Forest City Enterprises (FCEPP) 10-Q 4 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	FOREST CITY ENTERPRISES INC
Entity Central Index Key	38067
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Common stock Class A
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		196,047,329
Common stock Class B
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,940,837

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Real Estate
Completed rental properties	$7,822,881,000	$7,753,561,000
Projects under construction and development	536,966,000	477,957,000
Land inventory	96,675,000	97,469,000
Total Real Estate	8,456,522,000	8,328,987,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-1,606,124,000	-1,555,965,000
Real Estate, net – (variable interest entities $474.3 million and $427.8 million, respectively)	6,850,398,000	6,773,022,000
Cash and equivalents – (variable interest entities $23.7 million and $20.6 million, respectively)	190,905,000	326,518,000
Restricted cash – (variable interest entities $25.5 million and $28.6 million, respectively)	250,557,000	266,530,000
Notes and accounts receivable, net	436,599,000	419,038,000
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	669,605,000	620,466,000
Other assets – (variable interest entities $21.6 million and $19.6 million, respectively)	397,327,000	409,366,000
Total Assets	8,795,391,000	8,814,940,000
Liabilities
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse – (variable interest entities $224.5 million and $250.7 million, respectively)	4,202,440,000	4,238,201,000
Revolving credit facility	59,950,000	0
Convertible senior debt	411,194,000	700,000,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities – (variable interest entities $67.9 million and $42.6 million, respectively)	832,313,000	847,011,000
Cash distributions and losses in excess of investments in unconsolidated entities	211,255,000	211,493,000
Deferred income taxes	486,101,000	482,474,000
Total Liabilities	6,203,253,000	6,479,179,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	178,050,000	183,038,000
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value
Common stock	71,274,000	66,689,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,469,273,000	1,165,828,000
Retained earnings	508,989,000	563,198,000
Less treasury stock, at cost; 1,378,962 and 1,095,310 Class A shares, respectively	-26,013,000	-18,922,000
Shareholders' equity before accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,023,523,000	1,776,793,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-57,372,000	-58,846,000
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,966,151,000	1,717,947,000
Noncontrolling interest	447,937,000	434,776,000
Total Equity	2,414,088,000	2,152,723,000
Total Liabilities and Equity	8,795,391,000	8,814,940,000
Common stock Class A
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value
Common stock	64,960,000	60,286,000
Total Equity	64,960,000	60,286,000
Common stock Class B
Common stock - $.33 1/3 par value
Common stock	6,314,000	6,403,000
Total Equity	$6,314,000	$6,403,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Real Estate, net	$6,850,398,000	$6,773,022,000
Cash and equivalents	190,905,000	326,518,000
Restricted cash	250,557,000	266,530,000
Other assets	397,327,000	409,366,000
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse – (variable interest entities $224.5 million and $250.7 million, respectively)	4,202,440,000	4,238,201,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	832,313,000	847,011,000
Preferred stock, without par value	$0	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Variable interest entities
Real Estate, net	474,300,000	427,800,000
Cash and equivalents	23,700,000	20,600,000
Restricted cash	25,500,000	28,600,000
Other assets	21,600,000	19,600,000
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse – (variable interest entities $224.5 million and $250.7 million, respectively)	224,500,000	250,700,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$67,900,000	$42,600,000
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	194,880,873	180,859,262
Common stock, shares outstanding	193,501,911	179,763,952
Treasury stock, Class A shares	1,378,962	1,095,310
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	18,942,503	19,208,517
Common stock, shares outstanding	18,942,503	19,208,517
Common stock, shares issuable	26,257,961	26,257,961

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Rental	$141,106,000	$127,921,000
Tenant recoveries	30,725,000	33,522,000
Service and management fees	9,620,000	12,987,000
Parking and other	11,876,000	12,148,000
Arena	28,820,000	35,357,000
Land sales	8,663,000	16,707,000
Military Housing	6,272,000	10,895,000
Total revenues	237,082,000	249,537,000
Expenses
Property operating and management	93,018,000	101,091,000
Real estate taxes	20,788,000	20,206,000
Ground rent	2,628,000	1,880,000
Arena operating	19,958,000	23,476,000
Cost of land sales	2,311,000	6,365,000
Military Housing operating	2,225,000	6,524,000
Corporate general and administrative	13,503,000	11,561,000
REIT conversion and reorganization costs	6,212,000	0
Total operating expenses	160,643,000	171,103,000
Depreciation and amortization	61,814,000	55,009,000
Total expenses	222,457,000	226,112,000
Operating income	14,625,000	23,425,000
Interest and other income	9,704,000	11,503,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interest in rental properties	0	-467,000
Net gain on change in control of interests	0	2,759,000
Interest expense	-52,576,000	-62,452,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	-2,101,000	-2,125,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	-35,154,000	-164,000
Loss before income taxes	-65,502,000	-27,521,000
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current	-1,744,000	35,934,000
Deferred	2,559,000	-32,003,000
Total income tax expense (benefit)	815,000	3,931,000
Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax	9,313,000	34,029,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	-57,004,000	2,577,000
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Operating loss from rental properties	0	-2,641,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	14,513,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	0	11,872,000
Net earnings (loss)	-57,004,000	14,449,000
Noncontrolling interests
Loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, gross of tax	2,795,000	1,121,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	-50,000
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,795,000	1,071,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	($54,209,000)	$15,520,000
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	($0.27)	$0.02
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$0	$0.06
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	($0.27)	$0.08
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	($0.27)	$0.02
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$0	$0.06
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	($0.27)	$0.08

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	($57,004,000)	$14,449,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-48,000	0
Unrealized net gains on interest rate derivative contracts, net of tax	1,525,000	6,029,000
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,477,000	6,029,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	-55,527,000	20,478,000
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,792,000	1,062,000
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	($52,735,000)	$21,540,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax amount related to foreign currency translation adjustments	$30	$0
Tax amount related to unrealized net gains on interest rate derivative contracts	($964)	($3,814)

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	Common stock Class A	Common Stock Class B
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	$59,500,000	$6,725,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013				942,000			178,499,000	20,173,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss, net of $17,095 and $4,988 attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	-3,925,000		-7,595,000			3,670,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	17,791,000				17,736,000	55,000
Purchase of treasury stock	-4,009,000			-4,009,000
Purchase of treasury stock, Shares				215,000
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares	0						322,000	-322,000
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares, Shares							964,000	-964,000
Restricted stock vested	0	-240,000					240,000
Restricted stock vested, Shares							723,000
Exercise of stock options	789,000	-276,000		1,065,000
Exercise of stock options, Shares				-62,000
Stock-based compensation	19,673,000	19,673,000
Write-off of deferred tax asset related to expired stock options	-419,000	-419,000
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
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment	-28,390,000	-28,390,000
Acquisition of partners' noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	-99,863,000	-32,505,000				-67,358,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	175,274,000					175,274,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-14,634,000					-14,634,000
Adjustment due to change in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries	-3,935,000	78,103,000				-82,038,000
Change in control of equity method subsidiary	168,252,000					168,252,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	2,152,723,000	1,165,828,000	563,198,000	-18,922,000	-58,846,000	434,776,000	60,286,000	6,403,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014				1,095,000			180,859,000	19,209,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss, net of $17,095 and $4,988 attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	-52,016,000		-54,209,000			2,193,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,477,000				1,474,000	3,000
Purchase of treasury stock	-588,000			-588,000
Purchase of treasury stock, Shares	25,302			26,000
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares	0						89,000	-89,000
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares, Shares							266,000	-266,000
Proceeds and Class A shares received from termination of Convertible Senior Notes hedge	17,818,000	24,321,000		-6,503,000
Proceeds and Class A shares received from termination of Convertible Senior Notes hedge, shares				258,000
Issuance of Class A shares in exchange for Convertible Senior Notes	276,756,000	272,208,000					4,548,000
Issuance of Class A shares in exchange for Convertible Senior Notes, Shares							13,645,000
Restricted stock vested	0	-37,000					37,000
Restricted stock vested, Shares							111,000
Stock-based compensation	6,917,000	6,917,000
Write-off of deferred tax asset related to expired stock options	-135,000	-135,000
Acquisition of partners' noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	-308,000	-308,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	16,055,000					16,055,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-4,553,000					-4,553,000
Adjustment due to change in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries	-58,000	479,000				-537,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$2,414,088,000	$1,469,273,000	$508,989,000	($26,013,000)	($57,372,000)	$447,937,000	$64,960,000	$6,314,000
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2015				1,379,000			194,881,000	18,943,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ1

