EastGroup Properties (EGP) 10-Q 24 Apr 19 2019 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 23, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EastGroup Properties Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0000049600
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,752,739
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - U

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - Unaudited		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)ft²	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)ft²
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Document Period End Date		Mar. 31, 2019
ASSETS
Real estate properties		$ 2,609,914,000	$ 2,553,481,000
Development and value-add properties	[1]	264,526,000	263,664,000
Real estate, development and value-add properties		2,874,440,000	2,817,145,000
Less accumulated depreciation		(832,925,000)	(814,915,000)
Real estate, net		2,041,515,000	2,002,230,000
Unconsolidated investment		7,879,000	7,870,000
Cash		1,831,000	374,000
Other Assets		120,421,000	121,231,000
TOTAL ASSETS		2,171,646,000	2,131,705,000
LIABILITIES
Unsecured bank credit facilities		131,189,000	193,926,000
Unsecured debt		803,397,000	723,400,000
Secured debt		185,606,000	188,461,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		83,364,000	86,563,000
Other liabilities		46,616,000	34,652,000
Total Liabilities		1,250,172,000	1,227,002,000
Stockholders' Equity:
Common shares; $.0001 par value; 70,000,000 shares authorized; 36,752,260 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and 36,501,356 at December 31, 2018		4,000	4,000
Excess shares; $.0001 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued		0	0
Additional paid-in capital		1,245,660,000	1,222,547,000
Distributions in excess of earnings		(330,184,000)	(326,193,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		4,388,000	6,701,000
Total Stockholders' Equity		919,868,000	903,059,000
Noncontrolling interest in joint ventures		1,606,000	1,644,000
Total Equity		921,474,000	904,703,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		$ 2,171,646,000	$ 2,131,705,000
2019 Operating Property Sales [Member] [Domain]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Square Footage of Real Estate Property | ft²		51,000
2018 Operating Property Sales [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Square Footage of Real Estate Property | ft²			339,000
[1]	Value-add properties are defined as properties that are either acquired but not stabilized or can be converted to a higher and better use. Acquired properties meeting either of the following two conditions are considered value-add properties: (1) Less than 75% occupied as of the acquisition date (or will be less than 75% occupied within one year of acquisition date based on near term lease roll), or (2) 20%

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -_2

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - Unaudited (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common shares, authorized	70,000,000	70,000,000
Common shares, issued	36,752,260	36,501,356
Common shares, outstanding	36,752,260	36,501,356
Excess shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Excess shares, authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Excess shares, issued	0	0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Unaudited - USD ($) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
REVENUES
Income from real estate operations	$ 78,637,000	$ 72,120,000
Other revenue	161,000	83,000
Revenues	78,798,000	72,203,000
EXPENSES
Expenses from real estate operations	22,302,000	20,676,000
Depreciation and amortization	23,746,000	21,685,000
General and administrative	3,844,000	3,463,000
Indirect leasing costs	93,000	0
Expenses	49,985,000	45,824,000
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense	(8,846,000)	(8,607,000)
Gains on Sales of Real Estate Investments	2,325,000	10,222,000
Other	242,000	754,000
Net Income	22,534,000	28,748,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint ventures	(5,000)	(35,000)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	22,529,000	28,713,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) - cash flow hedges	(2,313,000)	3,606,000
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$ 20,216,000	$ 32,319,000
BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.62	$ 0.83
Weighted average shares outstanding	36,465	34,689
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.62	$ 0.83
Weighted average shares outstanding	36,526	34,736
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 22,529,000	$ 28,713,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - Unaudited - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Distributions In Excess Of Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Noncontrolling Interest in Joint Ventures
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 751,130	$ 3	$ 1,061,153	$ (317,032)	$ 5,348	$ 1,658
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	28,748	0	0	28,713	0	35
Net unrealized change in fair value of cash flow hedges	3,606	0	0	0	3,606	0
Common dividends declared	(22,388)	0	0	(22,388)	0	0
Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	1,044	0	1,044	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock, common stock offering, net of expenses	14,602	0	14,602	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock, dividend reinvestment plan	54	0	54	0	0	0
Withheld shares of common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock	(2,055)	0	(2,055)	0	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(65)	0	0	0	0	(65)
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2018	774,676	3	1,074,798	(310,707)	8,954	1,628
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2018	904,703	4	1,222,547	(326,193)	6,701	1,644
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	22,534	0	0	22,529	0	5
Net unrealized change in fair value of cash flow hedges	(2,313)	0	0	0	(2,313)	0
Common dividends declared	(26,520)	0	0	(26,520)	0	0
Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	1,447	0	1,447	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock, common stock offering, net of expenses	24,400	0	24,400	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock, dividend reinvestment plan	54	0	54	0	0	0
Withheld shares of common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock	(2,788)	0	(2,788)	0	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(43)	0	0	0	0	(43)
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 921,474	$ 4	$ 1,245,660	$ (330,184)	$ 4,388	$ 1,606

