$	(76,466	)	$	(76,582	)
	OCI before reclassifications	—			—			3,283			3,283
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			2,737			2,737
	Total other comprehensive income	—			—			6,020			6,020
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	—		$	(116	)	$	(70,446	)	$	(70,562	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(226	)	$	—		$	(107,588	)	$	(107,814	)
	OCI before reclassifications	115			(116		)	5,054			5,053
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			627			627
	Total other comprehensive income	115			(116		)	5,681			5,680
	Balance, March 31, 2013	$	(111	)	$	(116	)	$	(101,907	)	$	(102,134	)
Losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	The following table summarizes losses reclassified from accumulated OCI and their location on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
	Accumulated OCI Components	Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI				Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate contracts	$	797			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	3,666				Discontinued operations
	Interest rate contracts	15				Equity in earnings
		4,478				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(1,737		)		Income tax benefit
		(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	2,737			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Interest rate contracts	$	969			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	61				Equity in earnings
		1,030				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(399		)		Income tax benefit
		(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	627			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl1

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse [Abstract]	'
Composition of mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse maturities	'
	The following table summarizes the mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse maturities, including balances associated with development project held for sale ($228,000,000) and operating property held for sale ($74,621,000), as of March 31, 2014:
	Years Ending December 31,
		(in thousands)
	2014	$	721,320
	2015	435,221
	2016	113,012
	2017	1,022,492
	2018	331,217
	Thereafter	1,928,350
	Total	$	4,551,612

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Tabl

Revolving Credit Facility (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Available credit on the revolving credit facility	'
	The following table summarizes available credit on the Credit Facility:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Maximum borrowings	$	500,000	$	500,000
	Less outstanding balances:
	Borrowings	—		—
	Letters of credit	51,445		59,760
	Surety bonds	—		—
	Available credit	$	448,555	$	440,240

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Tables

Convertible Senior Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Convertible Senior Debt	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s convertible senior debt:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	5.000% Notes due 2016	$	50,000	$	50,000
	4.250% Notes due 2018	350,000		350,000
	3.625% Notes due 2020	300,000		300,000
	Total Convertible Senior Debt	$	700,000	$	700,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'
	The following table presents the fair values and location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of all derivative instruments:
		Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
		March 31, 2014
		Asset Derivatives							Liability Derivatives
		(included in Other Assets)							(included in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities)
		Current			Fair Value				Current			Fair Value
		Notional							Notional
		(in thousands)
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	—		$	—			$	861,240		$	92,290
	TRS	130,970			4,252				227,785			7,767
	Total	$	130,970		$	4,252			$	1,089,025		$	100,057
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	247,164		$	94			$	—		$	—
	TRS	26,622			188				39,031			16,671
	Total	$	273,786		$	282			$	39,031		$	16,671
		December 31, 2013
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	—		$	—			$	961,359		$	97,858
	TRS	18,970			903				339,785			9,772
	Total	$	18,970		$	903			$	1,301,144		$	107,630
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	447,532		$	155			$	—		$	—
	TRS	—			—				39,052			15,477
	Total	$	447,532		$	155			$	39,052		$	15,477
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance and Financial Position	'
	The following table presents the impact of gains and losses related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges included in the accumulated OCI section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in equity in earnings and interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
						Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
						Accumulated OCI
	Derivatives Designated as	Gain (Loss)				Location on Consolidated Statements	Effective			Ineffective
	Cash Flow Hedging Instruments	Recognized				of Operations	Amount			Amount
		in OCI
		(Effective Portion)
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate swaps	$	5,365			Interest expense	$	(797	)	$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—				Discontinued operations	—			(3,666		)
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(15		)	—
	Total	$	5,365				$	(812	)	$	(3,666	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	8,256			Interest expense	$	(969	)	$	—
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(64		)	3
	Total	$	8,256				$	(1,033	)	$	3
Impact of Gains (Losses) Related to Derivative Instruments	'
	The following table presents the impact of gains and losses related to derivatives instruments not designated as cash flow hedges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		Net Gain (Loss) Recognized
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
	TRS (1)	$	5,354		$	(153	)
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	(57	)	$	(239	)
	TRS	(1,006		)	570
	Total	$	(1,063	)	$	331
	-1	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TRS borrowings was $(5,354) and $153 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, offsetting the gain (loss) recognized on the TRS.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Measured on a Recurring Basis	'
	The following table presents information about financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interest that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value:
		Fair Value Measurements
		March 31, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	94		$	—		$	94
	Interest rate swap agreements (liabilities)	—			(445		)	(91,845		)	(92,290		)
	TRS (assets)	—			—			4,440			4,440
	TRS (liabilities)	—			—			(24,438		)	(24,438		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	—			—			3,515			3,515
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(197,040		)	(197,040		)
	Total	$	—		$	(351	)	$	(305,368	)	$	(305,719	)
		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	155		$	—		$	155
	Interest rate swap agreements (liabilities)	—			(498		)	(97,360		)	(97,858		)
	TRS (assets)	—			—			903			903
	TRS (liabilities)	—			—			(25,249		)	(25,249		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	—			—			8,869			8,869
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			(171,743		)	(171,743		)
	Total	$	—		$	(343	)	$	(284,580	)	$	(284,923	)
	-1	As of March 31, 2014, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at book value. The estimated fair value at March 31, 2014 is $153,407.
Reconciliation of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs	'
	The following table presents a reconciliation of all financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interest measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
		Fair Value Measurements
		Redeemable				Interest Rate				Net			Fair value			Total TRS			Total
		Noncontrolling				Swaps				TRS			adjustment			Related
		Interest											to the borrowings
													subject to TRS
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(171,743	)		$	(97,360	)		$	(24,346	)	$	8,869		$	(15,477	)	$	(284,580	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	3,093				—				—			—			—			3,093
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				4,348			(5,354		)	(1,006		)	(1,006		)
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				5,515				—			—			—			5,515
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(28,390		)		—				—			—			—			(28,390		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	(197,040	)		$	(91,845	)		$	(19,998	)	$	3,515		$	(16,483	)	$	(305,368	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(240,790	)		$	(131,634	)		$	(6,108	)	$	9,890		$	3,782		$	(368,642	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	5,568				—				—			—			—			5,568
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				417			153			570			570
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				6,128				—			—			—			6,128
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(3,914		)		—				—			—			—			(3,914		)
	Balance, March 31, 2013	$	(239,136	)		$	(125,506	)		$	(5,691	)	$	10,043		$	4,352		$	(360,290	)
Significant Unobservable Inputs Used to Estimate Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value March 31, 2014			Valuation	Unobservable	Input Values
					Technique	Input
		(in thousands)
	Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	$	5,835		Potential future exposure	Credit spread	4.00%
	TRS	$	(19,998	)	Bond quote	Discount rate	N/A(1)
						Capitalization rate	N/A(1)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	$	3,515		Bond quote	Discount rate	N/A(1)
						Capitalization rate	N/A(1)
	-1	The Company does not have access to certain significant unobservable inputs used by these third parties to determine these fair values.
Schedule of Fair Value of Nonrecourse Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Bank Revolving Credit Facility and Convertible Senior Debt	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (exclusive of the fair value of derivatives), revolving credit facility, convertible senior debt and nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable of development project held for sale and operating property held for sale:
		March 31, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Fixed Rate Debt	$	3,327,865		$	3,611,625			$	3,281,337		$	3,488,406
	Variable Rate Debt	1,923,747			1,888,815				1,998,169			1,954,136
	Total	$	5,251,612		$	5,500,440			$	5,279,506		$	5,442,542