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (Noncontrolling Interest, USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest
Net earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	($4,988)	($17,095)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net earnings (loss)	($57,004,000)	$14,449,000
Depreciation and amortization	61,814,000	55,009,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	2,101,000	2,125,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	35,154,000	164,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interest in rental properties	0	467,000
Net gain on change in control of interests	0	-2,759,000
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	2,559,000	-32,003,000
Earnings from unconsolidated entities	9,313,000	34,029,000
Stock-based compensation expense	5,255,000	3,966,000
Amortization and mark-to-market adjustments of derivative instruments	-2,182,000	5,524,000
Cash distributions from operations of unconsolidated entities	11,078,000	11,431,000
Non-cash operating expenses and deferred taxes included in discontinued operations	0	9,942,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties included in discontinued operations	0	-26,824,000
Decrease in land inventory	666,000	4,185,000
Increase in notes and accounts receivable	-11,000,000	-6,653,000
Increase in other assets	-3,777,000	-3,261,000
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	-22,359,000	18,188,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	12,992,000	19,921,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-74,989,000	-90,753,000
Acquisitions	-11,119,000	-19,988,000
Payment of lease procurement costs	-2,930,000	-648,000
Increase in notes receivable	-8,722,000	-225,000
Decrease in restricted cash used for investing purposes	15,973,000	10,779,000
Proceeds from disposition of rental properties	1,400,000	28,680,000
Contributions to investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	-43,140,000	-21,161,000
Distributions from investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities	4,000,000	44,178,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-119,527,000	-49,138,000
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	6,260,000	103,090,000
Principal payments on nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	-78,297,000	-97,171,000
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	65,950,000	85,225,000
Payments on revolving credit facility	-6,000,000	-85,225,000
Payments to noteholders related to exchange of convertible senior notes	-37,752,000	0
Transaction costs related to exchange of convertible senior notes	-4,675,000	0
Proceeds received from termination of convertible senior note hedge	17,818,000	0
Payments of deferred financing costs	-2,988,000	-1,278,000
Purchase of treasury stock	-588,000	-100,000
Exercise of stock options	0	181,000
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	-308,000	-8,125,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	16,055,000	1,554,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-4,553,000	-4,972,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-29,078,000	-6,821,000
Net decrease in cash and equivalents	-135,613,000	-36,038,000
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	326,518,000	280,206,000
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$190,905,000	$244,168,000

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies
	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-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as amended on Form 10-K/A’s on March 19, 2015 and May 4, 2015. 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.
	Reclassifications
	During the three months ended June 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 months ended March 31, 2014 have been reclassified.
	Planned REIT Conversion
	On January 13, 2015, the Company announced its Board of Directors approved a plan to pursue conversion to Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) status. The Company expects to elect REIT status for its taxable year beginning January 1, 2016, subject to business conditions, the completion of related preparatory work and obtaining necessary third-party consents.
	Variable Interest Entities
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company determined it was the primary beneficiary of 24 VIEs representing 21 consolidated properties. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company’s general credit. As of March 31, 2015, the Company determined it was not the primary beneficiary of 66 VIEs and accounts for these interests as equity method investments. The maximum exposure to loss of these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to $325,000,000, the Company’s investment balances as of March 31, 2015.
	New Accounting Guidance
	The following accounting pronouncements were adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	In January 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance to eliminate the concept of extraordinary items from GAAP. The presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently has been retained and expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. This guidance was early adopted effective January 1, 2015 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The following new accounting pronouncements will be adopted on their respective effective dates:
	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.
	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 February 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the consolidation accounting guidance. This guidance changes the required analysis to determine whether certain types of legal entities should be consolidated. The amendment modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and may affect the consolidation analysis of entities involved in VIEs, particularly those having fee arrangements and related party relationships. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim reporting periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This guidance requires that third-party debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim reporting periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its 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, 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. 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.
	Pursuant to the terms of the Master Contribution Agreement, in January 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 subsequently accounts 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 six months ended June 30, 2014, related to a tax indemnity payment due to the BCR Entities, all of which was paid as of March 31, 2015.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“accumulated OCI”):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$	215		$	137
	Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts (1)	93,595			96,084
		93,810			96,221
	Income tax benefit	(36,347		)	(37,281		)
	Noncontrolling interest	(91		)	(94		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$	57,372		$	58,846
	-1	Included in the amounts as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are $70,015 and $73,536, 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:
		Foreign Currency Translation			Interest Rate Contracts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Balance, January 1, 2015	$	(84	)	$	(58,762	)	$	(58,846	)
	Loss recognized in accumulated OCI	(48		)	(4,574		)	(4,622		)
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			6,096			6,096
	Total other comprehensive income	(48		)	1,522			1,474
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	(132	)	$	(57,240	)	$	(57,372	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(116	)	$	(76,466	)	$	(76,582	)
	Loss recognized in accumulated OCI	—			(2,611		)	(2,611		)
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			8,631			8,631
	Total other comprehensive income	—			6,020			6,020
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	(116	)	$	(70,446	)	$	(70,562	)
	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)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Interest rate contracts	$	8,971			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	991				Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax
		9,962				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(3,862		)		Income tax benefit
		(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	6,096			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate contracts	$	9,437			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	3,666				Discontinued operations
	Interest rate contracts	1,000				Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax
		14,103				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
	(5,468		)		Income tax benefit
	(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
	$	8,631			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, acquisition of rental properties, exchanges of senior notes for Class A common stock, change in construction payables and other capital expenditures, 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.
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Investing Activities
Increase in projects under construction and development	$	(12,577	)	$	(9,345	)
(Increase) decrease in completed rental properties	(33,486		)	53,285
Increase in restricted cash	—			(387		)
Increase in investments in and advances to affiliates	(12,921		)	(9,158		)
Total effect on investing activities	$	(58,984	)	$	34,395
Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	36,276			(33,812		)
Decrease in convertible senior debt	(286,196		)	—
Increase in Class A common stock	4,548			—
Increase (decrease) in additional paid-in capital	285,391			(26,473		)
Increase in treasury stock	(6,503		)	—
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			28,390
(Decrease) increase in noncontrolling interest	(532		)	4
Total effect on financing activities	$	32,984		$	(31,891	)

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015:
	Years Ending December 31,
		(in thousands)
	2015	$	429,436
	2016	143,888
	2017	1,181,842
	2018	275,939
	2019	300,401
	Thereafter	1,870,934
	Total	$	4,202,440

Revolving_Credit_Facility

Revolving Credit Facility	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all of these financial covenants.
	The following table summarizes available credit on the Credit Facility:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Maximum borrowings	$	500,000	$	500,000
	Less outstanding balances:
	Borrowings	59,950		—
	Letters of credit	76,008		85,768
	Surety bonds	—		—
	Available credit	$	364,042	$	414,232

Convertible_Senior_Debt

Convertible Senior Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Senior Debt	Convertible Senior Debt
	The following table summarizes the Company’s convertible senior debt:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	5.000% Notes due 2016	$	9,519		$	50,000
	4.250% Notes due 2018	229,913			350,000
	3.625% Notes due 2020	171,762			300,000
	Total	$	411,194		$	700,000
	As of March 31, 2015, the remaining 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.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company entered into separate, privately negotiated exchange agreements with certain holders of the Company’s convertible senior notes. Under the terms of the various agreements, holders agreed to exchange certain notes for shares of Class A common stock and cash payments. The cash payments were primarily for accrued and unpaid interest and in consideration for additional interest payable through maturity. The additional interest payable through maturity was based in part on the daily Volume Weighted Average Price during a 20-trading day measurement period following the agreement date for the 2018 and 2020 Senior Notes exchanges. Under the accounting guidance for induced conversions of convertible debt, additional amounts paid to induce the holders to exchange the notes were expensed resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt.
	The following table summarizes the 2015 exchange agreement transactions.
	Agreement Date	Issuance	Aggregate Principal			Class A Common Shares Issued	Cash Payments to Noteholders		Loss on Extinguishment
			(in thousands, except share data)
	26-Feb-15	2018 Senior Notes	$	120,087		5,541,115	$	13,641	$	13,372
	26-Feb-15	2020 Senior Notes	$	128,238		5,297,885	$	19,283	$	19,038
	5-Mar-15	2016 Senior Notes	$	40,481		2,805,513	$	6,163	$	2,732
			$	288,806		13,644,513	$	39,087	$	35,142
	Amounts paid to noteholders for consideration of additional interest through maturity are presented as cash used in financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
	In connection with the 2016 Senior Notes issuance, the Company entered into a convertible note hedge transaction intended to reduce the potential dilution with respect to the Company’s Class A common stock upon conversion of the 2016 Senior Notes. On March 3, 2015, the Company terminated and settled the convertible note hedge and received cash proceeds of $17,818,000 and 258,350 shares of Class A common stock, which the Company initially put into treasury. Under the accounting guidance, the total consideration received was recorded as an increase to additional paid in capital.
	All of the senior debt are unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with all existing and future unsecured indebtedness; however, they are effectively subordinated to the Credit Facility and all existing and future secured indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that other debt.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
	The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy using derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned impact on earnings and cash flows caused by interest rate volatility. The strategy uses 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 swaps are generally for periods of one to ten years. Option products 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 March 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded $3,666,000 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 classified as discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2015, the Company expects it will reclassify amounts recorded in accumulated OCI into earnings as an increase in interest expense of approximately $24,148,000, 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 (“TROR”) on various tax-exempt fixed-rate borrowings. The TROR convert borrowings from a fixed rate to a variable rate. In exchange for a fixed rate, the TROR requires the payment of a variable interest rate, generally equivalent to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) rate (0.02% at March 31, 2015) plus a spread. Additionally, the Company has guaranteed the fair value of the underlying borrowings. Fluctuation in the value of the TROR is offset by the fluctuation in the value of the underlying borrowings, resulting in minimal financial impact. At March 31, 2015, the aggregate notional amount of TROR designated as fair value hedging instruments is $366,985,000. The underlying TROR 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 in an effort to provide information that enables the financial statement user to understand the Company’s volume of derivative activity. The following table presents the fair values and location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of all derivative instruments:
		Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
		March 31, 2015
		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		$	25			$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—			—				669,154			72,331
	TROR	149,200			7,786				217,785			11,982
	Total	$	479,200		$	7,811			$	886,939		$	84,313
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	303,690		$	2			$	—		$	—
	TROR	101,338			4,381				38,402			14,895
	Total	$	405,028		$	4,383			$	38,402		$	14,895
		December 31, 2014
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	330,000		$	114			$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—			—				869,154			75,281
	TROR	149,200			6,379				217,785			11,983
	Total	$	479,200		$	6,493			$	1,086,939		$	87,264
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	205,522		$	12			$	—		$	—
	TROR	101,410			1,857				38,425			15,098
	Total	$	306,932		$	1,869			$	38,425		$	15,098
	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 (loss) and interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
						Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
	Derivatives Designated as	Loss Recognized				Location on Consolidated Statements	Effective			Ineffective
	Cash Flow Hedging Instruments	in OCI				of Operations	Amount			Amount
		(Effective Portion)
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	(7,472	)		Interest expense	$	(8,957	)	$	(14	)
						Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax	(990		)	(1		)
	Total	$	(7,472	)			$	(9,947	)	$	(15	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and Treasury options	$	(4,260	)		Interest expense	$	(9,437	)	$	—
						Discontinued operations	—			(3,666		)
						Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax	(1,000		)	—
	Total	$	(4,260	)			$	(10,437	)	$	(3,666	)
	The following table presents the impact of gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		Net Gain (Loss) Recognized
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
	TROR (1)	$	1,408		$	5,354
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	(11	)	$	(57	)
	TROR	2,727			(1,006		)
	Total	$	2,716		$	(1,063	)
	-1	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TROR borrowings was $(1,408) and $(5,354) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, offsetting the gain (loss) recognized on the TROR.
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 subsidiaries have agreements containing provisions whereby the subsidiaries must maintain certain minimum financial ratios. As of March 31, 2015, the Company does not have any derivative contracts containing credit-risk related contingent features, such as credit rating downgrade, that may trigger collateral to be posted with a counterparty.
The following table presents information about collateral posted for derivatives in liability positions as of March 31, 2015:
	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	$	669,154		$	75,832		$	(3,501	)	$	—		Mortgage liens	None
TROR	256,187			26,825			52			52,818			Restricted cash, notes receivable, letters of credit	None
Totals	$	925,341		$	102,657		$	(3,449	)	$	52,818