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CH_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - Unaudited (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Common dividends declared - per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.64
Issuance of shares of common stock, common stock offering, net of expenses	232,205	179,501
Issuance of shares of common stock, dividend reinvestment plan	571	667
Withheld shares of common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock	28,955	23,824

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Unaudited - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$ 22,534	$ 28,748
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	23,746	21,685
Stock-based compensation expense	1,065	1,184
Net gain on sales of real estate investments and non-operating real estate	(2,325)	(10,308)
Gain on casualties and involuntary conversion	(100)	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued income and other assets	2,153	2,239
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and prepaid rent	(5,919)	(22,310)
Other	328	476
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	41,482	21,714
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Development and value-add properties	(42,846)	(31,212)
Real estate improvements	(5,610)	(5,158)
Net proceeds from sales of real estate investments and non-operating real estate	3,679	16,826
Repayments on mortgage loans receivable	3	1,958
Changes in accrued development costs	701	8,713
Changes in other assets and other liabilities	(4,857)	(2,344)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(48,930)	(11,217)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from unsecured bank credit facilities	144,635	91,387
Repayments on unsecured bank credit facilities	(207,497)	(85,634)
Proceeds from Unsecured Debt	80,000	0
Repayments on secured debt	(2,916)	(2,767)
Debt issuance costs	(153)	(88)
Distributions paid to stockholders (not including dividends accrued)	(26,787)	(22,736)
Proceeds from common stock offerings	24,400	14,466
Proceeds from dividend reinvestment plan	54	57
Other	(2,831)	(5,161)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	8,905	(10,476)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	1,457	21
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	374	16
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	1,831	37
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized of $2,036 and $1,602 for 2019 and 2018, respectively	6,646	7,141
Cash paid for operating lease liability	281	0
NON-CASH OPERATING ACTIVITY
Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right of use assets	$ 12,417	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CA_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Unaudited (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized	$ 2,036	$ 1,602

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited financial statements of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (“EastGroup” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In management’s opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements contained in the 2018

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EastGroup, its wholly owned subsidiaries and its investment in any joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling interest. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, EastGroup had an 80% controlling interest in University Business Center 120 and 130. The Company records 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the buildings held in joint ventures with the noncontrolling interests provided for in accordance with the joint venture agreements. The equity method of accounting is used for the Company’s 50%

USE OF ESTIMATES

USE OF ESTIMATES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	USE OF ESTIMATES

LEASE REVENUE LEASE REVENUE

LEASE REVENUE LEASE REVENUE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Lease Revenue [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Lease Income [Text Block]	LEASE REVENUE The Company’s primary revenue is rental income from business distribution space. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , and in subsequent periods, issued ASU 2018-10, 2018-11, and 2018-20, all of which relate to the new lease accounting guidance. The Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance effective January 1, 2019, and has applied its provisions on a prospective basis. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged under ASU 2016-02. The Company’s primary revenue is rental income; as such, the Company is a lessor on a significant number of leases. The Company is continuing to account for its leases in substantially the same manner. The most significant changes for the Company related to lessor accounting include: (i) the new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases, and (ii) the guidance applicable to recording uncollectible rents, as discussed in the following paragraphs. The new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases — The new definition of initial direct costs results in certain costs (primarily legal costs related to lease negotiations) being expensed rather than capitalized upon adoption of the new standard. EastGroup recorded Indirect leasing costs of $93,000 on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The guidance applicable to recording uncollectible rents — Upon adoption of the lease accounting guidance, reserves for uncollectible accounts are recorded as a reduction to revenue. Prior to adoption, reserves for uncollectible accounts were recorded as bad debt expenses. The standard also provides guidance related to calculating the reserves; however, those changes did not impact the Company. EastGroup has elected the practical expedient permitting lessors to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not separate non-lease components (such as common area maintenance) of a contract from the lease component to which they relate when specific criteria are met. The Company believes its leases meet the criteria. The Company has applied the provisions of the new lease accounting standard and provided the required disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The table below presents the components of Income from real estate operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Three Months Ended (In thousands) Lease income — operating leases $ 58,892 Variable lease income (1) 19,745 Income from real estate operations $ 78,637 (1) Primarily includes tenant reimbursements for real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance. Future Minimum Rental Receipts Under Non-Cancelable Leases The Company’s leases with its customers may include various provisions such as scheduled rent increases, renewal options and termination options. The majority of the Company’s leases include defined rent increases rather than variable payments based on an index or unknown rate. In calculating the disclosures presented below, the Company included the fixed, non-cancelable terms of the leases. The following schedule indicates approximate future minimum rental receipts under non-cancelable leases for real estate properties by year as of March 31, 2019 : Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 - Remainder of year $ 175,737 2020 208,760 2021 165,837 2022 124,182 2023 93,321 Thereafter 182,876 Total minimum receipts $ 950,713 As noted above, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance effective January 1, 2019. Since the Company has applied the provisions on a prospective basis, the following represents approximate future minimum rental receipts under non-cancelable leases for real estate properties by year as of December 31, 2018, as applicable under ASC 840, Leases, prior to the adoption of ASC 842. Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 $ 226,330 2020 195,850 2021 151,564 2022 112,007 2023 82,262 Thereafter 163,499 Total minimum receipts $ 931,512

REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES

REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Real Estate Investment Property, Net [Abstract]
Real Estate Properties	REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES EastGroup has one reportable segment – industrial properties. These properties are primarily located in major Sunbelt regions of the United States. The Company’s properties have similar economic characteristics and as a result, have been aggregated into one reportable segment. The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows (including estimated future expenditures necessary to substantially complete the asset) expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. During the periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 , the Company did not identify any impairment charges which should be recorded. Depreciation of buildings and other improvements is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of generally 40 years for buildings and 3 to 15 years for improvements. Building improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repair expenses are charged to expense as incurred. Significant renovations and improvements that improve or extend the useful life of the assets are capitalized. Depreciation expense was $19,747,000 and $17,927,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company’s Real estate properties and Development and value-add properties at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Real estate properties: Land $ 388,788 380,684 Buildings and building improvements 1,762,694 1,732,592 Tenant and other improvements 448,391 440,205 Right of use assets — Ground leases (operating) (1) 10,041 — Development and value-add properties (2) 264,526 263,664 2,874,440 2,817,145 Less accumulated depreciation (832,925 ) (814,915 ) $ 2,041,515 2,002,230 (1) See below and in Note 20 for information regarding the Company’s right of use assets for ground leases. (2) Value-add properties are defined as properties that are either acquired but not stabilized or can be converted to a higher and better use. Acquired properties meeting either of the following two conditions are considered value-add properties: (1) Less than 75% occupied as of the acquisition date (or will be less than 75% occupied within one year of acquisition date based on near term lease roll), or (2) 20% or greater of the acquisition cost will be spent to redevelop the property. Ground Leases On January 1, 2019 , EastGroup adopted the principles of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases , as further discussed in Note 20. In connection with the adoption, the Company recorded right of use assets for its ground leases, which are classified as operating leases, using the effective date transition option; under this option, prior years are not restated. As of January 1, 2019 , the Company recorded right of use assets for its ground leases of $10,226,000 . As of March 31, 2019 , the unamortized balance of the Company’s right of use assets for its ground leases was $10,041,000 . The right of use assets for ground leases are included in Real estate properties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company operated two properties in Florida, two properties in Texas and one property in Arizona that are subject to ground leases. These leases have terms of 40 to 50 years, expiration dates of August 2031 to November 2037, and renewal options of 15 to 35 years, except for the one lease in Arizona which is automatically and perpetually renewed annually. The Company has included renewal options in the lease terms for calculating the ground lease assets and liabilities as the Company is reasonably certain it will exercise these options. Total ground lease expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were $198,000 and $195,000 , respectively. Payments are subject to increases at 3 to 10 year intervals based upon the agreed or appraised fair market value of the leased premises on the adjustment date or the Consumer Price Index percentage increase since the base rent date. These future changes in payments will be considered variable payments and will not impact the assessment of the asset or liability unless there is a significant event that triggers reassessment, such as amendment with a change in the terms of the lease. The weighted-average remaining lease term as of March 31, 2019 , for the ground leases is 45 years. The following schedule indicates approximate future minimum ground lease payments for these properties by year as of March 31, 2019 : Future Minimum Ground Lease Payments Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 - Remainder of year $ 593 2020 791 2021 791 2022 791 2023 791 Thereafter 30,751 Total minimum payments 34,508 Imputed interest (1) (24,283 ) Amortization (184 ) Total ground leases $ 10,041 (1) As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, in order to calculate the present value of the remaining ground lease payments, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019 , adjusted for a number of factors, including the long-term nature of the ground leases, the Company’s estimated borrowing costs, and the estimated fair value of the underlying land. The Company elected to use the portfolio approach as all of its ground leases have similar characteristics and determined 7.3% as the appropriate rate as of January 1, 2019 . As noted above, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance effective January 1, 2019 . Since the Company has applied the provisions on a prospective basis, the following represents approximate future minimum ground lease payments by year as of December 31, 2018 , as applicable under ASC 840, Leases , prior to the adoption of ASC 842. Future Minimum Ground Lease Payments Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 $ 791 2020 791 2021 791 2022 791 2023 791 Thereafter 30,751 $ 34,706 At December 31, 2018 , the Company had the same ground leases in place as mentioned above and recorded ground lease expenditures of $783,000

