Forest City Enterprises (FCEPP) 10-Q 3 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 29, 2014	Oct. 29, 2014
		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	30-Sep-14	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	181,757,129	19,216,218

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate	'	'
Completed rental properties	$7,161,037,000	$7,307,233,000
Projects under construction and development	634,969,000	535,479,000
Land inventory	113,892,000	128,688,000
Total Real Estate	7,909,898,000	7,971,400,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-1,567,874,000	-1,469,328,000
Real Estate, net b (variable interest entities $404.3 million and $656.8 million, respectively)	6,342,024,000	6,502,072,000
Cash and equivalents b (variable interest entities $14.6 million and $18.8 million, respectively)	181,656,000	280,206,000
Restricted cash b (variable interest entities $7.8 million and $154.5 million, respectively)	241,391,000	347,534,000
Notes and accounts receivable, net	442,624,000	455,561,000
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	605,008,000	447,165,000
Other assets b (variable interest entities $26.4 million and $55.5 million, respectively)	396,227,000	415,316,000
Development project held for sale b (variable interest entities of $0 and $504.2 million, respectively)	0	504,171,000
Total Assets	8,208,930,000	8,952,025,000
Liabilities	'	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse b (variable interest entities $233.5 million and $323.7 million, respectively)	4,016,396,000	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 $64.1 million and $89.0 million, respectively)	798,266,000	831,920,000
Cash distributions and losses in excess of investments in unconsolidated entities	278,168,000	256,843,000
Deferred income taxes	451,752,000	485,894,000
Mortgage debt, nonrecourse, on development project held for sale b (variable interest entities of $0 and $228.0 million, respectively)	0	228,000,000
Total Liabilities	6,244,582,000	6,854,163,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	186,834,000	171,743,000
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value	'	'
Common stock	66,672,000	66,225,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,095,814,000	1,095,748,000
Retained earnings	494,007,000	570,793,000
Less treasury stock, at cost; 1,098,965 and 941,853 Class A shares, respectively	-18,950,000	-15,978,000
Shareholders' equity before accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,637,543,000	1,716,788,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-61,308,000	-76,582,000
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,576,235,000	1,640,206,000
Noncontrolling interest	201,279,000	285,913,000
Total Equity	1,777,514,000	1,926,119,000
Total Liabilities and Equity	8,208,930,000	8,952,025,000
Common stock Class A	'	'
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value	'	'
Common stock	60,265,000	59,500,000
Total Equity	60,265,000	59,500,000
Common stock Class B	'	'
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value	'	'
Common stock	6,407,000	6,725,000
Total Equity	$6,407,000	$6,725,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate, net	$6,342,024,000	$6,502,072,000
Cash and equivalents	181,656,000	280,206,000
Restricted cash	241,391,000	347,534,000
Other assets	396,227,000	415,316,000
Development project held for sale	0	504,171,000
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	4,016,396,000	4,351,506,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	798,266,000	831,920,000
Mortgage debt, nonrecourse, of development project held for sale	0	228,000,000
Preferred stock, without par value	$0	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	13,600,000	13,600,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Variable interest entities	'	'
Real Estate, net	404,300,000	656,800,000
Cash and equivalents	14,600,000	18,800,000
Restricted cash	7,800,000	154,500,000
Other assets	26,400,000	55,500,000
Development project held for sale	0	504,200,000
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse	233,500,000	323,700,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	64,100,000	89,000,000
Mortgage debt, nonrecourse, of development project held for sale	$0	$228,000,000
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	180,794,078	178,498,770
Common stock, shares outstanding	179,695,113	177,556,917
Treasury stock, Class A shares	1,098,965	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	19,220,506	20,173,558
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,220,506	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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Rental	$132,536,000	$151,855,000	$391,019,000	$449,583,000
Tenant recoveries	30,082,000	37,890,000	89,146,000	121,881,000
Service and management fees	12,150,000	14,040,000	36,053,000	42,448,000
Parking and other	13,604,000	13,637,000	38,272,000	40,470,000
Arena	25,039,000	25,277,000	84,968,000	76,270,000
Land sales	15,123,000	22,523,000	50,367,000	56,992,000
Military Housing	6,209,000	11,471,000	24,092,000	36,930,000
Total revenues	234,743,000	276,693,000	713,917,000	824,574,000
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Property operating and management	92,347,000	107,140,000	283,075,000	332,498,000
Real estate taxes	19,691,000	20,825,000	59,445,000	65,434,000
Ground rent	2,411,000	1,181,000	6,465,000	5,184,000
Arena operating	17,105,000	16,286,000	55,399,000	56,596,000
Cost of land sales	2,879,000	14,186,000	17,081,000	31,718,000
Military Housing operating	1,958,000	7,890,000	10,216,000	22,814,000
Corporate general and administrative	13,763,000	13,994,000	35,383,000	38,531,000
Total operating expenses	150,154,000	181,502,000	467,064,000	552,775,000
Depreciation and amortization	55,511,000	88,232,000	169,838,000	236,488,000
Write-offs of abandoned development projects and demolition costs	456,000	3,459,000	1,389,000	17,012,000
Impairment of real estate	966,000	0	130,795,000	1,175,000
Net (gain) loss on land held for divestiture activity	0	8,925,000	0	-3,383,000
Total expenses	207,087,000	282,118,000	769,086,000	804,067,000
Operating income (loss)	27,656,000	-5,425,000	-55,169,000	20,507,000
Interest expense	-59,312,000	-82,253,000	-178,917,000	-246,832,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	-2,074,000	-2,300,000	-5,967,000	-7,567,000
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	-49,000	23,666,000	-927,000	18,718,000
Interest and other income	10,096,000	14,957,000	33,974,000	37,382,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interest in development project	0	0	-19,590,000	0
Net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties	-146,000	386,559,000	-613,000	386,559,000
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	-23,829,000	335,204,000	-227,209,000	208,767,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'
Current	3,493,000	36,865,000	8,992,000	-3,265,000
Deferred	-3,858,000	108,090,000	-52,373,000	121,085,000
Total income tax expense (benefit)	-365,000	144,955,000	-43,381,000	117,820,000
Net gain on change in control of interests	0	0	2,759,000	2,762,000
Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax	'	'	'	'
Equity in earnings	19,346,000	43,924,000	80,543,000	56,680,000
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	0	79,000	0	2,590,000
Total equity in earnings from unconsolidated entities	19,346,000	44,003,000	80,543,000	59,270,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	-4,118,000	234,252,000	-100,526,000	152,979,000
Discontinued operations, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	0	-706,000	-1,844,000	1,674,000
Impairment of real estate	0	-4,206,000	0	-4,206,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	10,583,000	14,856,000	25,761,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	0	5,671,000	13,012,000	23,229,000
Net earnings (loss)	-4,118,000	239,923,000	-87,514,000	176,208,000
Noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, gross of tax	4,804,000	2,068,000	10,778,000	17,151,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	-135,000	-50,000	-6,034,000
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,804,000	1,933,000	10,728,000	11,117,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	686,000	241,856,000	-76,786,000	187,325,000
Preferred dividends	0	0	0	185,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$686,000	$241,856,000	($76,786,000)	$187,140,000
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	'	'	'	'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$0	$1.16	($0.45)	$0.86
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$0	$0.03	$0.06	$0.09
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$0	$1.19	($0.39)	$0.95
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	'	'	'	'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$0	$1.03	($0.45)	$0.80
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$0	$0.03	$0.06	$0.08
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$0	$1.06	($0.39)	$0.88

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss)	($4,118,000)	$239,923,000	($87,514,000)	$176,208,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized net gains on investment securities, net of tax	0	468,000	0	678,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-102,000	0	48,000	-116,000
Unrealized net gains on interest rate derivative contracts, net of tax	7,265,000	4,103,000	15,272,000	24,736,000
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,163,000	4,571,000	15,320,000	25,298,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	3,045,000	244,494,000	-72,194,000	201,506,000
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	4,779,000	1,926,000	10,682,000	11,089,000
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$7,824,000	$246,420,000	($61,512,000)	$212,595,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Tax amount related to unrealized net gains on investment securities	$0	($297,000)	$0	($430,000)
Tax amount related to foreign currency translation adjustments	64,000	0	-30,000	73,000
Tax amount related to unrealized net gains on interest rate derivative contracts	($4,587,000)	($2,594,000)	($9,647,000)	($15,653,000)

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 loss, net of $13,299 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 loss, net of $13,299 and $16,847 attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	-74,215,000	'	-76,786,000	'	'	2,571,000	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	15,320,000	'	'	'	15,274,000	46,000	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-3,800,000	'	'	-3,800,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock, Shares	205,568	'	'	205,000	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	318,000	-318,000
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	953,000	-953,000
Restricted stock vested	0	-223,000	'	'	'	'	'	223,000	'
Restricted stock vested, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	669,000	'
Exercise of stock options	583,000	-245,000	'	828,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, Shares	'	'	'	-48,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	14,840,000	14,840,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess income tax deficiency from stock-based compensation	-149,000	-149,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exchange of Class A Common Units for Class A Shares	0	34,134,000	'	'	'	-34,358,000	'	224,000	'
Exchange of Class A Common Units for Class A Shares, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	673,000	'
Redeemble noncontrolling interest adjustment	-28,390,000	-28,390,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of partners' noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	-94,557,000	-28,151,000	'	'	'	-66,406,000	'	'	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	34,249,000	'	'	'	'	34,249,000	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-8,992,000	'	'	'	'	-8,992,000	'	'	'
Adjustment due to change in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries	-3,494,000	8,250,000	'	'	'	-11,744,000	'	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$1,777,514,000	$1,095,814,000	$494,007,000	($18,950,000)	($61,308,000)	$201,279,000	$0	$60,265,000	$6,407,000
Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	'	'	1,099,000	'	'	0	180,794,000	19,220,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ1

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (Noncontrolling Interest, USD $)	9 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	($13,299)	($16,847)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net earnings (loss)	($87,514,000)	$176,208,000
Depreciation and amortization	169,838,000	236,488,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	5,967,000	7,567,000
Impairment of real estate	130,795,000	1,175,000
Write-offs of abandoned development projects	283,000	14,858,000
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	927,000	-18,718,000
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity	0	-3,383,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interest in development project	19,590,000	0
Net (gain) loss on disposition of partial interest in rental properties	613,000	-386,559,000
Net gain on change in control of interests	-2,759,000	-2,762,000
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-52,373,000	121,085,000
Earnings from unconsolidated entities	-80,543,000	-59,270,000
Stock-based compensation expense	10,730,000	8,432,000
Amortization and mark-to-market adjustments of derivative instruments	4,984,000	9,872,000
Cash distributions from operations of unconsolidated entities	59,217,000	53,027,000
Non-cash operating expenses and deferred taxes included in discontinued operations	9,883,000	22,717,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties included in discontinued operations	-28,100,000	-43,931,000
Decrease in land inventory	9,203,000	7,266,000
Increase in notes and accounts receivable	-2,065,000	-1,003,000
Decrease in other assets	7,562,000	17,613,000
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	-15,009,000	-25,960,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	161,229,000	134,722,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	'	'
Capital expenditures	-315,170,000	-345,395,000
Payment of lease procurement costs	-7,212,000	-8,260,000
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable	10,580,000	-21,917,000
Decrease in restricted cash used for investing purposes	106,165,000	20,156,000
Proceeds from disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties or development project	236,908,000	496,515,000
Contributions to investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	-112,613,000	-30,383,000
Distributions from investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	120,294,000	73,910,000
Net cash provided by investing activities	38,952,000	184,626,000
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	507,788,000	497,646,000
Principal payments on nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	-733,937,000	-710,705,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	832,325,000	507,194,000
Payments on revolving credit facility	-832,325,000	-507,194,000
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Senior Notes due 2020, net of issuance costs	0	291,250,000
Redemption of Senior Notes due 2015	0	-53,253,000
Redemption of Senior Notes due 2017	0	-132,144,000
Make-whole premium and inducements related to exchange of Senior Notes due 2014 for Class A common stock	0	-5,490,000
Transaction costs related to exchange of Senior Notes due 2014 for Class A common stock	0	-2,300,000
Payments of deferred financing costs	-10,751,000	-11,317,000
Change in book overdrafts	0	3,161,000
Purchase of treasury stock	-3,800,000	-3,226,000
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	583,000	8,027,000
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	0	-185,000
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	-83,871,000	-101,467,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	34,249,000	53,186,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-8,992,000	-30,145,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-298,731,000	-191,794,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	-98,550,000	127,554,000
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	280,206,000	293,557,000
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$181,656,000	$421,111,000