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 TROR with positive fair values included in other assets. The Company’s financial liabilities consist of interest rate swaps and TROR with negative fair values included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and borrowings subject to TROR included in mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse.
	The Company records the redeemable noncontrolling interest related to Brooklyn Arena, LLC at redemption value, which approximates fair value if greater than historical cost. In the event the historical cost 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 historical cost. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at historical cost for all periods presented.
	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:
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps (assets)	$	—		$	27		$	—		$	27
	Interest rate swaps (liabilities)	—			(2,316		)	(70,015		)	(72,331		)
	TROR (assets)	—			—			12,167			12,167
	TROR (liabilities)	—			—			(26,877		)	(26,877		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	—			—			4,196			4,196
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(178,050		)	(178,050		)
	Total	$	—		$	(2,289	)	$	(258,579	)	$	(260,868	)
		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps (assets)	$	—		$	126		$	—		$	126
	Interest rate swaps (liabilities)	—			(1,745		)	(73,536		)	(75,281		)
	TROR (assets)	—			—			8,236			8,236
	TROR (liabilities)	—			—			(27,081		)	(27,081		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	—			—			5,604			5,604
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(183,038		)	(183,038		)
	Total	$	—		$	(1,619	)	$	(269,815	)	$	(271,434	)
	-1	Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at historical cost for period presented.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of 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 TROR			Total
		Noncontrolling				Swaps				TROR			adjustment			Related
		Interest											to the borrowings
													subject to TROR
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Balance, January 1, 2015 (1)	$	(183,038	)		$	(73,536	)		$	(18,845	)	$	5,604		$	(13,241	)	$	(269,815	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	4,988				—				—			—			—			4,988
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				4,135			(1,408		)	2,727			2,727
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				3,521				—			—			—			3,521
	Balance, March 31, 2015 (1)	$	(178,050	)		$	(70,015	)		$	(14,710	)	$	4,196		$	(10,514	)	$	(258,579	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(171,743	)		$	(97,360	)		$	(24,346	)	$	8,869		$	(15,477	)	$	(284,580	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	3,093				—				—			—			—			3,093
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				4,348			(5,354		)	(1,006		)	(1,006		)
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				5,515				—			—			—			5,515
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(28,390		)		—				—			—			—			(28,390		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014 (1)	$	(197,040	)		$	(91,845	)		$	(19,998	)	$	3,515		$	(16,483	)	$	(305,368	)
	-1	Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at historical cost for period presented.
	The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value March 31, 2015			Valuation	Unobservable	Input Values
					Technique	Input
		(in thousands)
	Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	$	3,354		Potential future exposure	Credit spread	4.00%
	TROR	$	(14,710	)	Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 114.21
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	$	4,196		Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 114.21
	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, TROR and fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR 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 or the prevailing interest rate if long-term. 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 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, conversion features on convertible senior debt 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 and convertible senior debt:
		March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
		Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Fixed Rate Debt	$	2,664,795		$	3,105,674			$	2,993,591		$	3,421,373
Variable Rate Debt	2,008,789			1,994,026				1,944,610			1,924,823
Total	$	4,673,584		$	5,099,700			$	4,938,201		$	5,346,196

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Stock	Capital Stock
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued shares of Class A common stock in connection with the privately negotiated exchange transactions involving a portion of the Company’s 2016, 2018 and 2020 Senior Notes. See Note D – Convertible Senior Debt for detailed information on these Class A common stock issuances, as well as the receipt of shares of Class A common stock in connection with the termination of a convertible note hedge related to the 2016 Senior Notes.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted 28,240 stock options, 826,718 shares of restricted stock and 627,385 performance shares under the Company’s 1994 Stock Plan. The stock options had a grant-date fair value of $7.79, which was computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions: expected term of 5.5 years, expected volatility of 30.8%, risk-free interest rate of 1.71%, and expected dividend yield of 0%. The exercise price of the options is $24.62, 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 $24.62 per share, the closing price of the Class A common stock on the date of grant. The performance shares had a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $32.14 per share, which was computed using Monte Carlo simulations.
	At March 31, 2015, $2,373,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 27 months, $30,223,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 32 months, and $25,451,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to performance shares is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 31 months.
	Stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Stock option costs	$	653		$	1,456
	Restricted stock costs	5,004			3,724
	Performance share costs	1,260			851
	Total stock-based compensation costs	6,917			6,031
	Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	(1,662		)	(2,065		)
	Amount charged to operating expenses	5,255			3,966
	Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	226			258
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,481		$	4,224
	Deferred income tax benefit	$	2,073		$	1,566
	The amount of grant-date fair value expensed immediately for awards granted to retirement-eligible grantees during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1,926,000 and $1,358,000, respectively.
	In connection with the vesting of restricted stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company repurchased 25,302 shares and 5,483 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 $588,000 and $100,000, respectively.

WriteOff_of_Abandoned_Developm

Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Write-off of Abandoned Development Projects [Abstract]
Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects [Text Block]	Write-Offs of Abandoned Development Projects
	On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews each project under development to determine whether it is probable 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 no write-offs of abandoned development projects during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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. There were no impairments recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.
	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 months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.