DEVELOPMENT

DEVELOPMENT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
DEVELOPMENT [Abstract]
Development	DEVELOPMENT For properties under development and value-add properties acquired in the development stage, costs associated with development (i.e., land, construction costs, interest expense, property taxes and other costs associated with development) are aggregated into the total capitalized costs of the property. Included in these costs are management’s estimates for the portions of internal costs (primarily personnel costs) deemed related to such development activities. The internal costs are allocated to specific development projects based on development activity. As the property becomes occupied, depreciation commences on the occupied portion of the building, and costs are capitalized only for the portion of the building that remains vacant. The Company transfers properties from the development program to Real estate properties at the earlier of 90% occupancy or one year

REAL ESTATE PROPERTY ACQUISITIO

REAL ESTATE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Real Estate Property Acquisitions and Acquired Intangibles	REAL ESTATE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES Upon acquisition of real estate properties, EastGroup applies the principles of FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. The FASB Codification provides a framework for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the guidance, companies are required to utilize an initial screening test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set is not a business. EastGroup determined that its real estate property acquisitions in 2018 are considered to be acquisitions of groups of similar identifiable assets; therefore, the acquisitions are not considered to be acquisitions of a business. As a result, the Company capitalized acquisition costs related to its 2018 acquisitions. The Company did not acquire any properties during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The FASB Codification also provides guidance on how to properly determine the allocation of the purchase price among the individual components of both the tangible and intangible assets based on their respective fair values. Goodwill for business combinations is recorded when the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. Factors considered by management in allocating the cost of the properties acquired include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. The allocation to tangible assets (land, building and improvements) is based upon management’s determination of the value of the property as if it were vacant using discounted cash flow models. The Company determines whether any financing assumed is above or below market based upon comparison to similar financing terms for similar properties. The cost of the properties acquired may be adjusted based on indebtedness assumed from the seller that is determined to be above or below market rates. The purchase price is also allocated among the following categories of intangible assets: the above or below market component of in-place leases, the value of in-place leases, and the value of customer relationships. The value allocable to the above or below market component of an acquired in-place lease is determined based upon the present value (using a discount rate reflecting the risks associated with the acquired leases) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term, and (ii) management’s estimate of the amounts that would be paid using fair market rates over the remaining term of the lease. The amounts allocated to above and below market leases are included in Other assets and Other liabilities , respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized to rental income over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The total amount of intangible assets is further allocated to in-place lease values and customer relationship values based upon management’s assessment of their respective values. These intangible assets are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized over the remaining term of the existing lease, or the anticipated life of the customer relationship, as applicable. Amortization expense for in-place lease intangibles was $991,000 and $1,012,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Amortization of above and below market leases increased rental income by $192,000 and $118,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company did not acquire any operating properties during the three months ended March 31, 2019 . During the year ended December 31, 2018 , the Company acquired the following operating properties: Gwinnett 316 in Atlanta; Eucalyptus Distribution Center in Chino (Los Angeles); Allen Station I & II in Dallas; and Greenhill Distribution Center in Austin. The Company also acquired one value-add property, Siempre Viva Distribution Center in San Diego. At the time of acquisition, Siempre Viva was classified in the lease-up phase. The total cost for the properties acquired by the Company was $71,086,000 , of which $54,537,000 was allocated to Real estate properties and $13,934,000 was allocated to Development and value-add properties . EastGroup allocated $23,263,000 of the total purchase price to land using third party land valuations for the Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, San Diego and Chino (Los Angeles) markets. The market values are considered to be Level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (see Note 17 for additional information on ASC 820). Intangibles associated with the purchase of real estate were allocated as follows: $4,350,000 to in-place lease intangibles and $21,000 to above market leases (both included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets) and $1,756,000 to below market leases (included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets). These costs are amortized over the remaining lives of the associated leases in place at the time of acquisition. The Company periodically reviews the recoverability of goodwill (at least annually) and the recoverability of other intangibles (on a quarterly basis) for possible impairment. No impairment of goodwill or other intangibles existed during the periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018