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Accounting Policies	'
	Accounting Policies
	Change in Year-End
	The Company changed its year-end to December 31 from January 31, effective December 31, 2013. As a result, the financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are presented to allow for comparison between periods. The Company believes the change was 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 (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) 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.
	In April 2013, management approved a plan to demolish Ten MetroTech Center, an office building in Brooklyn, New York, to clear the land for redevelopment or sale. Accordingly, the original useful life, estimated to expire in 2042, was adjusted to expire at the demolition date in October 2013, which resulted in $25,421,000 and $44,397,000 of accelerated depreciation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Reclassifications
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company established several new financial statement line items within the Revenue and Expense sections of the Consolidated Statement of Operations to provide the financial statement user additional details of the components of total revenues and total expenses. Accordingly, comparable amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 have been reclassified.
	The new financial statement lines discussed above and a brief description of their components not previously disclosed include the following:
	Rental - Tenant rental revenues and overage rents from operating properties, lease termination income and the adjustment to recognize minimum rents using the straight-line method.
	Tenant recoveries - Recoveries from commercial tenants for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other commercial property operating expenses.
	Service and management fees - Management, leasing, finance, development and other service fee revenue.
	Parking and other - Revenues derived from monthly and transient tenant parking and other revenue.
	Land sales - Sales of land to residential, commercial and industrial customers, primarily at the Company’s Stapleton project, and sales of commercial and residential outlots adjacent to the Company’s operating property portfolio.
	Property operating and management - Expenses incurred at the operating property level and general business unit expenses including non-capitalizable development costs and management and service company expenses.
	Ground rent - Expenses related to ground leases, including participation payments under the ground lease. Participation payments are triggered by defined events within the respective lease agreements and may include refinancings, sales or other capital transactions. Also includes the adjustment to recognize ground rent expenses using the straight-line method.
	Cost of land sales - Cost of land associated with land sales.
	Corporate general and administrative - Expenses related to the Company’s Corporate segment.
	In addition, The Nets operating segment information as of December 31, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 September 30, 2014, the Company determined it was the primary beneficiary of 23 VIEs representing 19 properties, which are consolidated. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company’s general credit. As of September 30, 2014, the Company owns variable interests in 62 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 $258,000,000 at September 30, 2014.
	During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company entered into a joint venture with Greenland Atlantic Yards, LLC, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based Greenland Holding Group Company Limited (“Greenland”), to execute on the remaining development rights of Pacific Park Brooklyn, a 22 acre mixed-use project in Brooklyn, New York. Following the transaction, the Company determined it was no longer the primary beneficiary of the Pacific Park Brooklyn project, which historically was a VIE. The impact of the deconsolidation to the December 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet and parenthetical disclosures were decreases of $504,171,000 to development project held for sale, $1,141,000 to cash and equivalents, $99,784,000 to restricted cash, $2,571,000 to other assets, $228,000,000 to mortgage debt, nonrecourse of development project held for sale and $20,428,000 to accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and an increase to investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities of $156,071,000 to the September 30, 2014 Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the Company acquired the remaining noncontrolling interest of Arizona State Retirement System in the under construction B2 BKLYN, an apartment building in Brooklyn, New York. Following the transaction, the Company determined that B2 BKLYN was no longer a VIE. The impact of the removal of the entity from VIE status to the parenthetical disclosures on the December 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet were decreases of $104,408,000 to real estate, net, $1,306,000 to cash and equivalents, $46,801,000 to restricted cash, $3,110,000 to other assets, $56,605,000 to mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse and $7,656,000 to accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities.
	Noncontrolling Interest
	In connection with the closing of a joint venture with Greenland, the Company became obligated to purchase certain noncontrolling interests of the fully consolidated entity that contributed the development project into the joint venture. See Note M – Net Loss on Disposition of Partial Interest in Development Project for detailed information on the joint venture. In addition, the Company acquired certain other partners’ noncontrolling interest in Shops at Wiregrass, a regional mall in Tampa, Florida, Waterfront Station, a mixed-use development project in Washington, D.C., and B2 BKLYN, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The fair value of consideration exchanged or accrued related to all noncontrolling interest acquisitions in excess of the book value was $28,151,000, resulting in a decrease in additional paid-in-capital as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Equity.
	New Accounting Guidance
	The following accounting pronouncements were adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 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.
	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 that annual period. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance was early adopted effective April 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is expected to substantially reduce the number of property disposals that qualify for discontinued operations as compared to historical results.
	The following new accounting pronouncements will be adopted on their respective effective dates:
	In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance on disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This guidance requires management to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide disclosures under certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of this guidance is an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance defines steps an entity should apply to achieve the core principle. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim reporting periods within that annual period and allows for both retrospective and modified retrospective methods of adoption. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently in the process of determining the method of adoption and evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	Related Party Transactions
	The Company and certain of its affiliates entered into a Master Contribution and Sale Agreement (the “Master Contribution 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 their interests in a total of 30 retail, office and residential operating properties and service companies in the Greater New York City metropolitan area. The Company issued Class A Common Units (“Units”) in a jointly-owned, limited liability company in exchange for their interests. The Company accounted for the issuance of the Units in exchange for the noncontrolling interests under the purchase method of accounting. The Units may be exchanged for one of the following forms of consideration at the Company’s sole discretion: (i) an equal number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock or, (ii) cash based on a formula using the average closing price of the Class A common stock at the time of conversion or, (iii) a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. The Company has no rights to redeem or repurchase the Units. Pursuant to the Master Contribution 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.
	In June 2014, one of the BCR Entities exchanged 673,565 of the Units. The Company issued 673,565 shares of its Class A common stock for the exchanged Units. The Company accounted for the exchange as a purchase of noncontrolling interests, resulting in a reduction of noncontrolling interests of $34,358,000, an increase to Class A common stock of $224,000 and a combined increase to additional paid-in capital of $34,134,000, accounting for the fair value of common stock issued and the difference between the fair value of consideration exchanged and the noncontrolling interest balance. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 2,973,190 and 3,646,755 Units, respectively, were outstanding.
	Pursuant to the terms of the Master Contribution Agreement, on January 2, 2014, the Company caused certain of its affiliates to acquire the BCR Entities’ interests in 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, for $14,286,000. 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 March 2014 disposal of Quartermaster Plaza, a specialty retail center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Company accrued $1,646,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, related to a tax indemnity payment due to the BCR Entities, of which $1,235,000 was paid as of September 30, 2014.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“accumulated OCI”):
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$	111		$	189
	Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts (1)	100,140			125,059
		100,251			125,248
	Income tax benefit	(38,840		)	(48,517		)
	Noncontrolling interest	(103		)	(149		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$	61,308		$	76,582
	-1	Included in the amounts as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are $78,293 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)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	—		$	(116	)	$	(76,466	)	$	(76,582	)
	OCI before reclassifications	—			48			11,773			11,821
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			3,453			3,453
	Total other comprehensive income	—			48			15,226			15,274
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	—		$	(68	)	$	(61,240	)	$	(61,308	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(226	)	$	—		$	(107,588	)	$	(107,814	)
	OCI before reclassifications	678			(116		)	21,118			21,680
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			3,590			3,590
Total other comprehensive income	678			(116		)	24,708			25,270
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	452		$	(116	)	$	(82,880	)	$	(82,544	)
The following table summarizes losses reclassified from accumulated OCI and their location on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Accumulated OCI Components	Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI				Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations
	(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Interest rate contracts	$	1,956			Interest expense
Interest rate contracts	3,666				Discontinued operations
Interest rate contracts	44				Equity in earnings
	5,666				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
	(2,187		)		Income tax benefit
	(26		)		Noncontrolling interest
	$	3,453			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Interest rate contracts	$	5,788			Interest expense
Interest rate contracts	88				Equity in earnings
	5,876				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
	(2,274		)		Income tax benefit
	(12		)		Noncontrolling interest
	$	3,590			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
Supplemental Non-Cash Disclosures
The following table represents a summary of non-cash transactions including, but not limited to, dispositions of operating properties whereby the nonrecourse mortgage debt is assumed by the buyer, exchange of Units or senior debt for Class A common stock, conversion of Series A preferred stock to Class A common stock, changes in consolidation methods due to the occurrence of triggering events including, but not limited to, disposition of a partial interest in rental properties or development projects or acquisition of a partner’s interest, change in construction payables, change in the fair market value of redeemable noncontrolling interest and capitalization of stock-based compensation granted to employees directly involved with the development and construction of real estate.
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Investing Activities
Decrease in projects under construction and development	$	351,905		$	20,919
Decrease in completed rental properties	136,008			853,875
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(20		)	4,326
Increase in notes and accounts receivable	(2,728		)	—
Increase in investments in and advances to affiliates	(122,663		)	(34,885		)
Total effect on investing activities	$	362,502		$	844,235
Financing Activities
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	10,683		$	—
Decrease in nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	(342,960		)	(868,342		)
Decrease in convertible senior debt	—			(218,675		)
Decrease in preferred stock	—			(5,489		)
Increase in Class A common stock	225			4,681
Increase in additional paid-in capital	34,741			179,617
Increase in treasury stock	—			(12,868		)
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interest	28,390			9,939
(Decrease) increase in noncontrolling interest	(73,535		)	32,059
Total effect on financing activities	$	(342,456	)	$	(879,078	)

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 as of September 30, 2014:
	Years Ending December 31,
		(in thousands)
	2014	$	150,918
	2015	434,791
	2016	97,015
	2017	1,123,937
	2018	274,608
	Thereafter	1,935,127
	Total	$	4,016,396

Revolving_Credit_Facility

Revolving Credit Facility	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Revolving Credit Facility	'
	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 becomes due during the term of the agreement. The Credit Facility matures on February 21, 2016 and provides for one, 12-month extension option, subject to certain conditions. Borrowings bear interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (“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. The Company may repurchase up to $100,000,000 of Class A common stock and 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. 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 September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all of these financial covenants.
	The following table summarizes available credit on the Credit Facility:
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Maximum borrowings	$	500,000	$	500,000
	Less outstanding balances:
	Borrowings	—		—
	Letters of credit	86,858		59,760
	Surety bonds	—		—
	Available credit	$	413,142	$	440,240

Convertible_Senior_Debt

Convertible Senior Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Convertible Senior Debt	'
	Convertible Senior Debt
	The following table summarizes the Company’s convertible senior debt:
		September 30, 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	$	700,000	$	700,000
	As of September 30, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 interest rate risk management strategy using 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 during the period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value is recognized directly in earnings. Ineffectiveness was insignificant during the three months ended September 30, 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $3,667,000 as an increase to interest expense primarily related to ineffectiveness from a missed forecasted transaction arising from the early reclassification of OCI related to debt associated with an entity that was disposed of during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $2,963,000 as an increase to interest expense related to ineffectiveness arising primarily from the early reclassification of OCI related to debt associated with entities that were included in the partial disposition of real estate. The hedged debt for these entities was deconsolidated and is now accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As of September 30, 2014, the Company expects it will reclassify amounts recorded in accumulated OCI into earnings as an increase in interest expense of approximately $24,576,000, net of tax, within the next twelve months. 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 enters 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 (0.04% at September 30, 2014) plus a spread. Additionally, the Company has 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 September 30, 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 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 earnings.
	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 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
		September 30, 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 caps	$	330,000		$	208			$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—			—				870,995			79,406
	TRS	130,970			5,226				227,785			11,816
	Total	$	460,970		$	5,434			$	1,098,780		$	91,222
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	266,925		$	50			$	—		$	—
	TRS	76,482			623				38,987			15,467
	Total	$	343,407		$	673			$	38,987		$	15,467
		December 31, 2013
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—			$	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 September 30, 2014
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	11,243			Interest expense	$	(594	)	$	(1	)
	Interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(14		)	—
	Total	$	11,243				$	(608	)	$	(1	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	19,253			Interest expense	$	(1,955	)	$	(1	)
	Interest rate swap	—				Discontinued operations	—			(3,666		)
	Interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(44		)	—
	Total	$	19,253				$	(1,999	)	$	(3,667	)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	2,817			Interest expense	$	(902	)	$	(2,963	)
	Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and Treasury options	—				Equity in earnings	(15		)	—
	Total	$	2,817				$	(917	)	$	(2,963	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	34,506			Interest expense	$	(2,825	)	$	(2,963	)
	Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and Treasury options	—				Equity in earnings	(93		)	5
	Total	$	34,506				$	(2,918	)	$	(2,958	)
	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 September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013				2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
TRS (1)	$	68		$	2,996			$	2,279		$	3,100
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	62		$	—			$	(41	)	$	(239	)
TRS	(42		)	(1,807		)		633			(3,532		)
Total	$	20		$	(1,807	)		$	592		$	(3,771	)
-1	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TRS borrowings was $(68) and $(2,279) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $(2,996) and $(3,100) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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.
Agreements with derivative counterparties contain 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, certain derivative contracts 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. The majority of derivative instruments are held at the property level and do not contain credit-risk related contingent features, such as a credit rating downgrade. Also, certain subsidiaries have agreements containing provisions whereby the subsidiaries must maintain certain minimum financial ratios.
The following table presents information about collateral posted for derivatives in liability positions as of September 30, 2014:
	Collateral Information
	Notional Amount			Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk			Nonperformance Risk			Collateral Posted			Nature of Collateral	Credit Risk Contingent Feature
	(in thousands)
Property Specific Swaps	$	670,995		$	83,580		$	(4,340	)	$	—		Mortgage liens	None
TRS	266,772			27,206			77			52,015			Restricted cash, securities, notes receivable, letters of credit	None
Corporate Aggregate Swaps	200,000			166			—			170			Restricted cash	Credit rating
Totals	$	1,137,767		$	110,952		$	(4,263	)	$	52,185