Loss_on_Extinguishment_of_Debt

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Extinguishment of Debt Disclosures [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt [Text Block]	Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded $35,154,000 and $164,000, respectively, as loss on extinguishment of debt. The loss on extinguishment of debt recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily relates to the privately negotiated exchange transactions involving a portion of the Company’s 2016, 2018 and 2020 Senior Notes. See Note D – Convertible Senior Debt for detailed information on the loss on extinguishment of debt.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense was $815,000 and $3,931,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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. The most significant permanent difference during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was the loss on extinguishment of debt recorded in connection with the privately negotiated exchanges of a portion of the Company’s Senior Notes.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had a federal net operating loss carryforward for tax purposes of $307,200,000 expiring in the years ending December 31, 2029 through 2034, a charitable contribution deduction carryforward of $16,234,000 expiring in the years ending December 31, 2015 through 2019, General business credit carryovers of $36,779,000 expiring in the years ending December 31, 2018 through 2034, and an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit carryforward of $27,452,000 that is available until used to reduce federal tax to the AMT amount.
	If the Company converts to REIT status, it is anticipated certain subsidiaries may be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries and would continue to be subject to corporate income taxes. In addition, the Company could be subject to corporate income taxes related to assets sold during the 10-year period following the date of conversion, to the extent such assets had a built-in gain on the date of conversion.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties	Discontinued Operations
	The following tables summarize the rental properties included in discontinued operations during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Property	Location	Square Feet	Period Disposed	Three Months Ended 3/31/15	Three Months Ended 3/31/14
	Commercial Group:
	Promenade Bolingbrook	Bolingbrook, Illinois	771,000 square feet	Q2-2014 (1)	—	Yes
	Quartermaster Plaza	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	456,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	Albuquerque, New Mexico	87,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes
	-1	Classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2014.
	Effective April 1, 2014, the Company adopted the new accounting guidance for reporting discontinued operations. As a result, fewer rental property disposals qualify to be reported as discontinued operations. There were no rental property dispositions during the three months ended March 31, 2015 that met the requirements for discontinued operations reporting.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—		$	6,995
	Expenses
	Operating expenses	—			4,775
	Depreciation and amortization	—			987
		—			5,762
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			26,824
	Interest expense	—			(5,483		)
	Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	—			(41		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			(17		)
	Earnings before income taxes	—			22,516
	Income tax expense	—			10,644
	Earnings from discontinued operations	—			11,872
	Noncontrolling interest
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			58
	Operating loss from rental properties	—			(8		)
		—			50
	Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	—		$	11,822
	The following table summarizes the pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Quartermaster Plaza (Specialty Retail Center)	$	—		$	26,373
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE (Office Building)	—			451
		$	—		$	26,824
	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 (loss) and are summarized in the following table:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Apartment Communities:
	Westwood Reserve	Tampa, Florida	$	—		$	8,904
	Legacy Crossroads	Cary, North Carolina	—			6,216
	Colonial Grand	Tampa, Florida	—			4,904
	Legacy Arboretum	Charlotte, North Carolina	—			3,257
	Barrington Place	Raleigh, North Carolina	—			1,515
			$	—		$	24,796

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 conversion of the 2016 Senior Notes, 2018 Senior Notes and 2020 Senior Notes is included in the computation of diluted EPS using the if-converted method. The loss from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was allocated solely to holders of common stock as the participating security holders do not share in the losses.
	The reconciliation of the basic and diluted EPS computations is shown in the following table:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Numerators (in thousands)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(54,209	)	$	3,698
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			(106		)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(54,209	)	$	3,592
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			106
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(54,209	)	$	3,698
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(54,209	)	$	15,520
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			(444		)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(54,209	)	$	15,076
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			444
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(54,209	)	$	15,520
	Denominators
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Basic	202,963,083			197,739,076
	Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	—			1,926,005
	Effect of convertible debt	—			—
	Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	—			3,646,755
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Diluted (1)	202,963,083			203,311,836
	Earnings Per Share
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(0.27	)	$	0.08
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(0.27	)	$	0.08
	-1	Incremental shares from dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities aggregating 33,828,488 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were not included in the computation of EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt of 32,138,215 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares of 2,444,380 and 3,195,616 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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.
		March 31, 2015			31-Dec-14
		Identifiable Assets
	Commercial Group	$	4,211,742		$	4,210,714
	Residential Group	3,298,255			3,172,188
	Arena	963,029			955,570
	Land Development Group	259,399			250,833
	Corporate Activities	62,966			225,635
		$	8,795,391		$	8,814,940
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		Revenues						Operating Expenses
	Commercial Group	$	128,545		$	130,085		$	73,090		$	81,548
	Residential Group	69,660			65,669			43,239			45,669
	Arena	28,820			35,357			19,958			23,476
	Land Development Group	10,057			18,426			4,641			8,849
	Corporate Activities	—			—			19,715			11,561
		$	237,082		$	249,537		$	160,643		$	171,103
		Depreciation and Amortization						Interest and Other Income
	Commercial Group	$	32,851		$	30,259		$	2,633		$	1,784
	Residential Group	19,376			15,396			2,996			6,445
	Arena	8,790			8,532			—			—
	Land Development Group	89			86			4,040			3,245
	Corporate Activities	708			736			35			29
		$	61,814		$	55,009		$	9,704		$	11,503
		Interest Expense						Capital Expenditures
	Commercial Group	$	30,322		$	34,566		$	28,882		$	30,997
	Residential Group	4,465			9,185			43,440			53,803
	Arena	10,108			9,557			2,652			5,937
	Land Development Group	(465		)	(138		)	15			16
	Corporate Activities	8,146			9,282			—			—
		$	52,576		$	62,452		$	74,989		$	90,753
	The Company uses Funds From Operations (“FFO”) to report its operating results. FFO, a non-GAAP measure as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”), is a measure of performance used by publicly traded 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); and iv) cumulative or retrospective effect of change in accounting principle (net of tax).
	The Company believes that, although its business has many facets such as development, acquisitions, disposals, and property management, the core of its business is the recurring operations of its portfolio of real estate assets. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the chief operating decision maker, uses FFO, as presented, to assess performance of the Company’s real estate assets by reportable operating segment because it provides information on the financial performance of the core real estate portfolio operations. FFO measures the profitability of a real estate segment’s operations of collecting rent, paying operating expenses and servicing its debt.
	The reconciliations of net earnings (loss) to FFO by segment are shown in the following tables. All amounts are presented in thousands.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land		Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development		Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(67	)	$	5,637		$	(5,048	)	$	10,562	$	(65,293	)	$	(54,209	)
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	45,684			24,000			5,055			41		—			74,780
	FFO	$	45,617		$	29,637		$	7		$	10,603	$	(65,293	)	$	20,571
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land		Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development		Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	12,330		$	32,167		$	(3,292	)	$	11,593	$	(37,278	)	$	15,520
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	42,709			22,337			4,941			33		—			70,020
	Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	467			—			—			—		—			467
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	—			(24,796		)	—			—		—			(24,796		)
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	986			—			—			—		—			986
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(26,766		)	—			—			—		—			(26,766		)
	Income tax expense on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—		19,898			19,898
	FFO	$	29,726		$	29,708		$	1,649		$	11,626	$	(17,380	)	$	55,329

Subsequent_Event_Subsequent_Ev

Subsequent Event Subsequent Event	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Event
	On April 28, 2015, the Company entered into a share purchase and redemption agreement with Health Care REIT, Inc. to acquire its 49% equity interest in seven life science office properties and two parking facilities at University Park at MIT, a mixed-use life science office campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts (“MIT Assets”). The redemption price is $573,500,000 less Health Care REIT, Inc’s 49% share of the outstanding debt on the MIT Assets at closing estimated to be approximately $174,000,000. The Company intends to finance the purchase price primarily through one or more capital markets transactions prior to the anticipated closing date. Upon closing, which is expected to be no later than September 30, 2015, the Company will own 100% of the MIT Assets. As a result, we will be required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of the MIT Assets and expect to record a gain on change in control of interests in excess of $400,000,000.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as amended on Form 10-K/A’s on March 19, 2015 and May 4, 2015. 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.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	During the three months ended June 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 months ended March 31, 2014 have been reclassified.
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company determined it was the primary beneficiary of 24 VIEs representing 21 consolidated properties. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the Company’s general credit. As of March 31, 2015, the Company determined it was not the primary beneficiary of 66 VIEs and accounts for these interests as equity method investments. The maximum exposure to loss of these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to $325,000,000, the Company’s investment balances as of March 31, 2015.
New Accounting Guidance	New Accounting Guidance
	The following accounting pronouncements were adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	In January 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance to eliminate the concept of extraordinary items from GAAP. The presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently has been retained and expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. This guidance was early adopted effective January 1, 2015 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The following new accounting pronouncements will be adopted on their respective effective dates:
	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.
	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 February 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the consolidation accounting guidance. This guidance changes the required analysis to determine whether certain types of legal entities should be consolidated. The amendment modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and may affect the consolidation analysis of entities involved in VIEs, particularly those having fee arrangements and related party relationships. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim reporting periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This guidance requires that third-party debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim reporting periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Accounting_Policies_Tables

Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“accumulated OCI”):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$	215		$	137
	Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts (1)	93,595			96,084
		93,810			96,221
	Income tax benefit	(36,347		)	(37,281		)
	Noncontrolling interest	(91		)	(94		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$	57,372		$	58,846
	-1	Included in the amounts as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are $70,015 and $73,536, 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:
		Foreign Currency Translation			Interest Rate Contracts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Balance, January 1, 2015	$	(84	)	$	(58,762	)	$	(58,846	)
	Loss recognized in accumulated OCI	(48		)	(4,574		)	(4,622		)
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			6,096			6,096
	Total other comprehensive income	(48		)	1,522			1,474
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	(132	)	$	(57,240	)	$	(57,372	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(116	)	$	(76,466	)	$	(76,582	)
	Loss recognized in accumulated OCI	—			(2,611		)	(2,611		)
	Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	—			8,631			8,631
	Total other comprehensive income	—			6,020			6,020
	Balance, March 31, 2014	$	(116	)	$	(70,446	)	$	(70,562	)
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)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Interest rate contracts	$	8,971			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	991				Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax
		9,962				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(3,862		)		Income tax benefit
		(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	6,096			Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate contracts	$	9,437			Interest expense
	Interest rate contracts	3,666				Discontinued operations
	Interest rate contracts	1,000				Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax
		14,103				Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest
		(5,468		)		Income tax benefit
		(4		)		Noncontrolling interest
		$	8,631			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, acquisition of rental properties, exchanges of senior notes for Class A common stock, change in construction payables and other capital expenditures, 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.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Investing Activities
	Increase in projects under construction and development	$	(12,577	)	$	(9,345	)
	(Increase) decrease in completed rental properties	(33,486		)	53,285
	Increase in restricted cash	—			(387		)
	Increase in investments in and advances to affiliates	(12,921		)	(9,158		)
	Total effect on investing activities	$	(58,984	)	$	34,395
	Financing Activities
	Increase (decrease) in nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	36,276			(33,812		)
	Decrease in convertible senior debt	(286,196		)	—
	Increase in Class A common stock	4,548			—
	Increase (decrease) in additional paid-in capital	285,391			(26,473		)
	Increase in treasury stock	(6,503		)	—
	Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			28,390
	(Decrease) increase in noncontrolling interest	(532		)	4
	Total effect on financing activities	$	32,984		$	(31,891	)