REAL ESTATE SOLD AND HELD FOR S

REAL ESTATE SOLD AND HELD FOR SALE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Real Estate Sold and Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations	REAL ESTATE SOLD AND HELD FOR SALE/DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS The Company considers a real estate property to be held for sale when it meets the criteria established under ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, including when it is probable that the property will be sold within a year. Real estate properties held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell and are not depreciated while they are held for sale. The Company did not classify any properties as held for sale as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. In accordance with FASB ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, the Company would report a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when the component or group of components meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale or when the component or group of components is disposed of by sale or other than by sale. In addition, the Company would provide additional disclosures about both discontinued operations and the disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements. EastGroup performs an analysis of properties sold to determine whether the sales qualify for discontinued operations presentation. The Company does not consider its sales in 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2019 to be disposals of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , EastGroup sold World Houston 5. The 51,000 square foot property was sold for $3.8 million and the Company recognized a gain on the sale of $2.3 million . During the year 2018, EastGroup sold three operating properties: World Houston 18 in Houston; 56 Commerce Park in Tampa; and 35th Avenue Distribution Center in Phoenix. The properties contain a combined 339,000 square feet and were sold for $22.9 million . EastGroup recognized gains on the sales of $14.3 million . The Company also sold 11 acres of land in Houston for $2.6 million and recognized a gain of $86,000 in the first quarter of 2018. The results of operations and gains on sales for the properties sold during the periods presented are reported in continuing operations on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The gains on the sales of operating properties are included in Gain on sales of real estate investments, and the gains on the sales of land are included in Other

OTHER ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Other Assets [Abstract]
Other Assets	OTHER ASSETS A summary of the Company’s Other assets follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Leasing costs (principally commissions) $ 81,051 78,985 Accumulated amortization of leasing costs (31,534 ) (30,185 ) Leasing costs (principally commissions), net of accumulated amortization 49,517 48,800 Acquired in-place lease intangibles 21,425 21,696 Accumulated amortization of acquired in-place lease intangibles (10,553 ) (9,833 ) Acquired in-place lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 10,872 11,863 Acquired above market lease intangibles 1,454 1,465 Accumulated amortization of acquired above market lease intangibles (941 ) (902 ) Acquired above market lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 513 563 Straight-line rents receivable 36,725 36,022 Accounts receivable 3,959 5,433 Mortgage loans receivable 2,591 2,594 Interest rate swap assets 4,497 6,701 Right of use assets — Office leases (operating) (1) 2,376 — Goodwill 990 990 Prepaid expenses and other assets 8,381 8,265 Total Other assets $ 120,421 121,231 (1)

DEBT

DEBT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT The Company’s debt is detailed below. EastGroup presents debt issuance costs as reductions of Unsecured bank credit facilities, Unsecured debt and Secured debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate, carrying amount $ 132,868 195,730 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,679 ) (1,804 ) Unsecured bank credit facilities 131,189 193,926 Unsecured debt - fixed rate, carrying amount (1) 805,000 725,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,603 ) (1,600 ) Unsecured debt 803,397 723,400 Secured debt - fixed rate, carrying amount (1) 186,116 189,038 Unamortized debt issuance costs (510 ) (577 ) Secured debt 185,606 188,461 Total debt $ 1,120,192 1,105,787 (1) These loans have a fixed interest rate or an effectively fixed interest rate due to interest rate swaps. Until June 14, 2018 , EastGroup had $300 million and $35 million unsecured bank credit facilities with margins over LIBOR of 100 basis points, facility fees of 20 basis points and maturity dates of July 30, 2019 . The Company amended and restated these credit facilities on June 14, 2018 , expanding the capacity to $350 million and $45 million , as detailed below. The $350 million unsecured bank credit facility is with a group of nine banks and has a maturity date of July 30, 2022 . The credit facility contains options for two six-month extensions (at the Company’s election) and a $150 million accordion (with agreement by all parties). The interest rate on each tranche is usually reset on a monthly basis and as of March 31, 2019 , was LIBOR plus 100 basis points with an annual facility fee of 20 basis points. The margin and facility fee are subject to changes in the Company’s credit ratings. The Company had designated an interest rate swap to an $80 million unsecured bank credit facility draw that effectively fixed the interest rate on the $80 million draw to 2.020% through the interest rate swap’s maturity date. This swap matured on August 15, 2018 , and the $80 million draw has reverted to the variable interest rate associated with the Company’s unsecured bank credit facilities. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company had $130,000,000 of variable rate borrowings on this unsecured bank credit facility with a weighted average interest rate of 3.491% . The Company has three standby letters of credit totaling $704,740 pledged on this facility. The Company’s $45 million unsecured bank credit facility has a maturity date of July 30, 2022 , or such later date as designated by the bank; the Company also has two six-month extensions available if the extension options in the $350 million facility are exercised. The interest rate is reset on a daily basis and as of March 31, 2019 , was LIBOR plus 100 basis points with an annual facility fee of 20 basis points. The margin and facility fee are subject to changes in the Company’s credit ratings. As of March 31, 2019 , the interest rate was 3.495% on a balance of $2,868,000 . In March 2019, the Company closed $80 million of senior unsecured private placement notes with an insurance company. The notes have a 10 -year term and a fixed interest rate of 4.27% with semi-annual interest payments. The notes will not be and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt, including Unsecured debt and Secured debt (not including Unsecured bank credit facilities ), as of March 31, 2019 , are as follows: Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) Remainder of 2019 $ 127,647 2020 114,096 2021 129,562 2022 107,769 2023 115,119 2024 and beyond 396,923 Total $ 991,116