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Amount of Stock-Based Compensation Costs and Related Deferred Income Tax Benefit Recognized in the Financial Statements	'
	The amount of stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock option costs	$	1,456		$	591
	Restricted stock costs	3,724			2,721
	Performance share costs	851			339
	Total stock-based compensation costs	6,031			3,651
	Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	(2,065		)	(1,433		)
	Amount charged to operating expenses	3,966			2,218
	Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	258			224
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	4,224		$	2,442
	Deferred income tax benefit	$	1,566		$	880

Recovered_Sheet1

Net Gain on Land held for Divestiture Activity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Land Held for Divestiture disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Land Held for Divestiture Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the net gain on land held for divestiture activity of consolidated entities:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sales of land held for divestiture	$	10,722
	Cost of sales of land held for divestiture	(1,681		)
	Gain on extinguishment of debt of land held for divestiture	2,146
	Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	$	11,187

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga1

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Summary of Rental Properties Included in Discontinued Operations	'
	The following table summarizes the rental properties included in discontinued operations:
	Property	Location	Square Feet/ Number of Units	Period Disposed	Three Months Ended 3/31/14	Three Months Ended 3/31/13
	Commercial Group:
	Promenade Bolingbrook	Bolingbrook, Illinois	771,000 square feet	Q2-2014	Yes	Yes
	Quartermaster Plaza	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	456,000 square feet	Q1-2014	Yes	Yes
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	Albuquerque, New Mexico	87,000 square feet	Q1-2014	Yes	Yes
	Orchard Town Center	Westminster, Colorado	603,000 square feet	Q4-2013	—	Yes
	Colorado Studios	Denver, Colorado	75,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	Yes
	Higbee Building	Cleveland, Ohio	815,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	Yes
	Sheraton Station Square	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	399 rooms	Q3-2013	—	Yes
	Two triple net lease properties	Various	138,000 square feet	Various (1)	—	Yes
	Residential Group:
	Millender Center	Detroit, Michigan	339 units	Q1-2013	—	Yes
	-1	Includes one triple net lease property disposed of during Q4-2013 and one triple net lease property disposed of during Q1-2013.
Summary of Operating Results of Discontinued Operations	'
	The assets and liabilities of Promenade Bolingbrook, a regional mall in Bolingbrook, Illinois, which was sold in April 2014, are presented in the table below.
		March 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Real estate, net	$	69,973
	Other assets	8,375
	Total Assets	$	78,348
	Liabilities
	Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	$	74,621
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	6,873
	Total Liabilities	$	81,494
	The following table summarizes the operating results related to discontinued operations:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues from real estate operations	$	6,995		$	25,237
	Expenses
	Operating expenses	4,775			15,925
	Depreciation and amortization	987			4,313
		5,762			20,238
	Interest expense	(5,483		)	(3,990		)
	Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(41		)	(181		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	(17		)	(40		)
	Interest income	—			114
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	26,824			21,471
	Earnings before income taxes	22,516			22,373
	Income tax expense	10,644			6,640
	Earnings from discontinued operations	11,872			15,733
	Noncontrolling interest
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	58			5,835
	Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	(8		)	16
		50			5,851
	Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	11,822		$	9,882
Pre-tax Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties	'
	The following table summarizes the pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Quartermaster Plaza (Specialty Retail Center)	$	26,373		$	—
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE (Office Building)	451			—
	Millender Center (Apartment Community)	—			21,660
	Other	—			(189		)
		$	26,824		$	21,471
Gain on Disposition of Unconsolidated Entities	'
	The following table summarizes gains on the disposition of unconsolidated entities, which are included in equity in earnings:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Apartment Communities:
	Westwood Reserve	Tampa, Florida	$	8,904		$	—
	Legacy Crossroads	Cary, North Carolina	6,216			—
	Colonial Grand	Tampa, Florida	4,904			—
	Legacy Arboretum	Charlotte, North Carolina	3,257			—
	Barrington Place	Raleigh, North Carolina	1,515			—
			$	24,796		$	—