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 swaps and TRS with positive fair values included in other assets. The Company’s financial liabilities consist of interest rate swaps 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 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 is not material to the current period financial statements. Accordingly, at March 31, 2014, the Company corrected the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest by recording an adjustment of $28,390,000 to increase the redeemable noncontrolling interest. Such amount should have been reflected at December 31, 2013.
	The following table presents information about financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interest measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value:
		September 30, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	258		$	—		$	258
	Interest rate swaps (liabilities)	—			(1,113		)	(78,293		)	(79,406		)
	TRS (assets)	—			—			5,849			5,849
	TRS (liabilities)	—			—			(27,283		)	(27,283		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	—			—			6,590			6,590
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(186,834		)	(186,834		)
	Total	$	—		$	(855	)	$	(279,971	)	$	(280,826	)
		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	155		$	—		$	155
	Interest rate swaps (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 September 30, 2014, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at book value.
	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):
		Redeemable				Interest Rate				Net			Fair value			Total TRS			Total
		Noncontrolling				Swaps				TRS			adjustment			Related
		Interest											to the borrowings
													subject to TRS
		(in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(171,743	)		$	(97,360	)		$	(24,346	)	$	8,869		$	(15,477	)	$	(284,580	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	13,299				—				—			—			—			13,299
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				2,912			(2,279		)	633			633
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				19,067				—			—			—			19,067
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(28,390		)		—				—			—			—			(28,390		)
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	(186,834	)		$	(78,293	)		$	(21,434	)	$	6,590		$	(14,844	)	$	(279,971	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(240,790	)		$	(131,634	)		$	(6,108	)	$	9,890		$	3,782		$	(368,642	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	15,705				—				—			—			—			15,705
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				(432		)	(3,100		)	(3,532		)	(3,532		)
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				26,447				—			—			—			26,447
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(9,939		)		—				—			—			—			(9,939		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	(235,024	)		$	(105,187	)		$	(6,540	)	$	6,790		$	250		$	(339,961	)
	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 September 30, 2014:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value September 30, 2014			Valuation	Unobservable	Input Values
					Technique	Input
		(in thousands)
	Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	$	4,251		Potential future exposure	Credit spread	4.00%
	TRS	$	(21,434	)	Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 108.57
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	$	6,590		Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 108.57
	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.
	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 of development property held for sale:
		September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Fixed Rate Debt	$	2,892,316		$	3,241,230			$	3,281,337		$	3,488,406
Variable Rate Debt	1,824,080			1,820,368				1,998,169			1,954,136
Total	$	4,716,396		$	5,061,598			$	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).

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock	'
	Capital Stock
	On April 16, 2013, the Company entered into separate, privately negotiated exchange agreements with certain holders of its Puttable Equity-Linked Senior Notes due 2014 (“2014 Senior Notes”) to exchange such notes for Class A common stock. The noteholders exchanged $138,853,000 in aggregate principal amount of 2014 Senior Notes for a total of 9,549,721 shares of Class A common stock and a cash payment of $4,860,000 for additional exchange consideration, accrued interest and in lieu of fractional shares.
	On May 31, 2013, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture governing the 2014 Senior Notes, the Company issued a put termination notice to the noteholders. Pursuant to the Indenture, following the put termination notice, holders of the 2014 Senior Notes were permitted to put such notes to the Company through June 20, 2013. As of July 12, 2013, the last settlement date for noteholders to put the 2014 Senior Notes to the Company, $60,033,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2014 Senior Notes were put, for which noteholders received 4,128,806 shares of Class A common stock and cash payments totaling $1,088,000 for interest payable to October 15, 2013 and in lieu of fractional shares.
	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 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.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted 233,914 stock options, 602,602 shares of restricted stock and 309,750 performance shares under the Company’s 1994 Stock 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 September 30, 2014, $3,578,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 30 months, $19,662,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 31 months, and $9,596,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to performance shares is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 30 months.
	The amount of stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock option costs	$	698		$	674		$	2,677		$	2,574
	Restricted stock costs	2,833			2,722			9,136			8,737
	Performance share costs	1,087			736			3,027			1,811
	Total stock-based compensation costs	4,618			4,132			14,840			13,122
	Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	(1,490		)	(1,591		)	(4,110		)	(4,690		)
	Amount charged to operating expenses	3,128			2,541			10,730			8,432
	Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	139			241			586			710
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	3,267		$	2,782		$	11,316		$	9,142
	Deferred income tax benefit	$	1,214		$	1,009		$	4,235		$	3,342
	The amount of grant-date fair value expensed immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible grantees during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1,358,000 and $973,000, respectively.
	In connection with the vesting of restricted stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased 205,568 shares and 183,375 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 $3,800,000 and $3,226,000, respectively.

WriteOff_of_Abandoned_Developm

Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects and Demolition Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Write-off of Abandoned Development Projects and Demolition Costs [Abstract]	'
Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects and Demolition Costs [Text Block]	'
	Write-Offs of Abandoned Development Projects and Demolition Costs
	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 the project will not be developed, its project costs and other related expenses are written off 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 recorded write-offs of abandoned development projects and demolition costs of $456,000 and $1,389,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $3,459,000 and $17,012,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Non-capitalizable demolition costs of $456,000 and $1,106,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $155,000 for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are included in write-offs of abandoned development projects and demolition costs.

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 for impairment whenever events or changes indicate 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 including future estimated net operating income, estimated holding periods, risk of foreclosure and estimated cash proceeds 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 future periods.
	The impairments recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 represent write-downs to estimated fair value due to a change in events, such as a change in strategy for certain assets, bona fide third-party purchase offers or changes in certain assumptions, including estimated holding periods and current market conditions and the impact of these assumptions to the properties’ estimated future cash flows.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s impairment of real estate included in continuing operations:
			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014			2013		2014		2013
			(in thousands)
	Avenue at Tower City Center (Specialty Retail Center)	Cleveland, Ohio	$	—		$	—	$	72,473	$	—
	Office Buildings:
	Terminal Tower	Cleveland, Ohio	—			—		42,208		—
	Post Office Plaza	Cleveland, Ohio	—			—		14,378		—
	Other		966			—		1,736		1,175
			$	966		$	—	$	130,795	$	1,175
	The Company continues to execute its strategy of focusing on core products located in core markets. In executing this strategy, the Company began serious negotiations for the sale of several operating assets in Cleveland, Ohio during the three months ended June 30, 2014. At June 30, 2014, discussions with a potential purchaser were at various stages for each of the assets and remained subject to further negotiation and applicable due diligence periods. Based on the advanced status of the discussions, the Company reviewed and adjusted the estimated holding periods of each applicable asset and in each case increased the likelihood of a near term sale. As a result, the estimated probability weighted undiscounted cash flows no longer exceed the carrying value of certain assets, requiring the Company to adjust the carrying value of those assets as noted in the above table, to their estimated fair value. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the negotiations with the potential buyer ceased, as mutually agreeable terms could not be reached.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded an impairment of $6,870,000 related to an investment in a triple net lease property in Kansas City, Missouri, which is included in discontinued operations. This impairment represents a write-down to estimated fair value due to a bona fide third-party purchase offer.
	The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the impairment of real estate (including discontinued operations) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value of Real Estate			Valuation	Unobservable	Range
					Technique	Input	of Input Values
		(in thousands)
	September 30, 2014
	Impairment of real estate	$	44,200		Discounted Cash Flows	Market Capitalization Rate	8.0% - 10.0%
						Discount Rate	10.5% - 12.0%
	Impairment of real estate	$	38,750		Indicative Bids	Indicative Bids	N/A (1)
	September 30, 2013
	Impairment of real estate	$	8,029		Indicative Bids	Indicative Bids	N/A (1)
	-1	This fair value measurement was derived from bona fide purchase offers from third party prospective buyers, subject to the Company’s corroboration for reasonableness.
	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, assumptions that may be used 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Net_Gain_Loss_on_Land_Held_for

Net Gain (Loss) on Land Held for Divestiture Activity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Land Held for Divestiture disclosures [Abstract]	'
Land Held for Divestiture	'
	Net Gain (Loss) 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 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 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 (loss) on land held for divestiture activity of consolidated entities:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sales of land held for divestiture	$	75		$	11,981
	Cost of sales of land held for divestiture	—			(1,744		)
	Gain on extinguishment of debt of land held for divestiture	—			2,146
	Net gain on closed transactions of land held for divestiture	75			12,383
	Bad debt expense	(9,000		)	(9,000		)
	Net gain (loss) on land held for divestiture activity	$	(8,925	)	$	3,383
	The Company had a note receivable (the “Note”) collateralized by a 1,000 acre land parcel in North Carolina that was in default at September 30, 2013. Negotiations were ongoing to cure the default; however, the Company had no assurance the payee had the intent to pay the Note in full. Accordingly, the Company established a reserve on the Note to reflect the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral of approximately $4,100,000. As a result, bad debt expense of $9,000,000 ($8,300,000, net of noncontrolling interest and $4,980,000, after tax) was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. On December 31, 2013, the Company received the underlying collateral in a deed in lieu transaction in full satisfaction of the Note.
	The Company recorded net gains on land held for divestiture activity of unconsolidated entities of $79,000 and $2,590,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

Gain_Loss_on_Extinguishment_of

Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Extinguishment of Debt Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt [Text Block]	'
	Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $49,000 and $927,000, respectively, as loss on extinguishment of debt. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $23,666,000 and $18,718,000, respectively, as gain on extinguishment of debt. The amounts for 2013 primarily relate to a $24,669,000 gain on the extinguishment of nonrecourse debt at Ten MetroTech Center partially offset by a $4,762,000 loss on the exchange of the 2014 Senior Notes for Class A common stock.

Net_Loss_on_Disposition_of_Par

Net Loss on Disposition of Partial Interest in Development Project	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Net Loss on Disposition of Partial Interest in Development Project [Abstract]	'
Net Loss on Disposition of Partial Interest in Development Project	'
	Net Loss on Disposition of Partial Interest in Development Project
	On June 30, 2014, the Company entered into a joint venture with Greenland Atlantic Yards, LLC, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based Greenland Holding Group Company Limited (“Greenland”), to develop Pacific Park Brooklyn, a 22 acre mixed-use project in Brooklyn, New York. The joint venture will execute on the remaining development rights of the entire project, including the infrastructure and vertical construction of the residential units, but excludes Barclays Center arena and the under-construction B2 BKLYN apartment community. Under the joint venture, Greenland acquired 70% of the project and will co-develop the project with the Company, along with sharing in the entire project costs going forward in proportion to ownership interests. For its 70% equity interest, Greenland invested cash and assumed 70% of the nonrecourse mortgage debt on the project. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had received $203,923,000 of cash, net of transaction costs, related to the disposition. The transaction resulted in a net loss on disposition of partial interest in development project of $19,590,000 ($16,211,000, net of noncontrolling interests) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Upon closing, the Company determined it was not the primary beneficiary of the joint venture. As a result, the Company deconsolidated the Pacific Park Brooklyn development project and accounts for the joint venture on the equity method of accounting.