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EX

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES A summary of the Company’s Accounts payable and accrued expenses follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Property taxes payable $ 12,173 10,718 Development costs payable 16,111 15,410 Real estate improvements and capitalized leasing costs payable 5,658 3,911 Interest payable 5,931 4,067 Dividends payable 27,471 27,738 Book overdraft (1) 10,602 15,048 Other payables and accrued expenses 5,418 9,671 Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 83,364 86,563 (1)

OTHER LIABILITIES

OTHER LIABILITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	OTHER LIABILITIES A summary of the Company’s Other liabilities follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Security deposits $ 19,103 18,432 Prepaid rent and other deferred income 11,951 12,728 Operating lease liabilities — Ground leases (1) 10,041 — Operating lease liabilities — Office leases (1) 2,376 — Acquired below-market lease intangibles 5,891 5,891 Accumulated amortization of below-market lease intangibles (3,270 ) (3,028 ) Acquired below-market lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 2,621 2,863 Interest rate swap liabilities 109 — Prepaid tenant improvement reimbursements 400 614 Other liabilities 15 15 Total Other liabilities $ 46,616 34,652 (1)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Total Comprehensive Income is comprised of net income plus all other changes in equity from non-owner sources and is presented on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are presented in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and are summarized below. See Note 14 for information regarding the Company’s interest rate swaps. Three Months Ended 2019 2018 (In thousands) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: Balance at beginning of period $ 6,701 5,348 Change in fair value of interest rate swaps - cash flow hedges (2,313 ) 3,606 Balance at end of period $ 4,388 8,954