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted EPS Computations	'
	The reconciliation of the basic and diluted EPS computations is shown in the following table:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Numerators (in thousands)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	3,698		$	(29,473	)
	Preferred dividends	—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(106		)	—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	3,592		$	(29,658	)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	106			—
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	3,698		$	(29,658	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	15,520		$	(19,591	)
	Preferred dividends	—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(444		)	—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	15,076		$	(19,776	)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	444			—
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	15,520		$	(19,776	)
	Denominators
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Basic	197,739,076			183,809,227
	Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	1,926,005			—
	Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	3,646,755			—
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Diluted (1)	203,311,836			183,809,227
	Earnings Per Share
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	0.02		$	(0.16	)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	0.02		$	(0.16	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	0.08		$	(0.11	)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	0.08		$	(0.11	)
	-1	Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt of 32,138,215 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Incremental shares from dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities aggregating 39,154,047 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares of 3,195,616 and 3,646,870 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Financial Data of Reportable Operating Segments	'
	The following tables summarize financial data for the Company's reportable operating segments. All amounts in the following tables are presented in thousands.
		March 31, 2014			31-Dec-13
		Identifiable Assets
	Commercial Group	$	5,013,718		$	5,120,360
	Residential Group	2,560,391			2,468,708
	Arena	975,862			984,937
	Land Development Group	268,799			260,070
	Corporate Activities	128,038			117,950
		$	8,946,808		$	8,952,025
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		Revenues						Operating Expenses
	Commercial Group	$	130,085		$	172,881		$	81,548		$	99,581
	Residential Group	67,319			63,331			45,669			47,527
	Arena	35,357			24,140			23,476			18,412
	Land Development Group	18,426			9,614			8,849			7,688
	Corporate Activities	—			—			11,561			11,059
		$	251,187		$	269,966		$	171,103		$	184,267
		Depreciation and Amortization						Interest Expense
	Commercial Group	$	30,259		$	41,685		$	34,566		$	50,212
	Residential Group	15,396			16,531			9,185			6,607
	Arena	8,532			8,373			9,557			8,882
	Land Development Group	86			326			(138		)	(271		)
	Corporate Activities	736			889			9,282			16,053
		$	55,009		$	67,804		$	62,452		$	81,483
		Interest and Other Income						Capital Expenditures
	Commercial Group	$	1,784		$	1,924		$	30,997		$	58,872
	Residential Group	4,795			5,954			73,791			40,424
	Arena	—			—			5,937			15,020
	Land Development Group	3,245			2,722			16			707
	Corporate Activities	29			50			—			223
		$	9,853		$	10,650		$	110,741		$	115,246
Reconciliation of Net Earnings (Loss) to FFO by Segment	'
	The reconciliations of net earnings (loss) to FFO by segment are shown in the following tables. All amounts are presented in thousands.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	12,330		$	32,167		$	(3,292	)	$	11,593		$	(37,278	)	$	15,520
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	42,709			22,337			4,941			33			—			70,020
	Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	467			—			—			—			—			467
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	—			(24,796		)	—			—			—			(24,796		)
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	986			—			—			—			—			986
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(26,766		)	—			—			—			—			(26,766		)
	Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			19,898			19,898
	FFO	$	29,726		$	29,708		$	1,649		$	11,626		$	(17,380	)	$	55,329
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$	(23,958	)	$	16,196		$	(6,286	)	$	21,392		$	(27,120	)	$	(19,776	)
	Preferred dividends	—			—			—			—			185			185
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(23,958	)	$	16,196		$	(6,286	)	$	21,392		$	(26,935	)	$	(19,591	)
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	50,694			24,489			4,892			232			—			80,307
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	4,158			139			—			—			—			4,297
	(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	189			(15,825		)	—			—			—			(15,636		)
	Income tax expense on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			6,121			6,121
	FFO	$	31,083		$	24,999		$	(1,394	)	$	21,624		$	(20,814	)	$	55,498