Mortgage_Debt_and_Notes_Payabl1

Mortgage Debt and Notes Payable, Nonrecourse (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015:
	Years Ending December 31,
		(in thousands)
	2015	$	429,436
	2016	143,888
	2017	1,181,842
	2018	275,939
	2019	300,401
	Thereafter	1,870,934
	Total	$	4,202,440

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Tabl

Revolving Credit Facility (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Available credit on the Credit Facility	The following table summarizes available credit on the Credit Facility:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Maximum borrowings	$	500,000	$	500,000
	Less outstanding balances:
	Borrowings	59,950		—
	Letters of credit	76,008		85,768
	Surety bonds	—		—
	Available credit	$	364,042	$	414,232

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Tables

Convertible Senior Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Convertible Senior Debt	The following table summarizes the Company’s convertible senior debt:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	5.000% Notes due 2016	$	9,519		$	50,000
	4.250% Notes due 2018	229,913			350,000
	3.625% Notes due 2020	171,762			300,000
	Total	$	411,194		$	700,000
Schedule of Exchange Agreement Transactions	The following table summarizes the 2015 exchange agreement transactions.
	Agreement Date	Issuance	Aggregate Principal			Class A Common Shares Issued	Cash Payments to Noteholders		Loss on Extinguishment
			(in thousands, except share data)
	26-Feb-15	2018 Senior Notes	$	120,087		5,541,115	$	13,641	$	13,372
	26-Feb-15	2020 Senior Notes	$	128,238		5,297,885	$	19,283	$	19,038
	5-Mar-15	2016 Senior Notes	$	40,481		2,805,513	$	6,163	$	2,732
			$	288,806		13,644,513	$	39,087	$	35,142

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	The following table presents the fair values and location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of all derivative instruments:
		Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
		March 31, 2015
		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		$	25			$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—			—				669,154			72,331
	TROR	149,200			7,786				217,785			11,982
	Total	$	479,200		$	7,811			$	886,939		$	84,313
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	303,690		$	2			$	—		$	—
	TROR	101,338			4,381				38,402			14,895
	Total	$	405,028		$	4,383			$	38,402		$	14,895
		December 31, 2014
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	330,000		$	114			$	—		$	—
	Interest rate swaps	—			—				869,154			75,281
	TROR	149,200			6,379				217,785			11,983
	Total	$	479,200		$	6,493			$	1,086,939		$	87,264
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps	$	205,522		$	12			$	—		$	—
	TROR	101,410			1,857				38,425			15,098
	Total	$	306,932		$	1,869			$	38,425		$	15,098
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 (loss) and interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
						Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
	Derivatives Designated as	Loss Recognized				Location on Consolidated Statements	Effective			Ineffective
	Cash Flow Hedging Instruments	in OCI				of Operations	Amount			Amount
		(Effective Portion)
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	(7,472	)		Interest expense	$	(8,957	)	$	(14	)
						Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax	(990		)	(1		)
	Total	$	(7,472	)			$	(9,947	)	$	(15	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and Treasury options	$	(4,260	)		Interest expense	$	(9,437	)	$	—
						Discontinued operations	—			(3,666		)
						Earnings from unconsolidated entities, gross of tax	(1,000		)	—
	Total	$	(4,260	)			$	(10,437	)	$	(3,666	)
Impact of Gains (Losses) Related to Derivative Instruments	The following table presents the impact of gains and losses related to derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		Net Gain (Loss) Recognized
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
	TROR (1)	$	1,408		$	5,354
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps	$	(11	)	$	(57	)
	TROR	2,727			(1,006		)
	Total	$	2,716		$	(1,063	)
	-1	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TROR borrowings was $(1,408) and $(5,354) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, offsetting the gain (loss) recognized on the TROR.
Collateral Posted for Derivatives in Liability Positions	The following table presents information about collateral posted for derivatives in liability positions as of March 31, 2015:
		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	$	669,154		$	75,832		$	(3,501	)	$	—		Mortgage liens	None
	TROR	256,187			26,825			52			52,818			Restricted cash, notes receivable, letters of credit	None
	Totals	$	925,341		$	102,657		$	(3,449	)	$	52,818

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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:
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps (assets)	$	—		$	27		$	—		$	27
	Interest rate swaps (liabilities)	—			(2,316		)	(70,015		)	(72,331		)
	TROR (assets)	—			—			12,167			12,167
	TROR (liabilities)	—			—			(26,877		)	(26,877		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	—			—			4,196			4,196
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(178,050		)	(178,050		)
	Total	$	—		$	(2,289	)	$	(258,579	)	$	(260,868	)
		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Interest rate caps (assets)	$	—		$	126		$	—		$	126
	Interest rate swaps (liabilities)	—			(1,745		)	(73,536		)	(75,281		)
	TROR (assets)	—			—			8,236			8,236
	TROR (liabilities)	—			—			(27,081		)	(27,081		)
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	—			—			5,604			5,604
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest (1)	—			—			(183,038		)	(183,038		)
	Total	$	—		$	(1,619	)	$	(269,815	)	$	(271,434	)
	-1	Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at historical cost for period presented.
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 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 TROR			Total
		Noncontrolling				Swaps				TROR			adjustment			Related
		Interest											to the borrowings
													subject to TROR
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Balance, January 1, 2015 (1)	$	(183,038	)		$	(73,536	)		$	(18,845	)	$	5,604		$	(13,241	)	$	(269,815	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	4,988				—				—			—			—			4,988
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				4,135			(1,408		)	2,727			2,727
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				3,521				—			—			—			3,521
	Balance, March 31, 2015 (1)	$	(178,050	)		$	(70,015	)		$	(14,710	)	$	4,196		$	(10,514	)	$	(258,579	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	(171,743	)		$	(97,360	)		$	(24,346	)	$	8,869		$	(15,477	)	$	(284,580	)
	Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	3,093				—				—			—			—			3,093
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—				—				4,348			(5,354		)	(1,006		)	(1,006		)
	Included in other comprehensive income	—				5,515				—			—			—			5,515
	Included in additional paid-in capital	(28,390		)		—				—			—			—			(28,390		)
	Balance, March 31, 2014 (1)	$	(197,040	)		$	(91,845	)		$	(19,998	)	$	3,515		$	(16,483	)	$	(305,368	)
	-1	Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at historical cost for period presented.
Significant Unobservable Inputs Used to Estimate Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015:
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value March 31, 2015			Valuation	Unobservable	Input Values
					Technique	Input
		(in thousands)
	Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap	$	3,354		Potential future exposure	Credit spread	4.00%
	TROR	$	(14,710	)	Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 114.21
	Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	$	4,196		Third party bond pricing	Bond valuation	79.59 - 114.21
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 and convertible senior debt:
		March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
		Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Fixed Rate Debt	$	2,664,795		$	3,105,674			$	2,993,591		$	3,421,373
	Variable Rate Debt	2,008,789			1,994,026				1,944,610			1,924,823
	Total	$	4,673,584		$	5,099,700			$	4,938,201		$	5,346,196

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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	Stock-based compensation costs and related deferred income tax benefit recognized in the financial statements are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Stock option costs	$	653		$	1,456
	Restricted stock costs	5,004			3,724
	Performance share costs	1,260			851
	Total stock-based compensation costs	6,917			6,031
	Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	(1,662		)	(2,065		)
	Amount charged to operating expenses	5,255			3,966
	Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	226			258
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	5,481		$	4,224
	Deferred income tax benefit	$	2,073		$	1,566