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDG

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risk, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its debt funding and, to a limited extent, the use of derivative instruments. Specifically, the Company has entered into derivative instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative instruments, described below, are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash payments principally related to certain of the Company’s borrowings. The Company’s objective in using interest rate derivatives is to change variable interest rates to fixed interest rates by using interest rate swaps. 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. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company had six interest rate swaps outstanding, all of which are used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with unsecured loans. All of the Company’s interest rate swaps convert the related loans’ LIBOR rate components to effectively fixed interest rates, and the Company has concluded that each of the hedging relationships is highly effective. The changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges is recorded in Other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings through interest expense as interest payments are made in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives will be reclassified to Interest expense as interest payments are made or received on the Company’s variable-rate debt. The Company estimates the swap interest receipts will be $1,981,000 over the next twelve months. These receipts approximate the expected cash interest receipts due from counterparties for the swaps. Since the interest payments and receipts on the swaps in combination with the associated debt have been effectively fixed, this estimate is not in addition to the Company’s total expected combined interest payments or expense for the next twelve months. The Company’s valuation methodology for over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives is to discount cash flows based on Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) rates. Uncollateralized or partially-collateralized trades are discounted at OIS rates, but include appropriate economic adjustments for funding costs (i.e., a LIBOR-OIS basis adjustment to approximate uncollateralized cost of funds) and credit risk. The Company calculates its derivative valuations using mid-market prices. In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to USD-LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to USD-LIBOR. ARRC has proposed a paced market transition plan to SOFR from USD-LIBOR and organizations are currently working on industry wide and company specific transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to USD-LIBOR. The Company has material contracts that are indexed to USD-LIBOR and is monitoring this activity and evaluating the related risks. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the Company had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk: Interest Rate Derivative Notional Amount as of March 31, 2019 Notional Amount as of December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Interest Rate Swap $75,000 $75,000 Interest Rate Swap $75,000 $75,000 Interest Rate Swap $65,000 $65,000 Interest Rate Swap $60,000 $60,000 Interest Rate Swap $40,000 $40,000 Interest Rate Swap $15,000 $15,000 The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . See Note 17 for additional information on the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps. Derivatives As of March 31, 2019 Derivatives As of December 31, 2018 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value (In thousands) Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Interest rate swap assets Other assets $ 4,497 Other assets $ 6,701 Interest rate swap liabilities Other liabilities 109 Other liabilities — The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 (In thousands) DERIVATIVES IN CASH FLOW HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS Interest Rate Swaps: Amount of income (loss) recognized in Other comprehensive income on derivatives $ (1,644 ) 3,662 Amount of (income) loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income into Interest expense (669 ) (56 ) See Note 13 for additional information on the Company’s Accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from its interest rate swaps. Derivative financial agreements expose the Company to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties under the terms of the interest rate hedge agreements. The Company believes it minimizes the credit risk by transacting with financial institutions the Company regards as credit-worthy. The Company has an agreement with its derivative counterparties containing a provision stating that the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender. As of March 31, 2019 , the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position related to these agreements was $109,000

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE The Company applies ASC 260, Earnings Per Share , which requires companies to present basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Basic EPS represents the amount of earnings for the period attributable to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. The Company’s basic EPS is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to EastGroup Properties, Inc. Common Stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding does not include any potentially dilutive securities or any unvested restricted shares of common stock. These unvested restricted shares, although classified as issued and outstanding, are considered forfeitable until the restrictions lapse and will not be included in the basic EPS calculation until the shares are vested. Diluted EPS represents the amount of earnings for the period attributable to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period and to each share that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares for all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The Company calculates diluted EPS by dividing Net Income Attributable to EastGroup Properties, Inc. Common Stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock. The dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock is determined using the treasury stock method. Reconciliation of the numerators and denominators in the basic and diluted EPS computations is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders $ 22,529 28,713 Denominator – weighted average shares outstanding 36,465 34,689 DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders $ 22,529 28,713 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding 36,465 34,689 Unvested restricted stock 61 47 Total Shares 36,526 34,736