Accounting_Policies_Details

Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("accumulated OCI")	'		'		'	'
Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$189		$189		'	'
Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts	115,216	[1]	125,059	[1]	'	'
Total unrealized losses	115,405		125,248		'	'
Income tax benefit	-44,703		-48,517		'	'
Noncontrolling interest	-140		-149		'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$70,562		$76,582		$102,134	$107,814
[1]	Included in the amounts as of MarchB 31,B 2014 and DecemberB 31,B 2013 are $91,846 and $97,360, respectively, of unrealized loss on an interest rate swap associated with NewB YorkB Times office building on its nonrecourse mortgage debt with a notional amount of $640,000. This swap effectively fixes the mortgage at an all-in lender interest rate of 6.40% and expires in September 2017.

Accounting_Policies_Details_1

Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning	($76,582,000)	($107,814,000)
OCI before reclassifications	3,283,000	5,053,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	2,737,000	627,000
Total other comprehensive income	6,020,000	5,680,000
Balance, ending	-70,562,000	-102,134,000
Securities	'	'
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning	0	-226,000
OCI before reclassifications	0	115,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	115,000
Balance, ending	0	-111,000
Foreign Currency Translation	'	'
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning	-116,000	0
OCI before reclassifications	0	-116,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	-116,000
Balance, ending	-116,000	-116,000
Interest Rate Contracts	'	'
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning	-76,466,000	-107,588,000
OCI before reclassifications	3,283,000	5,054,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	2,737,000	627,000
Total other comprehensive income	6,020,000	5,681,000
Balance, ending	($70,446,000)	($101,907,000)

Accounting_Policies_Details_2

Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Interest expense	$62,452	$81,483
Discontinued operations	2,641	-555
Equity in earnings	-34,029	-8,311
Income tax benefit	3,931	-8,665
Reclassification out of accumulated OCI [Member] | Accumulated net gain (loss) from designated or qualifying cash flow hedges [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Interest expense	797	969
Discontinued operations	3,666	'
Equity in earnings	15	61
Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest	4,478	1,030
Income tax benefit	-1,737	-399
Noncontrolling interest	-4	-4
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	$2,737	$627

Accounting_Policies_Details_Te

Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Maximum loss exposure for unconsolidated variable interest entities	$61
Primary beneficiary [Member]	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Number of variable interest entities	30
Number of properties represented by variable interest entities	23
Not primary beneficiary [Member]	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Number of variable interest entities	61

Accounting_Policies_Accounting

Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Details Textual 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Aug. 01, 2006	Jan. 02, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		property	BCR Transaction [Member]
			project
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of retail, office and residential operating properties and service companies	'	30	'
Number of projects	'	'	3
Costs of interest transferred to affiliates of the Company	'	'	$14,286
Tax indemnity payment accrual	$1,415	'	'

Accounting_Policies_Details_Te1

Accounting Policies (Details Textual 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Unrealized losses on an interest rate swap associated with office building	$91,846	$97,360
Nonrecourse mortgage debt [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
All-in lender interest rate	6.40%	'
Maturity date of swap agreement	1-Sep-17	'
New York Times [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Notional amount	$640,000	'

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl2

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Composition of mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse maturities	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2014	$721,320
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2015	435,221
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2016	113,012
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2017	1,022,492
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2018	331,217
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities thereafter	1,928,350
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	$4,551,612

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl3

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mortgage Debt and Notes Payble, Nonrecourse [Abstract]	'	'
Mortgage debt nonrecourse of development project held for sale	$228,000	$228,000
Mortgage debt nonrecourse of operating property held for sale	$74,621	'

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Deta

Revolving Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Maximum borrowings	$500,000,000	$500,000,000
Borrowings	0	0
Letters of credit	51,445,000	59,760,000
Surety bonds	0	0
Available credit	$448,555,000	$440,240,000

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Deta1

Revolving Credit Facility (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Revolving credit facility [Member]	Common stock Class A [Member]	Common stock Class A or B [Member]
				Revolving credit facility [Member]	Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total available borrowings	$500,000,000	$500,000,000	'	'	'
Credit Facility maturity terms	'	'	'FebruaryB 21,B 2016 and provides for one, 12-month extension option	'	'
Number of Credit Facility extension options	'	'	1	'	'
Term of Credit Facility extension option	'	'	'12 months	'	'
Credit Facility interest rate	'	'	'LIBOR plus 3.50%	'	'
Variable rate basis of debt instrument	'	'	'LIBOR	'	'
Variable rate basis spread of debt instrument	'	'	3.50%	'	'
Amount of available borrowings that can be used for letters of credit and/or surety bonds	'	'	100,000,000	'	'
Maximum Class A common stock repurchase amount	'	'	'	100,000,000	'
Maximum dividend restriction in any four fiscal quarter period	'	'	'	'	$24,000,000