Net_Gain_Loss_on_Disposition_o

Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties [Abstract]	'
Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties	'
	Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties
	The net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties is comprised of the following:
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Stapleton - 3055 Roslyn (Office Building)	$	(146	)	$	—	$	(146	)	$	—
	QIC Joint Venture	—			381,627		(467		)	381,627
	New York Retail Joint Venture	—			4,932		—			4,932
		$	(146	)	$	386,559	$	(613	)	$	386,559
	As discussed in Note A – Accounting Policies, the Company adopted new discontinued operations accounting guidance effective April 1, 2014. As a result, the sale of Stapleton - 3055 Roslyn, a fully consolidated office building in Denver, Colorado, during the three months ended September 30, 2014 did not qualify for discontinued operations. The loss on the sale of this property is included in net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. Prior to the three months ended September 30, 2014, full disposals of consolidated real estate assets qualified for and were recorded as discontinued operations and accordingly, were excluded from this financial statement line item.
	QIC Joint Venture
	In September 2013, the Company entered into joint venture agreements with outside partners, affiliated entities of QIC, one of the largest institutional investment managers in Australia. The outside partners invested in and received 49% of the Company’s equity interests in seven regional retail malls.
	For its 49% equity interests, the outside partner invested cash and assumed debt of $448,900,000, representing 49% of the nonrecourse mortgage debt on the seven properties. As of September 30, 2013, the Company received approximately $412,300,000 of proceeds, net of transaction costs, of which approximately $188,200,000 represented cash, with the remainder being in the form of a loan. Based on the amount of cash received, the outside partners’ minimum initial investment requirement was met and the transaction qualified for full gain recognition. As such, the Company recognized a net gain on disposition of partial interest in rental properties of $381,627,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The seven properties are adequately capitalized and do not contain the characteristics of a VIE. Based on this and the substantive participating rights held by the outside partners with regards to the properties, the Company concluded it appropriate to deconsolidate the entities and account for them under the equity method of accounting. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and prior to admitting the outside party into the joint ventures, the Company acquired noncontrolling interests in two of the regional retail malls for approximately $92,400,000, which has been reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Equity.
	New York Retail Joint Venture
	In March 2011, the Company entered into joint venture agreements with an outside partner, an affiliated entity of Madison International Realty LLC. The outside partner invested in and received a 49% equity interest in 15 mature retail properties located in the Greater New York City metropolitan area.
	For its 49% equity interests, the outside partner invested cash and assumed debt of $244,952,000, representing 49% of the nonrecourse mortgage debt on the 15 properties. As of January 31, 2012, the Company received proceeds of $178,286,000, primarily in the form of a loan. Based on the net amount of cash received, the outside partner’s minimum initial investment requirement of 20% was not met. Since the transaction did not qualify for full gain recognition, the installment method of gain recognition was applied and a net gain on disposition of partial interest in rental properties of $9,561,000 was recorded during the year ended January 31, 2012. As of January 31, 2013, the remaining gain of $114,465,000 continued to be deferred and was included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company used distribution proceeds from the joint ventures to pay down a portion of the loan, which increases the net cash received for purposes of measuring whether full gain recognition is appropriate. However, the outside partner’s investment requirement was still not met and the installment method of gain recognition was continued to be applied, resulting in an additional net gain on disposition of partial interest in rental properties of $4,932,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The remaining $109,533,000 of gain, which continued to be deferred at September 30, 2013, was recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense (benefit) was $(365,000) and $144,955,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $(43,381,000) and $117,820,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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
	See Note A – Accounting Policies for discussion of adoption of new discontinued operations accounting guidance during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	The following table summarizes the rental properties included in discontinued operations:
	Property	Location	Square Feet/ Number of Units	Period Disposed	Three Months Ended 9/30/14	Nine Months Ended 9/30/14	Three Months Ended 9/30/13	Nine Months Ended 9/30/13
	Commercial Group:
	Promenade Bolingbrook	Bolingbrook, Illinois	771,000 square feet	Q2-2014 (1)	—	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Quartermaster Plaza	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	456,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	Albuquerque, New Mexico	87,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Orchard Town Center	Westminster, Colorado	603,000 square feet	Q4-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Colorado Studios	Denver, Colorado	75,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Higbee Building	Cleveland, Ohio	815,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Sheraton Station Square	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	399 rooms	Q3-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Two triple net lease properties	Various	138,000 square feet	Various (2)	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Residential Group:
	Millender Center	Detroit, Michigan	339 units	Q1-2013	—	—	—	Yes
	-1	Classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2014.
	-2	Includes one triple net lease property disposed of during Q4-2013 and one triple net lease property disposed of during Q1-2013.
	The following table summarizes the operating results related to discontinued operations:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—		$	11,997			$	7,034		$	58,423
	Expenses
	Operating expenses	—			6,593				3,026			32,689
	Depreciation and amortization	—			3,048				987			11,523
	Impairment of real estate	—			6,870				—			6,870
		—			16,511				4,013			51,082
	Interest expense	—			(3,436		)		(5,538		)	(11,266		)
	Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	—			(122		)		(41		)	(483		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—				(448		)	(40		)
	Interest and other income	—			37				—			263
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			22,460				28,100			43,931
	Earnings before income taxes	—			14,425				25,094			39,746
	Income tax expense	—			8,754				12,082			16,517
	Earnings from discontinued operations	—			5,671				13,012			23,229
	Noncontrolling interest
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			125				58			5,960
	Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	—			10				(8		)	74
		—			135				50			6,034
	Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	—		$	5,536			$	12,962		$	17,195
	The following table summarizes the pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Quartermaster Plaza (Specialty Retail Center)	$	—		$	—			$	26,373		$	—
	Promenade Bolingbrook (Regional Mall)	—			—				1,276			—
	Office Buildings:
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	—			—				451			—
	Higbee Building	—			2,922				—			2,922
	Colorado Studios	—			1,239				—			1,239
	Sheraton Station Square (Hotel)	—			18,096				—			18,096
	Millender Center (Apartment Community)	—			—				—			21,660
	Other	—			203				—			14
		$	—		$	22,460			$	28,100		$	43,931
	Gain on Disposition of Unconsolidated Entities
	Gains and losses on the disposition of investments accounted for on the equity method are included in equity in earnings and are summarized in the following table:
			Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014			2013				2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Mall at Stonecrest (Regional Mall)	Atlanta, Georgia	$	7,952		$	—			$	7,952		$	—
	Liberty Center (Office Building)	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	1,237			1,540				1,237			1,540
	Westin Convention Center (Hotel)	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	—			32,741				—			32,741
	Specialty Retail Centers:
Golden Gate	Mayfield Heights, Ohio	—			—				16,440			—
Plaza at Robinson Town Center	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	—			—				—			(1,510		)
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			—
Other		—			—				(350		)	—
		$	9,189		$	34,281			$	50,075		$	32,771

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 (“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 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 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 September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerators (in thousands)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	686		$	236,320		$	(89,748	)	$	170,130
	Preferred dividends	—			—			—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(17		)	(6,759		)	—			(5,021		)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	669		$	229,561		$	(89,748	)	$	164,924
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	17			6,759			—			5,021
	Interest on convertible debt	—			4,005			—			10,946
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	686		$	240,325		$	(89,748	)	$	180,891
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	686		$	241,856		$	(76,786	)	$	187,325
	Preferred dividends	—			—			—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(17		)	(6,917		)	—			(5,530		)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	669		$	234,939		$	(76,786	)	$	181,610
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	17			6,917			—			5,530
	Interest on convertible debt	—			4,005			—			10,946
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	686		$	245,861		$	(76,786	)	$	198,086
	Denominators
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Basic	198,893,584			197,442,451			198,328,900			190,919,579
	Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	1,758,916			1,804,200			—			1,684,332
	Effect of convertible debt	—			29,877,940			—			29,813,775
	Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	2,973,190			3,646,755			—			3,646,755
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Diluted (1)	203,625,690			232,771,346			198,328,900			226,064,441
	Earnings Per Share
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	—		$	1.16		$	(0.45	)	$	0.86
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	—		$	1.03		$	(0.45	)	$	0.8
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	—		$	1.19		$	(0.39	)	$	0.95
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	—		$	1.06		$	(0.39	)	$	0.88
	-1	Convertible securities of 32,138,215 for the three months ended September 30, 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 37,238,228 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of preferred stock of 185,199 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares of 3,240,497 and 3,470,348 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and 3,455,487 and 3,514,529 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The following tables summarize financial data for the Company’s reportable operating segments. All amounts are presented in thousands.
		September 30, 2014			31-Dec-13
		Identifiable Assets
	Commercial Group	$	4,099,605		$	5,120,360
	Residential Group	2,789,605			2,468,708
	Arena	969,020			984,937
	Land Development Group	267,392			260,070
	Corporate Activities	83,308			117,950
		$	8,208,930		$	8,952,025
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
		Revenues												Operating Expenses
	Commercial Group	$	129,345		$	160,965		$	383,221		$	511,767		$	70,224		$	85,986		$	224,929		$	283,313
	Residential Group	63,303			69,423			190,525			196,704			43,704			50,081			127,046			145,105
	Arena	25,039			25,277			84,968			76,270			17,105			16,286			55,399			56,596
	Land Development Group	17,056			21,028			55,203			39,833			5,358			15,155			24,307			29,230
	Corporate Activities	—			—			—			—			13,763			13,994			35,383			38,531
		$	234,743		$	276,693		$	713,917		$	824,574		$	150,154		$	181,502		$	467,064		$	552,775
		Depreciation and Amortization												Interest Expense
	Commercial Group	$	29,304		$	62,961		$	91,756		$	162,748		$	31,093		$	49,465		$	97,938		$	148,893
	Residential Group	16,608			15,748			49,660			45,769			8,030			8,241			23,032			24,957
	Arena	8,793			8,699			25,999			25,073			10,895			9,492			30,101			27,767
	Land Development Group	88			99			269			528			(287		)	97			(572		)	(341		)
	Corporate Activities	718			725			2,154			2,370			9,581			14,958			28,418			45,556
		$	55,511		$	88,232		$	169,838		$	236,488		$	59,312		$	82,253		$	178,917		$	246,832
		Interest and Other Income												Capital Expenditures
	Commercial Group	$	1,579		$	4,989		$	5,585		$	9,059		$	17,655		$	35,051		$	98,033		$	143,675
	Residential Group	5,101			6,110			18,145			18,371			62,795			58,074			207,644			155,774
	Arena	—			—			—			—			2,890			11,752			9,442			44,665
	Land Development Group	3,384			3,793			10,091			9,725			20			—			36			829
	Corporate Activities	32			65			153			227			—			—			15			452
		$	10,096		$	14,957		$	33,974		$	37,382		$	83,360		$	104,877		$	315,170		$	345,395
	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 September 30, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	12,190		$	5,512		$	(5,575	)	$	13,171		$	(24,612	)	$	686
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	41,725			24,175			4,986			41			—			70,927
	Net loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	173			—			—			—			—			173
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(9,189		)	—			—			—			—			(9,189		)
	Income tax expense on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			3,310			3,310
	FFO	$	44,899		$	29,687		$	(589	)	$	13,212		$	(21,302	)	$	65,907
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	427,001		$	3,857		$	(5,092	)	$	(376	)	$	(183,534	)	$	241,856
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	72,451			22,099			4,956			47			—			99,553
	Net gain on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	(386,559		)	—			—			—			—			(386,559		)
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(34,281		)	—			—			—			—			(34,281		)
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	3,039			5			—			—			—			3,044
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(22,132		)	(203		)	—			—			—			(22,335		)
	Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	6,870			—			—			—			—			6,870
	Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			172,926			172,926
	Impairment of depreciable real estate	—			—			—			—			(2,668		)	(2,668		)
	FFO	$	66,389		$	25,758		$	(136	)	$	(329	)	$	(13,276	)	$	78,406
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
						Group
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(111,414	)	$	48,613		$	(13,378	)	$	36,257		$	(36,864	)	$	(76,786	)
Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	130,198			71,367			14,927			116			—			216,608
Net loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	640			—			—			—			—			640
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(25,279		)	(24,796		)	—			—			—			(50,075		)
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	129,059			—			—			—			—			129,059
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	986			—			—			—			—			986
Gain on disposition of rental properties	(28,042		)	—			—			—			—			(28,042		)
Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			32,028			32,028
Impairment of depreciable real estate	—			—			—			—			(50,053		)	(50,053		)
FFO	$	96,148		$	95,184		$	1,549		$	36,373		$	(54,889	)	$	174,365
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
	Group			Group						Development			Activities
										Group
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	380,743		$	25,055		$	(18,135	)	$	28,366		$	(228,889	)	$	187,140
Preferred dividends	—			—			—			—			185			185
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	380,743		$	25,055		$	(18,135	)	$	28,366		$	(228,704	)	$	187,325
Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	190,059			68,083			14,505			428			—			273,075
Net gain on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	(386,559		)	—			—			—			—			(386,559		)
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(32,771		)	—			—			—			—			(32,771		)
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	—			1,175			—			—			—			1,175
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	11,372			176			—			—			—			11,548
Gain on disposition of rental properties	(21,943		)	(16,028		)	—			—			—			(37,971		)
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	6,870			—			—			—			—			6,870
Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			178,398			178,398
Impairment of depreciable real estate	—			—			—			—			(3,124		)	(3,124		)
FFO	$	147,771		$	78,461		$	(3,630	)	$	28,794		$	(53,430	)	$	197,966

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Change in Year-End	'
	Change in Year-End
	The Company changed its year-end to December 31 from January 31, effective December 31, 2013. As a result, the financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are presented to allow for comparison between periods. The Company believes the change was 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 (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) 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.
	In April 2013, management approved a plan to demolish Ten MetroTech Center, an office building in Brooklyn, New York, to clear the land for redevelopment or sale. Accordingly, the original useful life, estimated to expire in 2042, was adjusted to expire at the demolition date in October 2013, which resulted in $25,421,000 and $44,397,000 of accelerated depreciation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company established several new financial statement line items within the Revenue and Expense sections of the Consolidated Statement of Operations to provide the financial statement user additional details of the components of total revenues and total expenses. Accordingly, comparable amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 have been reclassified.
	The new financial statement lines discussed above and a brief description of their components not previously disclosed include the following:
	Rental - Tenant rental revenues and overage rents from operating properties, lease termination income and the adjustment to recognize minimum rents using the straight-line method.
	Tenant recoveries - Recoveries from commercial tenants for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other commercial property operating expenses.
	Service and management fees - Management, leasing, finance, development and other service fee revenue.
	Parking and other - Revenues derived from monthly and transient tenant parking and other revenue.
	Land sales - Sales of land to residential, commercial and industrial customers, primarily at the Company’s Stapleton project, and sales of commercial and residential outlots adjacent to the Company’s operating property portfolio.
	Property operating and management - Expenses incurred at the operating property level and general business unit expenses including non-capitalizable development costs and management and service company expenses.
	Ground rent - Expenses related to ground leases, including participation payments under the ground lease. Participation payments are triggered by defined events within the respective lease agreements and may include refinancings, sales or other capital transactions. Also includes the adjustment to recognize ground rent expenses using the straight-line method.
	Cost of land sales - Cost of land associated with land sales.
	Corporate general and administrative - Expenses related to the Company’s Corporate segment.
	In addition, The Nets operating segment information as of December 31, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 September 30, 2014, the Company determined it was the primary beneficiary of 23 VIEs representing 19 properties, which are consolidated. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company’s general credit. As of September 30, 2014, the Company owns variable interests in 62 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 $258,000,000 at September 30, 2014.
New Accounting Guidance	'
	New Accounting Guidance
	The following accounting pronouncements were adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 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.
	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 that annual period. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance was early adopted effective April 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is expected to substantially reduce the number of property disposals that qualify for discontinued operations as compared to historical results.
	The following new accounting pronouncements will be adopted on their respective effective dates:
	In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance on disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This guidance requires management to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide disclosures under certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of this guidance is an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance defines steps an entity should apply to achieve the core principle. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim reporting periods within that annual period and allows for both retrospective and modified retrospective methods of adoption. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently in the process of determining the method of adoption and evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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”):
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$	111		$	189
	Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts (1)	100,140			125,059
		100,251			125,248
	Income tax benefit	(38,840		)	(48,517		)
	Noncontrolling interest	(103		)	(149		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$	61,308		$	76,582
	-1	Included in the amounts as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are $78,293 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)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	—		$	(116	)	$	(76,466	)	$	(76,582	)
	OCI before reclassifications	—			48			11,773			11,821
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			3,453			3,453
	Total other comprehensive income	—			48			15,226			15,274
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	—		$	(68	)	$	(61,240	)	$	(61,308	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(226	)	$	—		$	(107,588	)	$	(107,814	)
	OCI before reclassifications	678			(116		)	21,118			21,680
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			—			3,590			3,590
	Total other comprehensive income	678			(116		)	24,708			25,270
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	452		$	(116	)	$	(82,880	)	$	(82,544	)
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:
	Accumulated OCI Components	Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI				Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations
		(in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Interest rate contracts	$	1,956			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	3,666				Discontinued operations
	Interest rate contracts	44				Equity in earnings
		5,666				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(2,187		)		Income tax benefit
		(26		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	3,453			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Interest rate contracts	$	5,788			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	88				Equity in earnings
		5,876				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(2,274		)		Income tax benefit
		(12		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	3,590			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
Supplemental non-cash disclosures	'
	The following table represents a summary of non-cash transactions including, but not limited to, dispositions of operating properties whereby the nonrecourse mortgage debt is assumed by the buyer, exchange of Units or senior debt for Class A common stock, conversion of Series A preferred stock to Class A common stock, changes in consolidation methods due to the occurrence of triggering events including, but not limited to, disposition of a partial interest in rental properties or development projects or acquisition of a partner’s interest, change in construction payables, change in the fair market value of redeemable noncontrolling interest and capitalization of stock-based compensation granted to employees directly involved with the development and construction of real estate.
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Investing Activities
	Decrease in projects under construction and development	$	351,905		$	20,919
	Decrease in completed rental properties	136,008			853,875
	(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(20		)	4,326
	Increase in notes and accounts receivable	(2,728		)	—
	Increase in investments in and advances to affiliates	(122,663		)	(34,885		)
	Total effect on investing activities	$	362,502		$	844,235
	Financing Activities
	Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	10,683		$	—
	Decrease in nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	(342,960		)	(868,342		)
	Decrease in convertible senior debt	—			(218,675		)
	Decrease in preferred stock	—			(5,489		)
	Increase in Class A common stock	225			4,681
	Increase in additional paid-in capital	34,741			179,617
	Increase in treasury stock	—			(12,868		)
	Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interest	28,390			9,939
	(Decrease) increase in noncontrolling interest	(73,535		)	32,059
	Total effect on financing activities	$	(342,456	)	$	(879,078	)