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Summary of Rental Properties Included in Discontinued Operations	The following tables summarize the rental properties included in discontinued operations during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Property	Location	Square Feet	Period Disposed	Three Months Ended 3/31/15	Three Months Ended 3/31/14
	Commercial Group:
	Promenade Bolingbrook	Bolingbrook, Illinois	771,000 square feet	Q2-2014 (1)	—	Yes
	Quartermaster Plaza	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	456,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE	Albuquerque, New Mexico	87,000 square feet	Q1-2014	—	Yes
	-1	Classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2014.
Summary of Operating Results of Discontinued Operations
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—		$	6,995
	Expenses
	Operating expenses	—			4,775
	Depreciation and amortization	—			987
		—			5,762
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			26,824
	Interest expense	—			(5,483		)
	Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	—			(41		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			(17		)
	Earnings before income taxes	—			22,516
	Income tax expense	—			10,644
	Earnings from discontinued operations	—			11,872
	Noncontrolling interest
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			58
	Operating loss from rental properties	—			(8		)
		—			50
	Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	—		$	11,822
Pre-tax Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties	The following table summarizes the pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Quartermaster Plaza (Specialty Retail Center)	$	—		$	26,373
	Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE (Office Building)	—			451
		$	—		$	26,824
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 (loss) and are summarized in the following table:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Apartment Communities:
	Westwood Reserve	Tampa, Florida	$	—		$	8,904
	Legacy Crossroads	Cary, North Carolina	—			6,216
	Colonial Grand	Tampa, Florida	—			4,904
	Legacy Arboretum	Charlotte, North Carolina	—			3,257
	Barrington Place	Raleigh, North Carolina	—			1,515
			$	—		$	24,796

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted EPS Computations	The reconciliation of the basic and diluted EPS computations is shown in the following table:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Numerators (in thousands)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(54,209	)	$	3,698
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			(106		)
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(54,209	)	$	3,592
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			106
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(54,209	)	$	3,698
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(54,209	)	$	15,520
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			(444		)
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(54,209	)	$	15,076
	Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	—			444
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(54,209	)	$	15,520
	Denominators
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Basic	202,963,083			197,739,076
	Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	—			1,926,005
	Effect of convertible debt	—			—
	Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	—			3,646,755
	Weighted average shares outstanding ‑ Diluted (1)	202,963,083			203,311,836
	Earnings Per Share
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02
	Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Basic	$	(0.27	)	$	0.08
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders ‑ Diluted	$	(0.27	)	$	0.08
	-1	Incremental shares from dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities aggregating 33,828,488 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were not included in the computation of EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt of 32,138,215 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares of 2,444,380 and 3,195,616 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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.
		March 31, 2015			31-Dec-14
		Identifiable Assets
	Commercial Group	$	4,211,742		$	4,210,714
	Residential Group	3,298,255			3,172,188
	Arena	963,029			955,570
	Land Development Group	259,399			250,833
	Corporate Activities	62,966			225,635
		$	8,795,391		$	8,814,940
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		Revenues						Operating Expenses
	Commercial Group	$	128,545		$	130,085		$	73,090		$	81,548
	Residential Group	69,660			65,669			43,239			45,669
	Arena	28,820			35,357			19,958			23,476
	Land Development Group	10,057			18,426			4,641			8,849
	Corporate Activities	—			—			19,715			11,561
		$	237,082		$	249,537		$	160,643		$	171,103
		Depreciation and Amortization						Interest and Other Income
	Commercial Group	$	32,851		$	30,259		$	2,633		$	1,784
	Residential Group	19,376			15,396			2,996			6,445
	Arena	8,790			8,532			—			—
	Land Development Group	89			86			4,040			3,245
	Corporate Activities	708			736			35			29
		$	61,814		$	55,009		$	9,704		$	11,503
		Interest Expense						Capital Expenditures
	Commercial Group	$	30,322		$	34,566		$	28,882		$	30,997
	Residential Group	4,465			9,185			43,440			53,803
	Arena	10,108			9,557			2,652			5,937
	Land Development Group	(465		)	(138		)	15			16
	Corporate Activities	8,146			9,282			—			—
		$	52,576		$	62,452		$	74,989		$	90,753
Reconciliation of Net Earnings (Loss) to FFO by Segment	The reconciliations of net earnings (loss) to FFO by segment are shown in the following tables. All amounts are presented in thousands.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land		Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development		Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	(67	)	$	5,637		$	(5,048	)	$	10,562	$	(65,293	)	$	(54,209	)
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	45,684			24,000			5,055			41		—			74,780
	FFO	$	45,617		$	29,637		$	7		$	10,603	$	(65,293	)	$	20,571
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Commercial			Residential			Arena			Land		Corporate			Total
		Group			Group						Development		Activities
											Group
	Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$	12,330		$	32,167		$	(3,292	)	$	11,593	$	(37,278	)	$	15,520
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	42,709			22,337			4,941			33		—			70,020
	Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties	467			—			—			—		—			467
	Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	—			(24,796		)	—			—		—			(24,796		)
	Discontinued operations:
	Depreciation and amortization – Real Estate Groups	986			—			—			—		—			986
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	(26,766		)	—			—			—		—			(26,766		)
	Income tax expense on non-FFO:
	Gain on disposition of rental properties	—			—			—			—		19,898			19,898
	FFO	$	29,726		$	29,708		$	1,649		$	11,626	$	(17,380	)	$	55,329

Accounting_Policies_Details

Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("accumulated OCI")
Unrealized losses on foreign currency translation	$215		$137
Unrealized losses on interest rate contracts	93,595	[1]	96,084	[1]
Total unrealized losses	93,810		96,221
Income tax benefit	-36,347		-37,281
Noncontrolling interest	-91		-94
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	$57,372		$58,846		$70,562	$76,582
[1]	Included in the amounts as of MarchB 31,B 2015 and DecemberB 31,B 2014 are $70,015 and $73,536, respectively, of unrealized loss on an interest rate swap associated with NewB YorkB Times office building on its nonrecourse mortgage debt with a notional amount of $640,000. This swap effectively fixes the mortgage at an all-in lender interest rate of 6.40% and expires in September 2017.

Accounting_Policies_Details_1

Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	($58,846,000)	($76,582,000)
OCI before reclassifications	-4,622,000	-2,611,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	6,096,000	8,631,000
Total other comprehensive income	1,474,000	6,020,000
Balance, ending	-57,372,000	-70,562,000
Foreign Currency Translation
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	-84,000	-116,000
OCI before reclassifications	-48,000	0
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	-48,000	0
Balance, ending	-132,000	-116,000
Interest Rate Contracts
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance, beginning	-58,762,000	-76,466,000
OCI before reclassifications	-4,574,000	-2,611,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	6,096,000	8,631,000
Total other comprehensive income	1,522,000	6,020,000
Balance, ending	($57,240,000)	($70,446,000)

Accounting_Policies_Details_2

Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	$52,576,000	$62,452,000
Discontinued operations	0	2,641,000
Equity in earnings	-9,313,000	-34,029,000
Income tax benefit	815,000	3,931,000
Noncontrolling Interest	-2,795,000	-1,121,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	-6,096,000	-8,631,000
Reclassification out of accumulated OCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	8,971,000	9,437,000
Discontinued operations		3,666,000
Equity in earnings	991,000	1,000,000
Total before income tax and noncontrolling interest	9,962,000	14,103,000
Income tax benefit	-3,862,000	-5,468,000
Noncontrolling Interest	-4,000	-4,000
Loss reclassified from accumulated OCI	$6,096,000	$8,631,000

Accounting_Policies_Accounting

Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Investing Activities
Increase in projects under construction and development	($12,577,000)	($9,345,000)
(Increase) decrease in completed rental properties	-33,486,000	53,285,000
Increase in restricted cash	0	-387,000
Increase in investments in and advances to affiliates	-12,921,000	-9,158,000
Total effect on investing activities	-58,984,000	34,395,000
Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable	36,276,000	-33,812,000
Decrease in convertible senior debt	-286,196,000	0
Increase in Class A common stock	4,548,000	0
Increase (decrease) in additional paid-in capital	285,391,000	-26,473,000
Increase in treasury stock	-6,503,000	0
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	28,390,000
(Decrease) increase in noncontrolling interest	-532,000	4,000
Total effect on financing activities	$32,984,000	($31,891,000)

Accounting_Policies_Details_Te

Accounting Policies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum loss exposure for unconsolidated variable interest entities	$325
Primary beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of variable interest entities	24
Number of properties represented by variable interest entities	21
Not primary beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of variable interest entities	66

Accounting_Policies_Accounting1

Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Details Textual 1) (BCR transaction [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2006
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		project	property
BCR transaction [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties			30
Costs of interest transferred to affiliates of the Company		$14,286
Number of projects		3
Tax indemnity payment accrual	$1,646

Accounting_Policies_Details_Te1

Accounting Policies (Details Textual 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Unrealized losses	$70,015	$73,536
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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Composition of mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse maturities
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2015	$429,436
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2016	143,888
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2017	1,181,842
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2018	275,939
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities in 2019	300,401
Mortgage debt and notes payable nonrecourse maturities total maturities thereafter	1,870,934
Mortgage debt and notes payable, nonrecourse - Total	$4,202,440	$4,238,201

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Deta

Revolving Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Maximum borrowings	$500,000,000	$500,000,000
Borrowings	59,950,000	0
Letters of credit	76,008,000	85,768,000
Surety bonds	0	0
Available credit	$364,042,000	$414,232,000