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Detail

Convertible Senior Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Total Convertible Senior Debt	$700,000	$700,000
Notes due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	5.00%	5.00%
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Total Convertible Senior Debt	50,000	50,000
Notes due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	4.25%	4.25%
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Total Convertible Senior Debt	350,000	350,000
Notes due 2020 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate	3.63%	3.63%
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Total Convertible Senior Debt	$300,000	$300,000

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Conver

Convertible Senior Debt Convertible Senior Debt (Details Textuals) (Convertible Senior Notes [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Minimum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Conversion price per share	$13.91
Maximum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Conversion price per share	$24.21

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	$130,970,000	$18,970,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4,252,000	903,000
Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	273,786,000	447,532,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	282,000	155,000
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	1,089,025,000	1,301,144,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	100,057,000	107,630,000
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	39,031,000	39,052,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	16,671,000	15,477,000
Interest rate caps [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	247,164,000	447,532,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	94,000	155,000
Interest rate caps [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	0	0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0	0
Interest rate swap agreements [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	0	0
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	0
Interest rate swap agreements [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	861,240,000	961,359,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	92,290,000	97,858,000
Total Return Swap [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	130,970,000	18,970,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4,252,000	903,000
Total Return Swap [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	26,622,000	0
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	188,000	0
Total Return Swap [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	227,785,000	339,785,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	7,767,000	9,772,000
Total Return Swap [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	39,031,000	39,052,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	$16,671,000	$15,477,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	$5,365,000	$8,256,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-812,000	-1,033,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	-3,666,000	3,000
Interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	5,365,000	8,256,000
Interest rate swaps [Member] | Interest expense [Member]	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-797,000	-969,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	0	0
Interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	0	'
Interest rate swaps [Member] | Discontinued operations [Member]	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	0	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	-3,666,000	'
Interest Rate Caps and Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	0	0
Interest Rate Caps and Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Equity in earnings [Member]	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-15,000	-64,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	$0	$3,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	($1,063)		$331
Total Return Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	-1,006		570
Total Return Swap [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	5,354	[1]	-153	[1]
Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	($57)		($239)
[1]	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TRS borrowings was $(5,354) and $153 for the three months ended MarchB 31,B 2014 andB 2013, respectively, offsetting the gainB (loss) recognized on the TRS.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Loss on cash flow hedges to be reclassified within next twelve months	$24,740	'
SIFMA rate	0.06%	'
Net gain (loss) from change in fair value of underlying TRS borrowings recognized in interest expense	-5,354	153
Adjustment for nonperformance risk	5,700	'
Aggregate fair value of derivative instruments in a liability position	122,428	'
Posted collateral consisting of cash and notes receivable	73,516	'
Minimum [Member] | Interest rate swap agreements [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, term of contract	'1 year	'
Minimum [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, term of contract	'1 year	'
Maximum [Member] | Interest rate swap agreements [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, term of contract	'10 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, term of contract	'3 years	'
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount of TRS	358,755	'
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Loss on cash flow hedge ineffectiveness	$3,666	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	$3,515,000		$8,869,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	-197,040,000	[1]	-171,743,000
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	-305,719,000		-284,923,000
Interest rate caps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	94,000		155,000
Interest rate swap agreements [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative liabilities	-92,290,000		-97,858,000
Total Return Swap [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	4,440,000		903,000
Derivative liabilities	-24,438,000		-25,249,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	0		0
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Interest rate swap agreements [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative liabilities	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	0		0
Derivative liabilities	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	0		0
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	-351,000		-343,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	94,000		155,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest rate swap agreements [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative liabilities	-445,000		-498,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	0		0
Derivative liabilities	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	3,515,000		8,869,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	-197,040,000	[1]	-171,743,000
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	-305,368,000		-284,580,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest rate swap agreements [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative liabilities	-91,845,000		-97,360,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	4,440,000		903,000
Derivative liabilities	($24,438,000)		($25,249,000)
[1]	As of MarchB 31,B 2014, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at book value. The estimated fair value at MarchB 31,B 2014 is $153,407.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning	($284,580,000)	($368,642,000)
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	3,093,000	5,568,000
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):	'	'
Included in earnings	-1,006,000	570,000
Included in other comprehensive income	5,515,000	6,128,000
Included in additional paid-in capital	-28,390,000	-3,914,000
Balance, ending	-305,368,000	-360,290,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning	-171,743,000	-240,790,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	3,093,000	5,568,000
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):	'	'
Included in earnings	0	0
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Included in additional paid-in capital	-28,390,000	-3,914,000
Balance, ending	-197,040,000	-239,136,000
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning	-97,360,000	-131,634,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):	'	'
Included in earnings	0	0
Included in other comprehensive income	5,515,000	6,128,000
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	-91,845,000	-125,506,000
Net TRS [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning	-24,346,000	-6,108,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):	'	'
Included in earnings	4,348,000	417,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	-19,998,000	-5,691,000
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning	8,869,000	9,890,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):	'	'
Included in earnings	-5,354,000	153,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	3,515,000	10,043,000
TRS Related [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, beginning	-15,477,000	3,782,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):	'	'
Included in earnings	-1,006,000	570,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	($16,483,000)	$4,352,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail2