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl1

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 as of September 30, 2014:
	Years Ending December 31,
		(in thousands)
	2014	$	150,918
	2015	434,791
	2016	97,015
	2017	1,123,937
	2018	274,608
	Thereafter	1,935,127
	Total	$	4,016,396

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Tabl

Revolving Credit Facility (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Available credit on the Credit Facility	'
	The following table summarizes available credit on the Credit Facility:
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Maximum borrowings	$	500,000	$	500,000
	Less outstanding balances:
	Borrowings	—		—
	Letters of credit	86,858		59,760
	Surety bonds	—		—
	Available credit	$	413,142	$	440,240

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Tables

Convertible Senior Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Convertible Senior Debt	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s convertible senior debt:
		September 30, 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	$	700,000	$	700,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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
		September 30, 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 caps	$	330,000		$	208			$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—			—				870,995			79,406
	TRS	130,970			5,226				227,785			11,816
	Total	$	460,970		$	5,434			$	1,098,780		$	91,222
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	266,925		$	50			$	—		$	—
	TRS	76,482			623				38,987			15,467
	Total	$	343,407		$	673			$	38,987		$	15,467
		December 31, 2013
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—			$	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 September 30, 2014
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	11,243			Interest expense	$	(594	)	$	(1	)
	Interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(14		)	—
	Total	$	11,243				$	(608	)	$	(1	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	19,253			Interest expense	$	(1,955	)	$	(1	)
	Interest rate swap	—				Discontinued operations	—			(3,666		)
	Interest rate swaps	—				Equity in earnings	(44		)	—
	Total	$	19,253				$	(1,999	)	$	(3,667	)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	2,817			Interest expense	$	(902	)	$	(2,963	)
	Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and Treasury options	—				Equity in earnings	(15		)	—
	Total	$	2,817				$	(917	)	$	(2,963	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	34,506			Interest expense	$	(2,825	)	$	(2,963	)
	Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and Treasury options	—				Equity in earnings	(93		)	5
	Total	$	34,506				$	(2,918	)	$	(2,958	)
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 September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
	TRS (1)	$	68		$	2,996			$	2,279		$	3,100
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	62		$	—			$	(41	)	$	(239	)
	TRS	(42		)	(1,807		)		633			(3,532		)
	Total	$	20		$	(1,807	)		$	592		$	(3,771	)
	-1	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TRS borrowings was $(68) and $(2,279) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $(2,996) and $(3,100) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, offsetting the gain (loss) recognized on the TRS.
Collateral Posted for Derivatives in Liability Positions	'
	The following table presents information about collateral posted for derivatives in liability positions as of September 30, 2014:
		Collateral Information
		Notional Amount			Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk			Nonperformance Risk			Collateral Posted			Nature of Collateral	Credit Risk Contingent Feature
		(in thousands)
	Property Specific Swaps	$	670,995		$	83,580		$	(4,340	)	$	—		Mortgage liens	None
	TRS	266,772			27,206			77			52,015			Restricted cash, securities, notes receivable, letters of credit	None
	Corporate Aggregate Swaps	200,000			166			—			170			Restricted cash	Credit rating
	Totals	$	1,137,767		$	110,952		$	(4,263	)	$	52,185

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value:
		September 30, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	258		$	—		$	258
	Interest rate swaps (liabilities)	—			(1,113		)	(78,293		)	(79,406		)
	TRS (assets)	—			—			5,849			5,849
	TRS (liabilities)	—			—			(27,283		)	(27,283		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	—			—			6,590			6,590
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(186,834		)	(186,834		)
	Total	$	—		$	(855	)	$	(279,971	)	$	(280,826	)
		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps	$	—		$	155		$	—		$	155
	Interest rate swaps (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 September 30, 2014, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at book value.
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):
		Redeemable				Interest Rate				Net			Fair value			Total TRS			Total
		Noncontrolling				Swaps				TRS			adjustment			Related
		Interest											to the borrowings
													subject to TRS
		(in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(171,743	)		$	(97,360	)		$	(24,346	)	$	8,869		$	(15,477	)	$	(284,580	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	13,299				—				—			—			—			13,299
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				2,912			(2,279		)	633			633
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				19,067				—			—			—			19,067
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(28,390		)		—				—			—			—			(28,390		)
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	(186,834	)		$	(78,293	)		$	(21,434	)	$	6,590		$	(14,844	)	$	(279,971	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	(240,790	)		$	(131,634	)		$	(6,108	)	$	9,890		$	3,782		$	(368,642	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	15,705				—				—			—			—			15,705
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				(432		)	(3,100		)	(3,532		)	(3,532		)
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				26,447				—			—			—			26,447
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(9,939		)		—				—			—			—			(9,939		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	(235,024	)		$	(105,187	)		$	(6,540	)	$	6,790		$	250		$	(339,961	)
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 September 30, 2014:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value September 30, 2014			Valuation	Unobservable	Input Values
					Technique	Input
		(in thousands)
	Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	$	4,251		Potential future exposure	Credit spread	4.00%
	TRS	$	(21,434	)	Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 108.57
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS	$	6,590		Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 108.57
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 of development property held for sale:
		September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Fixed Rate Debt	$	2,892,316		$	3,241,230			$	3,281,337		$	3,488,406
	Variable Rate Debt	1,824,080			1,820,368				1,998,169			1,954,136
	Total	$	4,716,396		$	5,061,598			$	5,279,506		$	5,442,542

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock option costs	$	698		$	674		$	2,677		$	2,574
	Restricted stock costs	2,833			2,722			9,136			8,737
	Performance share costs	1,087			736			3,027			1,811
	Total stock-based compensation costs	4,618			4,132			14,840			13,122
	Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	(1,490		)	(1,591		)	(4,110		)	(4,690		)
	Amount charged to operating expenses	3,128			2,541			10,730			8,432
	Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	139			241			586			710
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	3,267		$	2,782		$	11,316		$	9,142
	Deferred income tax benefit	$	1,214		$	1,009		$	4,235		$	3,342

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_1

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Continuing Operations	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s impairment of real estate included in continuing operations:
			Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014			2013		2014		2013
			(in thousands)
	Avenue at Tower City Center (Specialty Retail Center)	Cleveland, Ohio	$	—		$	—	$	72,473	$	—
	Office Buildings:
	Terminal Tower	Cleveland, Ohio	—			—		42,208		—
	Post Office Plaza	Cleveland, Ohio	—			—		14,378		—
	Other		966			—		1,736		1,175
			$	966		$	—	$	130,795	$	1,175
Unobservable Inputs Used to Determine the Fair Value of the Non-recurring Impairment of Real Estate	'
	The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the impairment of real estate (including discontinued operations) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value of Real Estate			Valuation	Unobservable	Range
					Technique	Input	of Input Values
		(in thousands)
	September 30, 2014
	Impairment of real estate	$	44,200		Discounted Cash Flows	Market Capitalization Rate	8.0% - 10.0%
						Discount Rate	10.5% - 12.0%
	Impairment of real estate	$	38,750		Indicative Bids	Indicative Bids	N/A (1)
	September 30, 2013
	Impairment of real estate	$	8,029		Indicative Bids	Indicative Bids	N/A (1)
	-1	This fair value measurement was derived from bona fide purchase offers from third party prospective buyers, subject to the Company’s corroboration for reasonableness.

Recovered_Sheet1

Net Gain (Loss) on Land held for Divestiture Activity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Land Held for Divestiture disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Land Held for Divestiture Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the net gain (loss) on land held for divestiture activity of consolidated entities:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sales of land held for divestiture	$	75		$	11,981
	Cost of sales of land held for divestiture	—			(1,744		)
	Gain on extinguishment of debt of land held for divestiture	—			2,146
	Net gain on closed transactions of land held for divestiture	75			12,383
	Bad debt expense	(9,000		)	(9,000		)
	Net gain (loss) on land held for divestiture activity	$	(8,925	)	$	3,383

Net_Gain_Loss_on_Disposition_o1

Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Partial Interest in Rental Properties [Table Text Block]	'
	The net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties is comprised of the following:
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Stapleton - 3055 Roslyn (Office Building)	$	(146	)	$	—	$	(146	)	$	—
	QIC Joint Venture	—			381,627		(467		)	381,627
	New York Retail Joint Venture	—			4,932		—			4,932
		$	(146	)	$	386,559	$	(613	)	$	386,559

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga1

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 9/30/14	Nine Months Ended 9/30/14	Three Months Ended 9/30/13	Nine Months Ended 9/30/13
	Commercial Group:
	Promenade Bolingbrook	Bolingbrook, Illinois	771,000 square feet	Q2-2014 (1)	—	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Quartermaster Plaza	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	456,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	Albuquerque, New Mexico	87,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Orchard Town Center	Westminster, Colorado	603,000 square feet	Q4-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Colorado Studios	Denver, Colorado	75,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Higbee Building	Cleveland, Ohio	815,000 square feet	Q3-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Sheraton Station Square	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	399 rooms	Q3-2013	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Two triple net lease properties	Various	138,000 square feet	Various (2)	—	—	Yes	Yes
	Residential Group:
	Millender Center	Detroit, Michigan	339 units	Q1-2013	—	—	—	Yes
	-1	Classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2014.
	-2	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 following table summarizes the operating results related to discontinued operations:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—		$	11,997			$	7,034		$	58,423
	Expenses
	Operating expenses	—			6,593				3,026			32,689
	Depreciation and amortization	—			3,048				987			11,523
	Impairment of real estate	—			6,870				—			6,870
		—			16,511				4,013			51,082
	Interest expense	—			(3,436		)		(5,538		)	(11,266		)
	Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	—			(122		)		(41		)	(483		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—				(448		)	(40		)
	Interest and other income	—			37				—			263
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			22,460				28,100			43,931
	Earnings before income taxes	—			14,425				25,094			39,746
	Income tax expense	—			8,754				12,082			16,517
	Earnings from discontinued operations	—			5,671				13,012			23,229
	Noncontrolling interest
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			125				58			5,960
	Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	—			10				(8		)	74
		—			135				50			6,034
	Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	—		$	5,536			$	12,962		$	17,195
Pre-tax Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties	'
	The following table summarizes the pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Quartermaster Plaza (Specialty Retail Center)	$	—		$	—			$	26,373		$	—
	Promenade Bolingbrook (Regional Mall)	—			—				1,276			—
	Office Buildings:
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	—			—				451			—
	Higbee Building	—			2,922				—			2,922
	Colorado Studios	—			1,239				—			1,239
	Sheraton Station Square (Hotel)	—			18,096				—			18,096
	Millender Center (Apartment Community)	—			—				—			21,660
	Other	—			203				—			14
		$	—		$	22,460			$	28,100		$	43,931
Gain on Disposition of Unconsolidated Entities	'
	Gains and losses on the disposition of investments accounted for on the equity method are included in equity in earnings and are summarized in the following table:
			Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014			2013				2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Mall at Stonecrest (Regional Mall)	Atlanta, Georgia	$	7,952		$	—			$	7,952		$	—
	Liberty Center (Office Building)	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	1,237			1,540				1,237			1,540
	Westin Convention Center (Hotel)	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	—			32,741				—			32,741
	Specialty Retail Centers:
	Golden Gate	Mayfield Heights, Ohio	—			—				16,440			—
	Plaza at Robinson Town Center	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	—			—				—			(1,510		)
	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			—
	Other		—			—				(350		)	—
			$	9,189		$	34,281			$	50,075		$	32,771