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Deta1

Revolving Credit Facility (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	option
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total available borrowings	$500,000,000	$500,000,000
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Number of Credit Facility extension options	1
Term of Credit Facility extension option	12 months
Amount of available borrowings that can be used for letters of credit and/or surety bonds	100,000,000
Common stock Class A | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum Class A common stock repurchase amount	100,000,000
Common stock Class A or B [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum dividend restriction in any four fiscal quarter period	$24,000,000
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Variable rate basis spread of debt instrument	3.50%

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Detail

Convertible Senior Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of convertible senior debt
Convertible senior debt	$411,194,000	$700,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Schedule of convertible senior debt
Convertible senior debt	411,194,000	700,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Notes due 2016 [Member]
Schedule of convertible senior debt
Interest rate	5.00%
Convertible senior debt	9,519,000	50,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Notes due 2018 [Member]
Schedule of convertible senior debt
Interest rate	4.25%
Convertible senior debt	229,913,000	350,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Notes due 2020 [Member]
Schedule of convertible senior debt
Interest rate	3.63%
Convertible senior debt	$171,762,000	$300,000,000

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Detail1

Convertible Senior Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 26, 2015	Mar. 05, 2015
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment	($35,154)	($164)
Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal			120,087
Cash payments to noteholders			13,641
Loss on extinguishment			13,372
Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] | Common stock Class A
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Class A Common Shares Issued			5,541,115
Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal			128,238
Cash payments to noteholders			19,283
Loss on extinguishment			19,038
Senior Notes due 2020 [Member] | Common stock Class A
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Class A Common Shares Issued			5,297,885
Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal				40,481
Cash payments to noteholders				6,163
Loss on extinguishment				2,732
Senior Notes due 2016 [Member] | Common stock Class A
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Class A Common Shares Issued				2,805,513
Senior Notes due 2016, 2018 and 2020 [Member]
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Aggregate Principal	288,806
Cash payments to noteholders	39,087
Loss on extinguishment	$35,142
Senior Notes due 2016, 2018 and 2020 [Member] | Common stock Class A
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Class A Common Shares Issued	13,644,513

Convertible_Senior_Debt_Detail2

Convertible Senior Debt (Details Textuals) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 04, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
		D
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of trading days to determine additional interest payable		20
Cash proceeds from termination and settlement of convertible note hedge	$17,818
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share		13.91
Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share		24.21
Common stock Class A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Shares received for termination and settlement of convertible note hedge	258,350

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	$925,341,000
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	479,200,000	479,200,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	7,811,000	6,493,000
Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	405,028,000	306,932,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4,383,000	1,869,000
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	886,939,000	1,086,939,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	84,313,000	87,264,000
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	38,402,000	38,425,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	14,895,000	15,098,000
Interest rate caps [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	330,000,000	330,000,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	25,000	114,000
Interest rate caps [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	303,690,000	205,522,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	2,000	12,000
Interest rate caps [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	0	0
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0	0
Interest rate caps [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued 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 and Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	669,154,000	869,154,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	72,331,000	75,281,000
TROR [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	256,187,000
TROR [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	149,200,000	149,200,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	7,786,000	6,379,000
TROR [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives, Current Notional	101,338,000	101,410,000
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	4,381,000	1,857,000
TROR [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	217,785,000	217,785,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	11,982,000	11,983,000
TROR [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives, Current Notional	38,402,000	38,425,000
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	$14,895,000	$15,098,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	($7,472)	($4,260)
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-9,947	-10,437
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	-15	-3,666
Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	-7,472
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	-8,957
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	-14
Interest rate caps and interest rate swaps [Member] | Earnings (loss) from Unconsolidated Entities, Gross of Tax [Member]
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount	-990
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount	-1
Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and treasury options [Member]
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)		-4,260
Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and treasury options [Member] | Interest expense [Member]
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount		-9,437
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount		0
Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and treasury options [Member] | Earnings (loss) from Unconsolidated Entities, Gross of Tax [Member]
Derivative instruments gain (loss) in financial statements
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, effective amount		-1,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, ineffective amount		0
Interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and treasury options [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)

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	$2,716		($1,063)
TROR [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	2,727		-1,006
TROR [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative net gain (loss) recognized in income statement	1,408	[1]	5,354	[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	($11)		($57)
[1]	The net gain (loss) recognized in interest expense from the change in fair value of the underlying TROR borrowings was $(1,408) and $(5,354) for the three months ended MarchB 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, offsetting the gainB (loss) recognized on the TROR.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$925,341,000
Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk	102,657,000
Nonperformance Risk	-3,449,000
Collateral Posted	52,818,000
Property Specific Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	669,154,000
Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk	75,832,000
Nonperformance Risk	-3,501,000
Collateral Posted	0
Nature of Collateral	Mortgage liens
Credit Risk Contingent Feature	None
TROR [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	256,187,000
Fair Value Prior to Nonperformance Risk	26,825,000
Nonperformance Risk	52,000
Collateral Posted	$52,818,000
Nature of Collateral	Restricted cash, notes receivable, letters of credit
Credit Risk Contingent Feature	None

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed6

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
SIFMA rate	0.02%
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] | TROR [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of TRS	$366,985
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss on cash flow hedge ineffectiveness		3,666
Loss on cash flow hedges to be reclassified within next twelve months	24,148
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | TROR [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) from change in fair value of underlying TROR borrowings recognized in interest expense	($1,408)	($5,354)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	$5,099,700,000		$5,346,196,000
Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	4,196,000		5,604,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	-178,050,000	[1]	-183,038,000	[1]
Total fair value	-260,868,000		-271,434,000
Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	27,000		126,000
Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	-72,331,000		-75,281,000
Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | TROR [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	12,167,000		8,236,000
Derivative liabilities	-26,877,000		-27,081,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	0		0
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Total fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [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] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [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] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | TROR [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] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	0		0
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Total fair value	-2,289,000		-1,619,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Interest rate caps [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	27,000		126,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	-2,316,000		-1,745,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | TROR [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] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR	4,196,000		5,604,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	-178,050,000	[1]	-183,038,000	[1]
Total fair value	-258,579,000		-269,815,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [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] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	-70,015,000		-73,536,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | TROR [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interests on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	12,167,000		8,236,000
Derivative liabilities	($26,877,000)		($27,081,000)
[1]	Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at historical cost for period presented.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	($269,815,000)		($284,580,000)
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	4,988,000		3,093,000
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	2,727,000		-1,006,000
Included in other comprehensive income	3,521,000		5,515,000
Included in additional paid-in capital			-28,390,000
Balance, ending	-258,579,000		-305,368,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	-183,038,000	[1]	-171,743,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	4,988,000		3,093,000
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
Balance, ending	-178,050,000	[1]	-197,040,000	[1]
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	-73,536,000		-97,360,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	0		0
Included in other comprehensive income	3,521,000		5,515,000
Included in additional paid-in capital			0
Balance, ending	-70,015,000		-91,845,000
Net TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	-18,845,000		-24,346,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	4,135,000		4,348,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0		0
Included in additional paid-in capital			0
Balance, ending	-14,710,000		-19,998,000
Fair value adjustment to the borrowings subject to TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	5,604,000		8,869,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	-1,408,000		-5,354,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0		0
Included in additional paid-in capital			0
Balance, ending	4,196,000		3,515,000
TROR Related [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	-13,241,000		-15,477,000
Loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0		0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	2,727,000		-1,006,000
Included in other comprehensive income	0		0
Included in additional paid-in capital			0
Balance, ending	($10,514,000)		($16,483,000)
[1]	Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at historical cost for period presented.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail2

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	($258,579)	($269,815)	($305,368)	($284,580)
Fair value adjustment to borrowings subject to TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	4,196	5,604	3,515	8,869
Potential Future Exposure [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Credit valuation adjustment of interest rate swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	3,354
Credit Spread	4.00%
Bond Valuation [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	-14,710
Bond Valuation [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Fair value adjustment to borrowings subject to TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	$4,196
Bond Valuation [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Bond Valuation	$79.59
Bond Valuation [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Fair value adjustment to borrowings subject to TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Bond Valuation	$79.59
Bond Valuation [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Bond Valuation	$114.21
Bond Valuation [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Fair value measurement, recurring basis [Member] | Fair value adjustment to borrowings subject to TROR [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Bond Valuation	$114.21

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail3

Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (exclusive of fair value of derivatives), revolving credit facility and convertible senior debt [Abstract]
Carrying Value	$4,673,584,000	$4,938,201,000
Fair Value	5,099,700,000	5,346,196,000
Fixed Rate Debt [Member]
Fair value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (exclusive of fair value of derivatives), revolving credit facility and convertible senior debt [Abstract]
Carrying Value	2,664,795,000	2,993,591,000
Fair Value	3,105,674,000	3,421,373,000
Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Fair value of nonrecourse mortgage debt and notes payable (exclusive of fair value of derivatives), revolving credit facility and convertible senior debt [Abstract]
Carrying Value	2,008,789,000	1,944,610,000
Fair Value	$1,994,026,000	$1,924,823,000

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation costs	$6,917	$6,031
Less amount capitalized into qualifying real estate projects	-1,662	-2,065
Amount charged to operating expenses	5,255	3,966
Depreciation expense on capitalized stock-based compensation	226	258
Total stock-based compensation expense	5,481	4,224
Deferred income tax benefit	2,073	1,566
Stock option costs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation costs	653	1,456
Restricted stock costs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation costs	5,004	3,724
Performance share costs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation costs	$1,260	$851