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member], Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Fair value, assets	$5,835
Valuation technique	'PotentialB futureB exposure
Unobservable input - credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	'CreditB spread
Input values - credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	4.00%
Total Return Swap [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Fair value, liabilities	-19,998
Valuation technique	'Bond quote
Total Return Swap [Member] | Discount rate [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Unobservable input - TRS	'Discount rate
Input values - TRS	'N/A	[1]
Total Return Swap [Member] | Capitalization rate [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Unobservable input - TRS	'Capitalization rate
Input values - TRS	'N/A	[1]
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Fair value, assets	$3,515
Valuation technique	'Bond quote
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS [Member] | Discount rate [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Unobservable input - fair value adjustment to borrowings subject to TRS	'Discount rate
Input values - fair value adjustment to the borrowing subject to TRS	'N/A	[1]
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS [Member] | Capitalization rate [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Unobservable input - fair value adjustment to borrowings subject to TRS	'Capitalization rate
Input values - fair value adjustment to the borrowing subject to TRS	'N/A	[1]
[1]	The Company does not have access to certain significant unobservable inputs used by these third parties to determine these fair values.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail3

Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (including land held for divestiture debt), bank revolving credit facility and senior and subordinated debt	'	'
Carrying Value	$5,251,612	$5,279,506
Fair Value	5,500,440	5,442,542
Fixed Rate Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (including land held for divestiture debt), bank revolving credit facility and senior and subordinated debt	'	'
Carrying Value	3,327,865	3,281,337
Fair Value	3,611,625	3,488,406
Variable Rate Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (including land held for divestiture debt), bank revolving credit facility and senior and subordinated debt	'	'
Carrying Value	1,923,747	1,998,169
Fair Value	$1,888,815	$1,954,136

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interest	$28,393
Estimated fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	$153,407

Capital_Stock_Detail_Textuals

Capital Stock (Detail Textuals) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

Mar. 13, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 13, 2013

Mar. 15, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Class A common stock [Member]

Class A common stock [Member]

Class A common stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

D

Class of Stock [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issued upon conversion of Series A preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

3.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$50

'

'

Initial conversion price of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

$15.12

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage initial conversion price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150.00%

'

'

Minimum trading days during which Class A common stock Daily Volume Weighted Average Price exceeds or equals conversion value price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20

'

'

Number of consecutive trading days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30

'

'

Conversion of stock, shares converted

'

'

'

'

362,990

'

'

'

109,768

'

'

'

Stock redeemed during period, Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101,270

'

'

'

101,000

Stock redeemed during period, Value

'

'

'

$5,063,000

'

'

'

$5,100,000

'

'

'

$5,063,000

Shares received upon settlement of equity call hedge

'

'

'

'

'

'

765,134

'

'

'

'

'

Value per share of Class A common stock received upon settlement of equity call hedge

'

'

'

'

'

'

$16.82

'

'

'

'

'

Class A common stock received upon settlement of equity call hedge

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,868,000

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from equity call hedge related to Series A preferred stock issuance

10,231,000

0

10,231,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred dividends

'

$0

$185,000

$185,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$185,000

'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Amount of stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	$6,031	$3,651
Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	-2,065	-1,433
Amount charged to operating expenses	3,966	2,218
Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	258	224
Total stock-based compensation expense	4,224	2,442
Deferred income tax benefit	1,566	880
Stock option costs [Member]	'	'
Amount of stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	1,456	591
Restricted stock costs [Member]	'	'
Amount of stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	3,724	2,721
Performance share costs [Member]	'	'
Amount of stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	$851	$339

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		11 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	D
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of days after year-end in which substantially all awards are made	90	'	'
Amount of grant-date fair value expensed immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible grantees	$1,358,000	$0	'
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	5,483	11,793	'
Purchase of treasury stock, aggregate cost basis	100,000	201,000	3,167,000
Stock options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock options granted	233,914	'	'
Grant-date fair value	$11.60	'	'
Stock options expected term	'5 years 6 months	'	'
Stock options expected volatility	71.50%	'	'
Stock options risk-free interest rate	1.91%	'	'
Stock options expected dividend yield	0.00%	'	'
Exercise price of options	$18.73	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	4,973,000	'	'
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	'2 years 9 months 15 days	'	'
Restricted stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares granted	601,822	'	'
Grant-date fair value	$18.73	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	25,391,000	'	'
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	'2 years 11 months 15 days	'	'
Performance shares [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares granted	309,750	'	'
Grant-date fair value	$18.23	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$11,770,000	'	'
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	'2 years 11 months 18 days	'	'

WriteOff_of_Abandoned_Developm1

Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects [Abstract]	'	'
Write-offs of abandoned development projects	$0	$12,896,000