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerators (in thousands)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	686		$	236,320		$	(89,748	)	$	170,130
	Preferred dividends	—			—			—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(17		)	(6,759		)	—			(5,021		)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	669		$	229,561		$	(89,748	)	$	164,924
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	17			6,759			—			5,021
	Interest on convertible debt	—			4,005			—			10,946
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	686		$	240,325		$	(89,748	)	$	180,891
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	686		$	241,856		$	(76,786	)	$	187,325
	Preferred dividends	—			—			—			(185		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(17		)	(6,917		)	—			(5,530		)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	669		$	234,939		$	(76,786	)	$	181,610
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	17			6,917			—			5,530
	Interest on convertible debt	—			4,005			—			10,946
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	686		$	245,861		$	(76,786	)	$	198,086
	Denominators
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Basic	198,893,584			197,442,451			198,328,900			190,919,579
	Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	1,758,916			1,804,200			—			1,684,332
	Effect of convertible debt	—			29,877,940			—			29,813,775
	Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	2,973,190			3,646,755			—			3,646,755
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Diluted (1)	203,625,690			232,771,346			198,328,900			226,064,441
	Earnings Per Share
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	—		$	1.16		$	(0.45	)	$	0.86
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	—		$	1.03		$	(0.45	)	$	0.8
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	—		$	1.19		$	(0.39	)	$	0.95
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	—		$	1.06		$	(0.39	)	$	0.88
	-1	Convertible securities of 32,138,215 for the three months ended September 30, 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 37,238,228 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of preferred stock of 185,199 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares of 3,240,497 and 3,470,348 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and 3,455,487 and 3,514,529 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 are presented in thousands.
		September 30, 2014			31-Dec-13
		Identifiable Assets
	Commercial Group	$	4,099,605		$	5,120,360
	Residential Group	2,789,605			2,468,708
	Arena	969,020			984,937
	Land Development Group	267,392			260,070
	Corporate Activities	83,308			117,950
		$	8,208,930		$	8,952,025
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
		Revenues												Operating Expenses
	Commercial Group	$	129,345		$	160,965		$	383,221		$	511,767		$	70,224		$	85,986		$	224,929		$	283,313
	Residential Group	63,303			69,423			190,525			196,704			43,704			50,081			127,046			145,105
	Arena	25,039			25,277			84,968			76,270			17,105			16,286			55,399			56,596
	Land Development Group	17,056			21,028			55,203			39,833			5,358			15,155			24,307			29,230
	Corporate Activities	—			—			—			—			13,763			13,994			35,383			38,531
		$	234,743		$	276,693		$	713,917		$	824,574		$	150,154		$	181,502		$	467,064		$	552,775
		Depreciation and Amortization												Interest Expense
	Commercial Group	$	29,304		$	62,961		$	91,756		$	162,748		$	31,093		$	49,465		$	97,938		$	148,893
	Residential Group	16,608			15,748			49,660			45,769			8,030			8,241			23,032			24,957
	Arena	8,793			8,699			25,999			25,073			10,895			9,492			30,101			27,767
	Land Development Group	88			99			269			528			(287		)	97			(572		)	(341		)
	Corporate Activities	718			725			2,154			2,370			9,581			14,958			28,418			45,556
		$	55,511		$	88,232		$	169,838		$	236,488		$	59,312		$	82,253		$	178,917		$	246,832
		Interest and Other Income												Capital Expenditures
	Commercial Group	$	1,579		$	4,989		$	5,585		$	9,059		$	17,655		$	35,051		$	98,033		$	143,675
	Residential Group	5,101			6,110			18,145			18,371			62,795			58,074			207,644			155,774
	Arena	—			—			—			—			2,890			11,752			9,442			44,665
	Land Development Group	3,384			3,793			10,091			9,725			20			—			36			829
	Corporate Activities	32			65			153			227			—			—			15			452
		$	10,096		$	14,957		$	33,974		$	37,382		$	83,360		$	104,877		$	315,170		$	345,395
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 September 30, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	12,190		$	5,512		$	(5,575	)	$	13,171		$	(24,612	)	$	686
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	41,725			24,175			4,986			41			—			70,927
	Net loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	173			—			—			—			—			173
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(9,189		)	—			—			—			—			(9,189		)
	Income tax expense on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			3,310			3,310
	FFO	$	44,899		$	29,687		$	(589	)	$	13,212		$	(21,302	)	$	65,907
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	427,001		$	3,857		$	(5,092	)	$	(376	)	$	(183,534	)	$	241,856
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	72,451			22,099			4,956			47			—			99,553
	Net gain on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	(386,559		)	—			—			—			—			(386,559		)
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(34,281		)	—			—			—			—			(34,281		)
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	3,039			5			—			—			—			3,044
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(22,132		)	(203		)	—			—			—			(22,335		)
	Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	6,870			—			—			—			—			6,870
	Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			172,926			172,926
	Impairment of depreciable real estate	—			—			—			—			(2,668		)	(2,668		)
	FFO	$	66,389		$	25,758		$	(136	)	$	(329	)	$	(13,276	)	$	78,406
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(111,414	)	$	48,613		$	(13,378	)	$	36,257		$	(36,864	)	$	(76,786	)
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	130,198			71,367			14,927			116			—			216,608
	Net loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	640			—			—			—			—			640
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(25,279		)	(24,796		)	—			—			—			(50,075		)
	Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	129,059			—			—			—			—			129,059
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	986			—			—			—			—			986
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(28,042		)	—			—			—			—			(28,042		)
	Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			32,028			32,028
	Impairment of depreciable real estate	—			—			—			—			(50,053		)	(50,053		)
	FFO	$	96,148		$	95,184		$	1,549		$	36,373		$	(54,889	)	$	174,365
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land			Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development			Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	380,743		$	25,055		$	(18,135	)	$	28,366		$	(228,889	)	$	187,140
	Preferred dividends	—			—			—			—			185			185
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	380,743		$	25,055		$	(18,135	)	$	28,366		$	(228,704	)	$	187,325
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	190,059			68,083			14,505			428			—			273,075
	Net gain on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	(386,559		)	—			—			—			—			(386,559		)
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	(32,771		)	—			—			—			—			(32,771		)
	Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	—			1,175			—			—			—			1,175
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	11,372			176			—			—			—			11,548
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(21,943		)	(16,028		)	—			—			—			(37,971		)
	Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	6,870			—			—			—			—			6,870
	Income tax expense (benefit) on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—			178,398			178,398
	Impairment of depreciable real estate	—			—			—			—			(3,124		)	(3,124		)
	FFO	$	147,771		$	78,461		$	(3,630	)	$	28,794		$	(53,430	)	$	197,966

Accounting_Policies_Details

Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 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	$111		$189		'	'
Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts	100,140	[1]	125,059	[1]	'	'
Total unrealized losses	100,251		125,248		'	'
Income tax benefit	-38,840		-48,517		'	'
Noncontrolling interest	-103		-149		'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$61,308		$76,582		$82,544	$107,814
[1]	Included in the amounts as of SeptemberB 30,B 2014 and DecemberB 31,B 2013 are $78,293 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 $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning	($76,582,000)	($107,814,000)
OCI before reclassifications	11,821,000	21,680,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	3,453,000	3,590,000
Total other comprehensive income	15,274,000	25,270,000
Balance, ending	-61,308,000	-82,544,000
Securities	'	'
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning	0	-226,000
OCI before reclassifications	0	678,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	678,000
Balance, ending	0	452,000
Foreign Currency Translation	'	'
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Balance, beginning	-116,000	0
OCI before reclassifications	48,000	-116,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	48,000	-116,000
Balance, ending	-68,000	-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	11,773,000	21,118,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	3,453,000	3,590,000
Total other comprehensive income	15,226,000	24,708,000
Balance, ending	($61,240,000)	($82,880,000)

Accounting_Policies_Details_2

Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	$59,312,000	$82,253,000	$178,917,000	$246,832,000
Discontinued operations	0	706,000	1,844,000	-1,674,000
Equity in earnings	-19,346,000	-43,924,000	-80,543,000	-56,680,000
Income tax benefit	-365,000	144,955,000	-43,381,000	117,820,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	'	'	-3,453,000	-3,590,000
Accumulated net gain (loss) from designated or qualifying cash flow hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	'	'	-3,453,000	-3,590,000
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	'	'	1,956,000	5,788,000
Discontinued operations	'	'	3,666,000	'
Equity in earnings	'	'	44,000	88,000
Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest	'	'	5,666,000	5,876,000
Income tax benefit	'	'	-2,187,000	-2,274,000
Noncontrolling interest	'	'	-26,000	-12,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	'	'	$3,453,000	$3,590,000

Accounting_Policies_Accounting

Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Investing Activities	'	'
Decrease in projects under construction and development	$351,905,000	$20,919,000
Decrease in completed rental properties	136,008,000	853,875,000
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-20,000	4,326,000
Increase in notes and accounts receivable	-2,728,000	0
Increase in investments in and advances to affiliates	-122,663,000	-34,885,000
Total effect on investing activities	362,502,000	844,235,000
Financing Activities	'	'
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	10,683,000	0
Decrease in nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	-342,960,000	-868,342,000
Decrease in convertible senior debt	0	-218,675,000
Decrease in preferred stock	0	-5,489,000
Increase in Class A common stock	225,000	4,681,000
Increase in additional paid-in capital	34,741,000	179,617,000
Increase in treasury stock	0	-12,868,000
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interest	28,390,000	9,939,000
(Decrease) increase in noncontrolling interest	-73,535,000	32,059,000
Total effect on financing activities	($342,456,000)	($879,078,000)

Accounting_Policies_Accounting1

Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Details Textuals) (Ten MetroTech Center [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Ten MetroTech Center [Member]	'	'
Depreciation, by Property [Line Items]	'	'
Accelerated depreciation expense	$25,421	$44,397

Accounting_Policies_Details_Te

Accounting Policies (Details Textual 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum loss exposure for unconsolidated variable interest entities	$258,000,000	'
Fair value of consideration exchanged or accrued in excess of book value	94,557,000	98,687,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of consideration exchanged or accrued in excess of book value	28,151,000	95,924,000
Primary beneficiary [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Number of variable interest entities	23	'
Number of properties represented by variable interest entities	19	'
Not primary beneficiary [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Number of variable interest entities	62	'
Pacific Park Brooklyn [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Area of project in acres	22	'
Decrease in development project held for sale due to deconsolidation of the VIE	504,171,000	'
Decrease in cash and equivalents due to deconsolidation of the VIE	1,141,000	'
Decrease in restricted cash due to deconsolidation of the VIE	99,784,000	'
Decrease in other assets due to deconsolidation of the VIE	2,571,000	'
Decrease in nonrecourse mortgage debt due to deconsolidation of the VIE	228,000,000	'
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities due to deconsolidation of the VIE	20,428,000	'
Increase in investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities due to deconsolidation of the VIE	156,071,000	'
B2 BKLYN [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Decrease in real estate, net due to deconsolidation of the VIE	104,408,000	'
Decrease in cash and equivalents due to deconsolidation of the VIE	1,306,000	'
Decrease in restricted cash due to deconsolidation of the VIE	46,801,000	'
Decrease in other assets due to deconsolidation of the VIE	3,110,000	'
Decrease in nonrecourse mortgage debt due to deconsolidation of the VIE	56,605,000	'
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities due to deconsolidation of the VIE	$7,656,000	'

Accounting_Policies_Accounting2

Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Details Textual 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 01, 2006	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 02, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			property	Common stock Class A [Member]	BCR exchange transaction [Member]	BCR exchange transaction [Member]	BCR transaction [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
						Common stock Class A [Member]	project
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of retail, office and residential operating properties and service companies	'	'	30	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exchange of common units for shares, units exchanged	'	'	'	'	673,565	'	'	'	'
Exchange of common units for shares, shares issued	'	'	'	673,000	'	673,565	'	'	'
Exchange of Class A Common Units, purchase of noncontrolling interests	$0	'	'	$224,000	'	'	'	($34,358,000)	$34,134,000
Class A Common Units outstanding	2,973,190	3,646,755	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Costs of interest transferred to affiliates of the Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,286,000	'	'
Number of projects	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	'	'
Tax indemnity payment accrual	1,646,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax indemnity payment	$1,235,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Accounting_Policies_Details_Te1

Accounting Policies (Details Textual 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Unrealized losses	$78,293	$97,360
New York Times [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Notional amount	$640,000	'
Mortgage [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
All-in lender interest rate	6.40%	'

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl2

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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	$150,918	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2015	434,791	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2016	97,015	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2017	1,123,937	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2018	274,608	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities thereafter	1,935,127	'
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse - Total	$4,016,396	$4,351,506

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Deta

Revolving Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Maximum borrowings	$500,000,000	$500,000,000
Borrowings	0	0
Letters of credit	86,858,000	59,760,000
Surety bonds	0	0
Available credit	$413,142,000	$440,240,000