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
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	$1,926	$1,358
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	25,302	5,483
Purchase of treasury stock, aggregate cost basis	588	100	4,009
Stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted	28,240
Grant-date fair value	$7.79
Stock options expected term	5 years 6 months
Stock options expected volatility	30.80%
Stock options risk-free interest rate	1.71%
Stock options expected dividend yield	0.00%
Exercise price of options	$24.62
Unrecognized compensation cost	2,373
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	27 months
Restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted	826,718
Grant-date fair value	$24.62
Unrecognized compensation cost	30,223
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	32 months
Performance shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted	627,385
Grant-date fair value	$32.14
Unrecognized compensation cost	$25,451
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized	31 months

WriteOff_of_Abandoned_Developm1

Write-Off of Abandoned Development Projects (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Write-off of Abandoned Development Projects [Abstract]
Write-offs of abandoned development projects	$0	$0

Impairment_of_Real_Estate_and_1

Impairment of Real Estate and Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Impairment of Real Estate Included in Continuing Operations [Line Items]
Impairment of Real Estate	$0	$0
Impairment of Unconsolidated Entities	$0	$0

Gain_Loss_on_Extinguishment_of

Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$35,154	$164

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards			$307,200
Income tax expense	815	3,931
Period after REIT Conversion Assets Sold Subject to Income Taxes	10 years
Charitable contribution deduction carryforward [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax carryforward			16,234
General business tax credit carryovers [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax carryforward			36,779
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax carryforward			$27,452

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
	sqft
Promenade Bolingbrook [Member]
Summary of rental properties included in discontinued operations
Area of Real Estate Property	771,000
Period disposed	Q2-2014 (1)	[1]
Period status	0		Yes
Quartermaster Plaza [Member]
Summary of rental properties included in discontinued operations
Area of Real Estate Property	456,000
Period disposed	Q1-2014
Period status	0		Yes
Mesa del Sol - 5600 University SE [Member]
Summary of rental properties included in discontinued operations
Area of Real Estate Property	87,000
Period disposed	Q1-2014
Period status	0		Yes
[1]	Classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2014.

Discontinued_Operations_Detail1

Discontinued Operations (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations
Revenues	$0	$6,995,000
Expenses
Operating expenses	0	4,775,000
Depreciation and amortization	0	987,000
Total expenses	0	5,762,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	26,824,000
Interest expense	0	-5,483,000
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	0	-41,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	-17,000
Earnings before income taxes	0	22,516,000
Income tax expense	0	10,644,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	0	11,872,000
Noncontrolling interest
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	58,000
Operating loss from rental properties	0	-8,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	50,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$0	$11,822,000

Discontinued_Operations_Detail2

Discontinued Operations (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	$0	$26,824,000
Quartermaster Plaza [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Rental Properties [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain on disposition of rental properties	0	26,373,000
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	$451,000

Discontinued_Operations_Detail3

Discontinued Operations (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	$0	$24,796,000
Westwood Reserve [Member]
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	8,904,000
Legacy Crossroads [Member]
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	6,216,000
Colonial Grand [Member]
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	4,904,000
Legacy Arboretum [Member]
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	0	3,257,000
Barrington Place [Member]
Gain Loss on Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities	$0	$1,515,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Numerators
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	($54,209,000)		$3,698,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0		-106,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders - Basic	-54,209,000		3,592,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0		106,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	-54,209,000		3,698,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-54,209,000		15,520,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0		-444,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders - Basic	-54,209,000		15,076,000
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0		444,000
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	($54,209,000)		$15,520,000
Denominators
Weighted average shares outstanding b Basic	202,963,083		197,739,076
Effect of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares	0		1,926,005
Effect of convertible debt	0		0
Effect of convertible Class A Common Units	0		3,646,755
Weighted average shares outstanding b Diluted	202,963,083	[1]	203,311,836	[1]
Earnings per share
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders b Basic	($0.27)		$0.02
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	($0.27)		$0.02
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders b Basic	($0.27)		$0.08
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders b Diluted	($0.27)		$0.08
[1]	Incremental shares from dilutive options, restricted stock, performance shares and convertible securities aggregating 33,828,488 for the three months ended MarchB 31,B 2015 were not included in the computation of EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive due to the loss from continuing operations. Weighted-average shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt of 32,138,215 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the if-converted method. Weighted-average options, restrictedB stock and performance shares of 2,444,380 and 3,195,616 for the three months ended MarchB 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were not included in the computation of dilutedB EPS because their effect is anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
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	33,828,488
Convertible debt [Member]
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share		32,138,215
Weighted-average options, restricted stock and performance shares [Member]
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	2,444,380	3,195,616

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial data of reportable segments
Total Assets	$8,795,391,000		$8,814,940,000
Revenues	237,082,000	249,537,000
Operating Expenses	160,643,000	171,103,000
Depreciation and amortization	61,814,000	55,009,000
Interest and other income	9,704,000	11,503,000
Interest expense	52,576,000	62,452,000
Capital expenditures	74,989,000	90,753,000
Commercial Group [Member]
Financial data of reportable segments
Total Assets	4,211,742,000		4,210,714,000
Revenues	128,545,000	130,085,000
Operating Expenses	73,090,000	81,548,000
Depreciation and amortization	32,851,000	30,259,000
Interest and other income	2,633,000	1,784,000
Interest expense	30,322,000	34,566,000
Capital expenditures	28,882,000	30,997,000
Residential Group [Member]
Financial data of reportable segments
Total Assets	3,298,255,000		3,172,188,000
Revenues	69,660,000	65,669,000
Operating Expenses	43,239,000	45,669,000
Depreciation and amortization	19,376,000	15,396,000
Interest and other income	2,996,000	6,445,000
Interest expense	4,465,000	9,185,000
Capital expenditures	43,440,000	53,803,000
Arena [Member]
Financial data of reportable segments
Total Assets	963,029,000		955,570,000
Revenues	28,820,000	35,357,000
Operating Expenses	19,958,000	23,476,000
Depreciation and amortization	8,790,000	8,532,000
Interest and other income	0	0
Interest expense	10,108,000	9,557,000
Capital expenditures	2,652,000	5,937,000
Land Development Group [Member]
Financial data of reportable segments
Total Assets	259,399,000		250,833,000
Revenues	10,057,000	18,426,000
Operating Expenses	4,641,000	8,849,000
Depreciation and amortization	89,000	86,000
Interest and other income	4,040,000	3,245,000
Interest expense	-465,000	-138,000
Capital expenditures	15,000	16,000
Corporate Activities [Member]
Financial data of reportable segments
Total Assets	62,966,000		225,635,000
Revenues	0	0
Operating Expenses	19,715,000	11,561,000
Depreciation and amortization	708,000	736,000
Interest and other income	35,000	29,000
Interest expense	8,146,000	9,282,000
Capital expenditures	$0	$0

Segment_Information_Details_1

Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	($54,209,000)	$15,520,000
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	61,814,000	55,009,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties		467,000
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		-24,796,000
Discontinued operations:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		-26,766,000
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		19,898,000
FFO	20,571,000	55,329,000
Real Estate Groups [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	74,780,000	70,020,000
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups		986,000
Commercial Group [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-67,000	12,330,000
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	32,851,000	30,259,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties		467,000
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		0
Discontinued operations:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		-26,766,000
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
FFO	45,617,000	29,726,000
Commercial Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	45,684,000	42,709,000
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups		986,000
Residential Group [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	5,637,000	32,167,000
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	19,376,000	15,396,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties		0
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		-24,796,000
Discontinued operations:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
FFO	29,637,000	29,708,000
Residential Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	24,000,000	22,337,000
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups		0
Arena [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-5,048,000	-3,292,000
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	8,790,000	8,532,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties		0
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		0
Discontinued operations:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
FFO	7,000	1,649,000
Arena [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	5,055,000	4,941,000
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups		0
Land Development Group [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	10,562,000	11,593,000
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	89,000	86,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties		0
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		0
Discontinued operations:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
FFO	10,603,000	11,626,000
Land Development Group [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	41,000	33,000
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups		0
Corporate Activities [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	-65,293,000	-37,278,000
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	708,000	736,000
Net loss on disposition of partial interests in rental properties		0
Gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		0
Discontinued operations:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		0
Income tax benefit (expense) on non-FFO:
Gain on disposition of rental properties		19,898,000
FFO	-65,293,000	-17,380,000
Corporate Activities [Member] | Real Estate Groups [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups	0	0
Discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization - Real Estate Groups		$0

Subsequent_Events_Details_Text

Subsequent Events (Details Textual) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Outstanding debt at closing		$4,202,440,000	$4,238,201,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | MIT Assets [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Equity ownership percentage acquired	49.00%
Number of life science office properties	7
Number of parking facilities	2
Redemption price	573,500,000
Percentage share of outstanding debt	49.00%
Outstanding debt at closing	174,000,000
Ownership percentage after closing	100.00%
Expected gain on change in control of interests upon closing	$400,000,000