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_1

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]	'	'
Impairment of real estate	$0	$0
Impairment of unconsolidated entities	$0	$0

Net_Gain_on_Land_Held_for_Dive1

Net Gain on Land Held for Divestiture Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of net gain loss on land held for divestiture [Abstract]	'	'
Sales of land held for divestiture	'	$10,722,000
Cost of sales of land held for divestiture	'	-1,681,000
Gain on extinguishment of debt of land held for divestiture	'	2,146,000
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	$0	$11,187,000

Net_Gain_on_Land_Held_for_Dive2

Net Gain on Land Held for Divestiture Activity (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Land Held for Divestiture [Abstract]	'
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity of unconsolidated entities	$1,829

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		11 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income tax expense (benefit)	$3,931	($8,665)	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	'	'	150,758
Net operating loss carryforward expiration dates	'	'	'years ending DecemberB 31,B 2028 through 2033
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward	'	'	28,570
Net deferred tax asset unrecognized	'	'	18,064
Charitable contribution deduction carryforward [Member]	'	'	'
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'
Tax carryforward	'	'	18,125
Carryforward expiration dates	'	'	'years ending DecemberB 31,B 2014 through 2017
General business tax credit carryovers [Member]	'	'	'
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'
Tax carryforward	'	'	$21,680
Carryforward expiration dates	'	'	'years ending DecemberB 31,B 2018 through 2033

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga2

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Millender Center [Member]

Millender Center [Member]

Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]

Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]

Quartermaster Plaza [Member]

Quartermaster Plaza [Member]

Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]

Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]

Orchard Town Center [Member]

Orchard Town Center [Member]

Colorado Studios [Member]

Colorado Studios [Member]

Higbee Building [Member]

Higbee Building [Member]

Sheraton Station Square [Member]

Sheraton Station Square [Member]

Two triple net lease properties [Member]

Two triple net lease properties [Member]

One triple net lease property [Member]

One triple net lease property [Member]

apartmentunit

sqft

sqft

sqft

sqft

sqft

sqft

room

sqft

property

property

Summary of rental properties included in discontinued operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Location

'Detroit, Michigan

'

'Bolingbrook, Illinois

'

'Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

'

'Albuquerque, New Mexico

'

'Westminster, Colorado

'

'Denver, Colorado

'

'Cleveland, Ohio

'

'Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

'

'Various

'

'

'

Square feet

'

'

771,000

'

456,000

'

87,000

'

603,000

'

75,000

'

815,000

'

'

'

138,000

'

'

'

Number of units/rooms

339

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

399

'

'

'

'

'

Period disposed

'Q1-2013

'

'Q2-2014

'

'Q1-2014

'

'Q1-2014

'

'Q4-2013

'

'Q3-2013

'

'Q3-2013

'

'Q3-2013

'

'Various

[1]

'

'

'

Period status

'0

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'

'

Number of triple net lease properties disposed of

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

[1]

Includes one triple net lease property disposed of during Q4-2013 and one triple net lease property disposed of during Q1-2013.

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga3

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	property
Balance Sheet of Property Held for Sale [Line Items]	'	'
Real estate, net	$6,426,852	$6,502,072
Other assets	405,988	415,316
Total Assets	8,946,808	8,952,025
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	837,805	831,920
Total Liabilities	6,834,049	6,854,163
Number of properties held for sale	1	'
Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]	'	'
Balance Sheet of Property Held for Sale [Line Items]	'	'
Real estate, net	69,973	'
Other assets	8,375	'
Total Assets	78,348	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	74,621	'
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	6,873	'
Total Liabilities	$81,494	'

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga4

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations	'	'
Revenues from real estate operations	$6,995,000	$25,237,000
Expenses	'	'
Operating expenses	4,775,000	15,925,000
Depreciation and amortization	987,000	4,313,000
Total expenses	5,762,000	20,238,000
Interest expense	-5,483,000	-3,990,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	-41,000	-181,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	-17,000	-40,000
Interest income	0	114,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	26,824,000	21,471,000
Earnings before income taxes	22,516,000	22,373,000
Income tax expense	10,644,000	6,640,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	11,872,000	15,733,000
Noncontrolling interest	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	58,000	5,835,000
Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	-8,000	16,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	50,000	5,851,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$11,822,000	$9,882,000

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga5

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	$26,824,000	$21,471,000
Quartermaster Plaza [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	26,373,000	0
Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	451,000	0
Millender Center (Apartment Community) [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	21,660,000
Other [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	$0	($189,000)

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga6

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	$24,796,000	$0
Westwood Reserve [Member]	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	8,904,000	0
Legacy Crossroads [Member]	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	6,216,000	0
Colonial Grand [Member]	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	4,904,000	0
Legacy Arboretum [Member]	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	3,257,000	0
Barrington Place [Member]	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	$1,515,000	$0