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Deta1

Revolving Credit Facility (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Revolving credit facility [Member]	Common stock Class A [Member]	Common stock Class A or B [Member]	LIBOR [Member]
			option	Revolving credit facility [Member]	Revolving credit facility [Member]	Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available borrowings	$500,000,000	$500,000,000	'	'	'	'
Number of Credit Facility extension options	'	'	1	'	'	'
Term of Credit Facility extension option	'	'	'12 months	'	'	'
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 $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Convertible senior debt	$700,000,000	$700,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Convertible senior debt	700,000,000	700,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Notes due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Interest rate	5.00%	5.00%
Convertible senior debt	50,000,000	50,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Notes due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Interest rate	4.25%	4.25%
Convertible senior debt	350,000,000	350,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Notes due 2020 [Member]	'	'
Schedule of convertible senior debt	'	'
Interest rate	3.63%	3.63%
Convertible senior debt	$300,000,000	$300,000,000

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Conver

Convertible Senior Debt Convertible Senior Debt (Details Textuals) (Convertible Senior Notes [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 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 $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	$1,137,767,000	'
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	460,970,000	18,970,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	5,434,000	903,000
Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	343,407,000	447,532,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	673,000	155,000
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	1,098,780,000	1,301,144,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	91,222,000	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	38,987,000	39,052,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	15,467,000	15,477,000
Interest rate caps [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	330,000,000	'
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	208,000	'
Interest rate caps [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	266,925,000	447,532,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	50,000	155,000
Interest rate caps [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	0	'
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0	'
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 swaps [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 swaps [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	870,995,000	961,359,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	79,406,000	97,858,000
Total Return Swap [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	266,772,000	'
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	5,226,000	903,000
Total Return Swap [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	76,482,000	0
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	623,000	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	11,816,000	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	38,987,000	39,052,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	$15,467,000	$15,477,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	$11,243,000	$2,817,000	$19,253,000	$34,506,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-608,000	-917,000	-1,999,000	-2,918,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	-1,000	-2,963,000	-3,667,000	-2,958,000
Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	11,243,000	'	19,253,000	'
Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps [Member] | Interest expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-594,000	'	-1,955,000	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	-1,000	'	-1,000	'
Interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	0	2,817,000	0	34,506,000
Interest rate swaps [Member] | Interest expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	'	-902,000	'	-2,825,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	'	-2,963,000	'	-2,963,000
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 swaps [Member] | Equity in earnings [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-14,000	'	-44,000	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	0	'	0	'
Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and treasury options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	'	0	'	0
Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and treasury options [Member] | Equity in earnings [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	'	-15,000	'	-93,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	'	$0	'	$5,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	$20,000		($1,807,000)		$592,000		($3,771,000)
Total Return Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'		'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	-42,000		-1,807,000		633,000		-3,532,000
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	68,000	[1]	2,996,000	[1]	2,279,000	[1]	3,100,000	[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	$62,000		$0		($41,000)		($239,000)
[1]	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TRS borrowings was $(68) and $(2,279) for the three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30,B 2014, respectively, and $(2,996) and $(3,100) for the three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30,B 2013, respectively, offsetting the gainB (loss) recognized on the TRS.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amount	$1,137,767,000
Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk	110,952,000
Nonperformance Risk	-4,263,000
Collateral Posted	52,185,000
Property Specific Swap [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amount	670,995,000
Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk	83,580,000
Nonperformance Risk	-4,340,000
Collateral Posted	0
Nature of Collateral	'Mortgage liens
Credit Risk Contingent Feature	'None
Total Return Swap [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amount	266,772,000
Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk	27,206,000
Nonperformance Risk	77,000
Collateral Posted	52,015,000
Nature of Collateral	'Restricted cash, securities, notes receivable, letters of credit
Credit Risk Contingent Feature	'None
Corporate Aggregate Swap [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Notional Amount	200,000,000
Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk	166,000
Nonperformance Risk	0
Collateral Posted	$170,000
Nature of Collateral	'Restricted cash
Credit Risk Contingent Feature	'Credit rating

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed6

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss on cash flow hedges to be reclassified within next twelve months	'	'	$24,576,000	'
SIFMA rate	0.04%	'	0.04%	'
Net gain (loss) from change in fair value of underlying TRS borrowings recognized in interest expense	-68,000	-2,996,000	-2,279,000	-3,100,000
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	358,755,000	'	358,755,000	'
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss on cash flow hedge ineffectiveness	'	$2,963,000	$3,667,000	$2,963,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 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	$6,590,000		$8,869,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	-186,834,000	[1]	-171,743,000
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	-280,826,000		-284,923,000
Interest rate caps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	258,000		155,000
Interest rate swaps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative liabilities	-79,406,000		-97,858,000
Total Return Swap [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative assets	5,849,000		903,000
Derivative liabilities	-27,283,000		-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 swaps [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	-855,000		-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	258,000		155,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative liabilities	-1,113,000		-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	6,590,000		8,869,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	-186,834,000	[1]	-171,743,000
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	-279,971,000		-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 swaps [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis	'		'
Derivative liabilities	-78,293,000		-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	5,849,000		903,000
Derivative liabilities	($27,283,000)		($25,249,000)
[1]	As of SeptemberB 30,B 2014, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at book value.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 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	13,299,000	15,705,000
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):	'	'
Included in earnings	633,000	-3,532,000
Included in other comprehensive income	19,067,000	26,447,000
Included in additional paid-in capital	-28,390,000	-9,939,000
Balance, ending	-279,971,000	-339,961,000
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	13,299,000	15,705,000
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	-9,939,000
Balance, ending	-186,834,000	-235,024,000
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	19,067,000	26,447,000
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	-78,293,000	-105,187,000
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	2,912,000	-432,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	-21,434,000	-6,540,000
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	-2,279,000	-3,100,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	6,590,000	6,790,000
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	633,000	-3,532,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Included in additional paid-in capital	0	0
Balance, ending	($14,844,000)	$250,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail2

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member], Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Credit Spread	4.00%
Minimum [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Bond Valuation	79.59
Minimum [Member] | Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Bond Valuation	79.59
Maximum [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Bond Valuation	108.57
Maximum [Member] | Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Bond Valuation	108.57
Potential Future Exposure [Member] | Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Fair value, assets	4,251
Bond Valuation [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Fair value, liabilities	-21,434
Bond Valuation [Member] | Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TRS [Member]	'
Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis	'
Fair value, assets	6,590

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail3

Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 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	$4,716,396	$5,279,506
Fair Value	5,061,598	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	2,892,316	3,281,337
Fair Value	3,241,230	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	1,824,080	1,998,169
Fair Value	$1,820,368	$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	$28,390

Capital_Stock_Detail_Textuals

Capital Stock (Detail Textuals) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

Apr. 16, 2013

Mar. 13, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 12, 2013

Apr. 16, 2013

Jul. 12, 2013

Apr. 16, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 12, 2013

Mar. 13, 2013

Mar. 15, 2013

Mar. 14, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

2014 Senior Notes [Member]

2014 Senior Notes [Member]

Class A common stock [Member]

Class A common stock [Member]

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]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes exchanged for stock, value of senior note exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

$138,853,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of Class A common stock issued in exchange of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,549,721

'

13,679,000

'

'

'

'

'

Cash payment for additional exchange consideration, accrued interest and in lieu of fractional shares

4,860,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes put to the company

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,033,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares received by the note holder upon a put

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,128,806

'

'

'

'

Cash payments for interest payable and in lieu of fractional shares for put transaction

'

'

'

'

'

1,088,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	$4,618	$4,132	$14,840	$13,122
Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	-1,490	-1,591	-4,110	-4,690
Amount charged to operating expenses	3,128	2,541	10,730	8,432
Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	139	241	586	710
Total stock-based compensation expense	3,267	2,782	11,316	9,142
Deferred income tax benefit	1,214	1,009	4,235	3,342
Stock option costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	698	674	2,677	2,574
Restricted stock costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	2,833	2,722	9,136	8,737
Performance share costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation costs	$1,087	$736	$3,027	$1,811

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		11 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount of grant-date fair value expensed immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible grantees	$1,358	$973	'
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	205,568	183,375	'
Purchase of treasury stock, aggregate cost basis	3,800	3,226	3,167
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	3,578	'	'
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	'30 months	'	'
Restricted stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares granted	602,602	'	'
Grant-date fair value	$18.73	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	19,662	'	'
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	'31 months	'	'
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	$9,596	'	'
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	'30 months	'	'

WriteOff_of_Abandoned_Developm1

Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects and Demolition Costs (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Write-off of Abandoned Development Projects and Demolition Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Write-offs of abandoned development projects and demolition costs	$456,000	$3,459,000	$1,389,000	$17,012,000
Non-capitalizable demolition costs	$456,000	$155,000	$1,106,000	$155,000

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_2

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Continuing Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Real Estate	$966,000	$0	$130,795,000	$1,175,000
Avenue at Tower City Center [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Continuing Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Real Estate	0	0	72,473,000	0
Terminal Tower [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Continuing Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Real Estate	0	0	42,208,000	0
Post Office Plaza [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Continuing Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Real Estate	0	0	14,378,000	0
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Continuing Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Real Estate	$966,000	$0	$1,736,000	$1,175,000

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_3

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities (Details 1) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Indicative bids [Member]	Indicative bids [Member]	Discounted cash flow [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
				Discounted cash flow [Member]	Discounted cash flow [Member]
Non-recurring Impairment of Real Estate Including Discontiued Operations	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value of Real Estate	$38,750	$8,029	$44,200	'	'
Market Capitalization Rate	'	'	'	8.00%	10.00%
Discount Rate	'	'	'	10.50%	12.00%

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_4

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of unconsolidated entities	$0	$0	$0	$0
Kansas City triple net lease retail property [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impairment of real estate on discontinued operations	'	$6,870,000	'	$6,870,000

Net_Gain_Loss_on_Land_Held_for1

Net Gain (Loss) on Land Held for Divestiture Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Land Held for Divestiture disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Sales of land held for divestiture	'	$75,000	'	$11,981,000
Cost of sales of land held for divestiture	'	0	'	-1,744,000
Gain on extinguishment of debt of land held for divestiture	'	0	'	2,146,000
Net gain on closed transactions of land held for divestiture	'	75,000	'	12,383,000
Bad debt expense	'	-9,000,000	'	-9,000,000
Net gain (loss) on land held for divestiture activity	$0	($8,925,000)	$0	$3,383,000

Net_Gain_Loss_on_Land_Held_for2

Net Gain (Loss) on Land Held for Divestiture Activity (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Gain (Loss) on Land Held for Divestiture Activity [Line Items]	'	'
Bad debt expense	$9,000,000	$9,000,000
Net gain on land held for divestiture activity of unconsolidated entities	79,000	2,590,000
North Carolina land [Member]	'	'
Net Gain (Loss) on Land Held for Divestiture Activity [Line Items]	'	'
Area of land (in acres)	1,000	1,000
Fair value of collateral	4,100,000	4,100,000
Bad debt expense	9,000,000	9,000,000
Bad debt expense, net of noncontrolling interests	8,300,000	8,300,000
Bad debt expense, after tax	$4,980,000	$4,980,000

Gain_Loss_on_Extinguishment_of1

Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	$49	($23,666)	$927	($18,718)
Ten MetroTech Center [Member]	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	'	-24,669
2014 Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	'	$4,762

Net_Loss_on_Disposition_of_Par1

Net Loss on Disposition of Partial Interest in Development Project (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
					Greenland Joint Venture [Member]	Greenland Joint Venture [Member]	Pacific Park Brooklyn [Member]
							Greenland Joint Venture [Member]
							acre
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Area of project (in acres)	'	'	'	'	'	'	22
Percentage of ownership sold	'	'	'	'	'	70.00%	'
Cash purchase price received, net of transaction costs	'	'	'	'	$203,923,000	'	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interest in development project	0	0	19,590,000	0	19,590,000	'	'
Net loss on disposition of partial interest in development project, net of noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	$16,211,000	'	'

Net_Gain_Loss_on_Disposition_o2

Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Net gain (loss) on disposition of partial interest in rental properties and other investments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties	($146,000)	'	$386,559,000	($613,000)	$386,559,000	'
Stapleton - 3055 Roslyn [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on disposition of partial interest in rental properties and other investments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties	-146,000	'	0	-146,000	0	'
QIC Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on disposition of partial interest in rental properties and other investments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties	0	'	381,627,000	-467,000	381,627,000	'
New York Retail Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on disposition of partial interest in rental properties and other investments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on disposition of full or partial interest in rental properties	$0	$109,533,000	$4,932,000	$0	$4,932,000	$9,561,000

Net_Gain_Loss_on_Disposition_o3

Net Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Full or Partial Interest in Rental Properties (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2011
								properties
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net gain on disposition of partial interest in rental properties	($146,000)	'	$386,559,000	($613,000)	$386,559,000	'	'	'
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	83,871,000	101,467,000	'	'	'
QIC Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership sold	'	'	49.00%	'	49.00%	'	'	'
Number of properties	'	'	7	'	7	'	'	'
Debt assumed by the outside partner	'	'	448,900,000	'	448,900,000	'	'	'
Proceeds received by the Company	'	'	'	'	412,300,000	'	'	'
Cash proceeds received by the Company	'	'	'	'	188,200,000	'	'	'
Net gain on disposition of partial interest in rental properties	0	'	381,627,000	-467,000	381,627,000	'	'	'
Number of regional retail malls in which Company acquired noncontrolling interests	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	'	'	92,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
New York Retail Joint Venture [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership sold	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	49.00%
Number of properties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15
Debt assumed by the outside partner	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	244,952,000
Net gain on disposition of partial interest in rental properties	0	109,533,000	4,932,000	0	4,932,000	9,561,000	'	'
Proceeds in the form of loan from the joint venture	'	'	'	'	'	178,286,000	'	'
Outside partner's minimum initial investment requirement	'	'	'	'	'	20.00%	'	'
Deferred gain	'	'	'	'	'	'	$114,465,000	'