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Numerators	'		'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$3,698,000		($29,473,000)
Preferred dividends	0		-185,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-106,000		0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders b Basic	3,592,000		-29,658,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	106,000		0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders b Diluted	3,698,000		-29,658,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	15,520,000		-19,591,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-444,000		0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders b Basic	15,076,000		-19,776,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	444,000		0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders b Diluted	$15,520,000		($19,776,000)
Denominators	'		'
Weighted average shares outstanding b Basic	197,739,076		183,809,227
Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	1,926,005		0
Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	3,646,755		0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	203,311,836	[1]	183,809,227	[1]
Earnings per share	'		'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders - Basic	$0.02		($0.16)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders - Diluted	$0.02		($0.16)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders - Basic	$0.08		($0.11)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders - Diluted	$0.08		($0.11)
[1]	Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt of 32,138,215 for the three months ended MarchB 31,B 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Incremental shares from dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities aggregating 39,154,047 for the three months ended MarchB 31,B 2013 were not included in the computation of dilutedB EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares of 3,195,616 and 3,646,870 for the three months ended MarchB 31,B 2014 andB 2013, respectively, were not included in the computation of dilutedB EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities [Member]	'	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	'	39,154,047
Convertible debt [Member]	'	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	32,138,215	'
Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares [Member]	'	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	3,195,616	3,646,870

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'
Total Assets	$8,946,808,000	'	$8,952,025,000
Revenues	251,187,000	269,966,000	'
Operating expenses	171,103,000	184,267,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	55,009,000	67,804,000	'
Interest expense	62,452,000	81,483,000	'
Interest and other income	9,853,000	10,650,000	'
Capital expenditures	110,741,000	115,246,000	'
Commercial Group [Member]	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'
Total Assets	5,013,718,000	'	5,120,360,000
Revenues	130,085,000	172,881,000	'
Operating expenses	81,548,000	99,581,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	30,259,000	41,685,000	'
Interest expense	34,566,000	50,212,000	'
Interest and other income	1,784,000	1,924,000	'
Capital expenditures	30,997,000	58,872,000	'
Residential Group [Member]	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'
Total Assets	2,560,391,000	'	2,468,708,000
Revenues	67,319,000	63,331,000	'
Operating expenses	45,669,000	47,527,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	15,396,000	16,531,000	'
Interest expense	9,185,000	6,607,000	'
Interest and other income	4,795,000	5,954,000	'
Capital expenditures	73,791,000	40,424,000	'
Arena [Member]	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'
Total Assets	975,862,000	'	984,937,000
Revenues	35,357,000	24,140,000	'
Operating expenses	23,476,000	18,412,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	8,532,000	8,373,000	'
Interest expense	9,557,000	8,882,000	'
Interest and other income	0	0	'
Capital expenditures	5,937,000	15,020,000	'
Land Development Group [Member]	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'
Total Assets	268,799,000	'	260,070,000
Revenues	18,426,000	9,614,000	'
Operating expenses	8,849,000	7,688,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	86,000	326,000	'
Interest expense	-138,000	-271,000	'
Interest and other income	3,245,000	2,722,000	'
Capital expenditures	16,000	707,000	'
Corporate Activities [Member]	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'
Total Assets	128,038,000	'	117,950,000
Revenues	0	0	'
Operating expenses	11,561,000	11,059,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	736,000	889,000	'
Interest expense	9,282,000	16,053,000	'
Interest and other income	29,000	50,000	'
Capital expenditures	$0	$223,000	'

Segment_Information_Details_1

Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		11 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	$15,520,000	($19,776,000)	'
Preferred dividends	0	185,000	185,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	15,520,000	-19,591,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	55,009,000	67,804,000	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	467,000	0	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	-24,796,000	'	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	-26,766,000	-15,636,000	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	-19,898,000	-6,121,000	'
FFO	55,329,000	55,498,000	'
Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	70,020,000	80,307,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	986,000	4,297,000	'
Commercial Group [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	'	-23,958,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	12,330,000	-23,958,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	30,259,000	41,685,000	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	467,000	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	'	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	-26,766,000	189,000	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	'
FFO	29,726,000	31,083,000	'
Commercial Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	42,709,000	50,694,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	986,000	4,158,000	'
Residential Group [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	'	16,196,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	32,167,000	16,196,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	15,396,000	16,531,000	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	0	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	-24,796,000	'	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	0	-15,825,000	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	'
FFO	29,708,000	24,999,000	'
Residential Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	22,337,000	24,489,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	0	139,000	'
Arena [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	'	-6,286,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-3,292,000	-6,286,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	8,532,000	8,373,000	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	0	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	'	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	0	0	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	'
FFO	1,649,000	-1,394,000	'
Arena [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	4,941,000	4,892,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	0	0	'
Land Development Group [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	'	21,392,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	11,593,000	21,392,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	86,000	326,000	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	0	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	'	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	0	0	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	'
FFO	11,626,000	21,624,000	'
Land Development Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	33,000	232,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	0	0	'
Corporate Activities [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. common shareholders	'	-27,120,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	185,000	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-37,278,000	-26,935,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	736,000	889,000	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	0	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	'	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on disposition of rental properties	0	0	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	-19,898,000	-6,121,000	'
FFO	-17,380,000	-20,814,000	'
Corporate Activities [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	0	0	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	$0	$0	'