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit	($365,000)	$144,955,000	($43,381,000)	$117,820,000	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	'	'	'	'	150,758,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward	'	'	'	'	28,570,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	-125,000	-58,000	-5,960,000	'
Net deferred tax asset not recorded	'	'	'	'	18,064,000
Charitable contribution deduction carryforward [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Tax carryforward	'	'	'	'	18,125,000
General business tax credit carryovers [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Tax carryforward	'	'	'	'	$21,680,000

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga2

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

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Millender Center [Member]

Millender Center [Member]

Millender Center [Member]

Millender Center [Member]

Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]

Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]

Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]

Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]

Quartermaster Plaza [Member]

Quartermaster Plaza [Member]

Quartermaster Plaza [Member]

Quartermaster Plaza [Member]

Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]

Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]

Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]

Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]

Orchard Town Center [Member]

Orchard Town Center [Member]

Orchard Town Center [Member]

Orchard Town Center [Member]

Colorado Studios [Member]

Colorado Studios [Member]

Colorado Studios [Member]

Colorado Studios [Member]

Higbee Building [Member]

Higbee Building [Member]

Higbee Building [Member]

Higbee Building [Member]

Sheraton Station Square [Member]

Sheraton Station Square [Member]

Sheraton Station Square [Member]

Sheraton Station Square [Member]

Two triple net lease properties [Member]

Two triple net lease properties [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

[1]

'

'

'

'Q1-2014

'

'

'

'Q1-2014

'

'

'

'Q4-2013

'

'

'

'Q3-2013

'

'

'

'Q3-2013

'

'

'

'Q3-2013

'

'

'

'Various

[2]

'

'

'

Period status

'0

'0

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'Yes

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'0

'Yes

'

'

Number of triple net lease properties disposed of

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

[1]

Classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2014.

[2]

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 (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$0	$11,997,000	$7,034,000	$58,423,000
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating expenses	0	6,593,000	3,026,000	32,689,000
Depreciation and amortization	0	3,048,000	987,000	11,523,000
Impairment of real estate	0	6,870,000	0	6,870,000
Total expenses	0	16,511,000	4,013,000	51,082,000
Interest expense	0	-3,436,000	-5,538,000	-11,266,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	0	-122,000	-41,000	-483,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	-448,000	-40,000
Interest and other income	0	37,000	0	263,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	22,460,000	28,100,000	43,931,000
Earnings before income taxes	0	14,425,000	25,094,000	39,746,000
Income tax expense	0	8,754,000	12,082,000	16,517,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	0	5,671,000	13,012,000	23,229,000
Noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	125,000	58,000	5,960,000
Operating earnings (loss) from rental properties	0	10,000	-8,000	74,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	135,000	50,000	6,034,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$0	$5,536,000	$12,962,000	$17,195,000

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga4

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	$0	$22,460,000	$28,100,000	$43,931,000
Quartermaster Plaza [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	26,373,000	0
Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	1,276,000	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	0	0	451,000	0
Higbee Building [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	2,922,000	0	2,922,000
Colorado Studios [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	1,239,000	0	1,239,000
Sheraton Station Square [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	18,096,000	0	18,096,000
Millender Center [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	0	21,660,000
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	$0	$203,000	$0	$14,000

Discontinued_Operations_and_Ga5

Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	$9,189,000	$34,281,000	$50,075,000	$32,771,000
Mall at Stonecrest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	7,952,000	0	7,952,000	0
Liberty Center [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	1,237,000	1,540,000	1,237,000	1,540,000
Westin Convention Center [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	32,741,000	0	32,741,000
Golden Gate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	16,440,000	0
Plaza at Robinson Town Center [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0	-1,510,000
Westwood Reserve [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	8,904,000	0
Legacy Crossroads [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	6,216,000	0
Colonial Grand [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	4,904,000	0
Legacy Arboretum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	3,257,000	0
Barrington Place [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	1,515,000	0
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	$0	$0	($350,000)	$0

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Numerators	'		'		'		'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$686,000		$236,320,000		($89,748,000)		$170,130,000
Preferred dividends	0		0		0		-185,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-17,000		-6,759,000		0		-5,021,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders - Basic	669,000		229,561,000		-89,748,000		164,924,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	17,000		6,759,000		0		5,021,000
Interest on convertible debt	0		4,005,000		0		10,946,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	686,000		240,325,000		-89,748,000		180,891,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	686,000		241,856,000		-76,786,000		187,325,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-17,000		-6,917,000		0		-5,530,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders - Basic	669,000		234,939,000		-76,786,000		181,610,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	17,000		6,917,000		0		5,530,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	$686,000		$245,861,000		($76,786,000)		$198,086,000
Denominators	'		'		'		'
Weighted average shares outstanding b Basic	198,893,584		197,442,451		198,328,900		190,919,579
Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	1,758,916		1,804,200		0		1,684,332
Effect of convertible debt	0		29,877,940		0		29,813,775
Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	2,973,190		3,646,755		0		3,646,755
Weighted average shares outstanding b Diluted	203,625,690	[1]	232,771,346	[1]	198,328,900	[1]	226,064,441	[1]
Earnings per share	'		'		'		'
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders b Basic	$0		$1.16		($0.45)		$0.86
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	$0		$1.03		($0.45)		$0.80
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders b Basic	$0		$1.19		($0.39)		$0.95
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	$0		$1.06		($0.39)		$0.88
[1]	Incremental shares from dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities aggregating 37,238,228 for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30,B 2014 were not included in the computation of dilutedB EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of preferred stock of 185,199 for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30,B 2013 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Weighted-average options, restrictedB stock and performance shares of 3,240,497 and 3,470,348 for the three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30,B 2014, respectively, and 3,455,487 and 3,514,529 for the three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30,B 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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Convertible securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	32,138,215	'	'	'
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	'	'	37,238,228	'
Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	'	'	'	185,199
Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	3,240,497	3,455,487	3,470,348	3,514,529

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Total Assets	$8,208,930,000	'	$8,208,930,000	'	$8,952,025,000
Revenues	234,743,000	276,693,000	713,917,000	824,574,000	'
Operating Expenses	150,154,000	181,502,000	467,064,000	552,775,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	55,511,000	88,232,000	169,838,000	236,488,000	'
Interest expense	59,312,000	82,253,000	178,917,000	246,832,000	'
Interest and other income	10,096,000	14,957,000	33,974,000	37,382,000	'
Capital expenditures	83,360,000	104,877,000	315,170,000	345,395,000	'
Commercial Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Total Assets	4,099,605,000	'	4,099,605,000	'	5,120,360,000
Revenues	129,345,000	160,965,000	383,221,000	511,767,000	'
Operating Expenses	70,224,000	85,986,000	224,929,000	283,313,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	29,304,000	62,961,000	91,756,000	162,748,000	'
Interest expense	31,093,000	49,465,000	97,938,000	148,893,000	'
Interest and other income	1,579,000	4,989,000	5,585,000	9,059,000	'
Capital expenditures	17,655,000	35,051,000	98,033,000	143,675,000	'
Residential Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Total Assets	2,789,605,000	'	2,789,605,000	'	2,468,708,000
Revenues	63,303,000	69,423,000	190,525,000	196,704,000	'
Operating Expenses	43,704,000	50,081,000	127,046,000	145,105,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	16,608,000	15,748,000	49,660,000	45,769,000	'
Interest expense	8,030,000	8,241,000	23,032,000	24,957,000	'
Interest and other income	5,101,000	6,110,000	18,145,000	18,371,000	'
Capital expenditures	62,795,000	58,074,000	207,644,000	155,774,000	'
Arena [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Total Assets	969,020,000	'	969,020,000	'	984,937,000
Revenues	25,039,000	25,277,000	84,968,000	76,270,000	'
Operating Expenses	17,105,000	16,286,000	55,399,000	56,596,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	8,793,000	8,699,000	25,999,000	25,073,000	'
Interest expense	10,895,000	9,492,000	30,101,000	27,767,000	'
Interest and other income	0	0	0	0	'
Capital expenditures	2,890,000	11,752,000	9,442,000	44,665,000	'
Land Development Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Total Assets	267,392,000	'	267,392,000	'	260,070,000
Revenues	17,056,000	21,028,000	55,203,000	39,833,000	'
Operating Expenses	5,358,000	15,155,000	24,307,000	29,230,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	88,000	99,000	269,000	528,000	'
Interest expense	-287,000	97,000	-572,000	-341,000	'
Interest and other income	3,384,000	3,793,000	10,091,000	9,725,000	'
Capital expenditures	20,000	0	36,000	829,000	'
Corporate Activities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Financial data of five reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Total Assets	83,308,000	'	83,308,000	'	117,950,000
Revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Operating Expenses	13,763,000	13,994,000	35,383,000	38,531,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	718,000	725,000	2,154,000	2,370,000	'
Interest expense	9,581,000	14,958,000	28,418,000	45,556,000	'
Interest and other income	32,000	65,000	153,000	227,000	'
Capital expenditures	$0	$0	$15,000	$452,000	'

Segment_Information_Details_1

Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		11 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$686,000	$241,856,000	($76,786,000)	$187,140,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	'	'	185,000	185,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	686,000	241,856,000	-76,786,000	187,325,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	55,511,000	88,232,000	169,838,000	236,488,000	'
Net (gain) loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	173,000	-386,559,000	640,000	-386,559,000	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	-9,189,000	-34,281,000	-50,075,000	-32,771,000	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	'	129,059,000	1,175,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	'	-22,335,000	-28,042,000	-37,971,000	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	6,870,000	'	6,870,000	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	3,310,000	172,926,000	32,028,000	178,398,000	'
Impairment of depreciable real estate	'	-2,668,000	-50,053,000	-3,124,000	'
FFO	65,907,000	78,406,000	174,365,000	197,966,000	'
Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	70,927,000	99,553,000	216,608,000	273,075,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	'	3,044,000	986,000	11,548,000	'
Commercial Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	'	'	'	380,743,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	'	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	12,190,000	427,001,000	-111,414,000	380,743,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	29,304,000	62,961,000	91,756,000	162,748,000	'
Net (gain) loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	173,000	-386,559,000	640,000	-386,559,000	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	-9,189,000	-34,281,000	-25,279,000	-32,771,000	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	'	129,059,000	0	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	'	-22,132,000	-28,042,000	-21,943,000	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	6,870,000	'	6,870,000	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Impairment of depreciable real estate	'	0	0	0	'
FFO	44,899,000	66,389,000	96,148,000	147,771,000	'
Commercial Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	41,725,000	72,451,000	130,198,000	190,059,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	'	3,039,000	986,000	11,372,000	'
Residential Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	'	'	'	25,055,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	'	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	5,512,000	3,857,000	48,613,000	25,055,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	16,608,000	15,748,000	49,660,000	45,769,000	'
Net (gain) loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	-24,796,000	0	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	'	0	1,175,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	'	-203,000	0	-16,028,000	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	0	'	0	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Impairment of depreciable real estate	'	0	0	0	'
FFO	29,687,000	25,758,000	95,184,000	78,461,000	'
Residential Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	24,175,000	22,099,000	71,367,000	68,083,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	'	5,000	0	176,000	'
Arena [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	'	'	'	-18,135,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	'	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-5,575,000	-5,092,000	-13,378,000	-18,135,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	8,793,000	8,699,000	25,999,000	25,073,000	'
Net (gain) loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0	0	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	'	0	0	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	'	0	0	0	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	0	'	0	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Impairment of depreciable real estate	'	0	0	0	'
FFO	-589,000	-136,000	1,549,000	-3,630,000	'
Arena [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	4,986,000	4,956,000	14,927,000	14,505,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	'	0	0	0	'
Land Development Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	'	'	'	28,366,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	'	'	0	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	13,171,000	-376,000	36,257,000	28,366,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	88,000	99,000	269,000	528,000	'
Net (gain) loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0	0	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	'	0	0	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	'	0	0	0	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	0	'	0	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Impairment of depreciable real estate	'	0	0	0	'
FFO	13,212,000	-329,000	36,373,000	28,794,000	'
Land Development Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	41,000	47,000	116,000	428,000	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	'	0	0	0	'
Corporate Activities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	'	'	'	-228,889,000	'
Preferred dividends	'	'	'	185,000	'
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-24,612,000	-183,534,000	-36,864,000	-228,704,000	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	718,000	725,000	2,154,000	2,370,000	'
Net (gain) loss on disposition of full or partial interests in rental properties	0	0	0	0	'
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0	0	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	'	0	0	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	'	0	0	0	'
Impairment of consolidated depreciable real estate	'	0	'	0	'
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposition of rental properties	3,310,000	172,926,000	32,028,000	178,398,000	'
Impairment of depreciable real estate	'	-2,668,000	-50,053,000	-3,124,000	'
FFO	-21,302,000	-13,276,000	-54,889,000	-53,430,000	'
Corporate Activities [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	0	0	0	0	'
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	'	$0	$0	$0	'