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EastGroup applies the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, to account for its stock-based compensation plans. ASC 718 requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements and that the cost be measured on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Stock-based compensation cost for employees was $1,444,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , of which $381,000 was capitalized as part of the Company’s development costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, stock-based compensation cost for employees was $1,043,000 , of which $214,000 was capitalized as part of the Company’s development costs. Stock-based compensation expense for directors was $ 2,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , and $355,000 for the same period of 2018. In the second quarter of 2017, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”) approved a long-term equity compensation plan for certain of its executive officers that included three components based on total shareholder return and one component based only on continued service as of the vesting dates. The three long-term equity compensation plan components based on total shareholder return are subject to bright-line tests that compare the Company’s total shareholder return to the Nareit Equity Index and to the member companies of the Nareit industrial index. The first plan measured the bright-line tests over the one-year period ended December 31, 2017; these shares were awarded during the first quarter of 2018. The second plan measured the bright-line tests over the two-year period ended December 31, 2018. During the first quarter of 2019, the Committee measured the Company’s performance for the two -year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of May 10, 2017. The number of shares determined on the measurement date was 9,460 . These shares vested 100% on February 14, 2019, the date the earned shares were determined. On the grant date of May 10, 2017, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award. The third plan will measure the bright-line tests over the three -year period ending December 31, 2019. During the first quarter of 2020, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for the three-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of May 10, 2017. The number of shares to be earned on the measurement date could range from zero to 18,917 . These shares would vest 75% on the date the earned shares are determined in the first quarter of 2020 and 25% on January 1, 2021. On the grant date of May 10, 2017, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award. The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based only on continued service as of the vesting dates was awarded on May 10, 2017. On that date, 5,406 shares were granted to certain executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $78.18 per share, vested 25% in the first quarter of each of 2018 and 2019 and will vest 25% on January 1 in years 2020 and 2021. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. In the second quarter of 2018, the Committee approved an equity compensation plan for the Company’s executive officers based upon certain annual performance measures for 2018, including funds from operations (“FFO”) per share, same property net operating income change, general and administrative costs, and fixed charge coverage. On February 14, 2019, the Committee measured the Company’s performance for 2018 against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of June 1, 2018 and determined that 24,690 shares were earned. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $95.19 , vested 20% on the date shares were determined and will vest 20% per year on January 1 in years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. On the grant date of June 1, 2018, the Company began recognizing expense for its estimate of the shares that may be earned pursuant to these awards; the shares are being expensed using the graded vesting attribution method which recognizes each separate vesting portion of the award as a separate award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Also in the second quarter of 2018, the Committee approved an equity compensation plan for EastGroup’s executive officers based upon the achievement of individual goals for each of the officers included in the plan. On February 14, 2019, the Committee evaluated the performance of the officers and, in its discretion, awarded 5,671 shares with a grant date fair value of $107.37 . These shares vested 20% on the date shares were determined and awarded and will vest 20% per year on January 1 in years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Company began recognizing the expense for the shares awarded on the grant date of February 14, 2019, and the shares will be expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. Also in the second quarter of 2018, the Committee approved a long-term equity compensation plan for the Company’s executive officers that includes one component based on total shareholder return and one component based only on continued service as of the vesting dates. The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based on total shareholder return is subject to bright-line tests that will compare the Company’s total shareholder return to the Nareit Equity Index and to the member companies of the Nareit industrial index. The plan will measure the bright-line tests over the three -year period ending December 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for the three-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of June 1, 2018. The number of shares to be earned on the measurement date could range from zero to 27,596 . These shares would vest 75% on the date the earned shares are determined in the first quarter of 2021 and 25% on January 1, 2022. On the grant date of June 1, 2018, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award. The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based only on continued service as of the vesting dates was awarded on June 1, 2018. On that date, 7,884 shares were granted to the Company’s executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $95.19 , vested 25% in the first quarter of 2019 and will vest 25% on January 1 in years 2020, 2021 and 2022. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. In the first quarter of 2019, the Committee approved an equity compensation plan (the “2019 Annual Plan”) for the Company’s executive officers based upon certain annual performance measures for 2019; the plan is comprised of three components. The first component of the 2019 Annual Plan is based upon the following Company performance measures for 2019: (i) same property net operating income change, (ii) debt-to EBITDAre ratio, and (iii) fixed charge coverage. During the first quarter of 2020, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for 2019 against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of March 7, 2019. The number of shares that may be earned for the achievement of the annual performance measures could range from zero to 9,594 . These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $105.97 , would vest 20% on the date shares are determined and 20% per year on each January 1 for the subsequent four years. On the grant date of March 7, 2019, the Company began recognizing expense for its estimate of the shares that may be earned pursuant to these awards; the shares are being expensed using the graded vesting attribution method which recognizes each separate vesting portion of the award as a separate award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The second component of the 2019 Annual Plan is based upon the Company’s FFO per share for 2019. Any shares issued pursuant to the FFO per share goals in this compensation plan will be determined by the Committee in its discretion, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2020. The number of shares to be issued on the grant date for the achievement of the performance goals could range from zero to 15,988 . These shares would vest 20% on the date shares are determined and awarded and 20% per year on each January 1 for the subsequent four years. The Company will begin recognizing the expense for any shares awarded on the grant date, which is expected to be in the first quarter of 2020, and the shares will be expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. The third component of the 2019 Annual Plan is based upon the achievement of individual goals for each of the officers included in the plan. Any shares issued pursuant to the individual goals in this compensation plan will be determined by the Committee in its discretion and issued in the first quarter of 2020. The number of shares to be issued on the grant date for the achievement of individual goals could range from zero to 6,394 . These shares would vest 20% on the date shares are determined and awarded and 20% per year on each January 1 for the subsequent four years. The Company will begin recognizing the expense for any shares awarded on the grant date in the first quarter of 2020, and the shares will be expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. Also in the first quarter of 2019, the Committee approved a long-term equity compensation plan for the Company’s executive officers that includes one component based on total shareholder return and one component based only on continued service as of the vesting dates. The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based on total shareholder return is subject to bright-line tests that will compare the Company’s total shareholder return to the Nareit Equity Index and to the member companies of the Nareit industrial index. The plan will measure the bright-line tests over the three -year period ending December 31, 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, the Committee will measure the Company’s performance for the three-year period against bright-line tests established by the Committee on the grant date of March 7, 2019. The number of shares to be earned on the measurement date could range from zero to 34,812 . These shares would vest 75% on the date the earned shares are determined in the first quarter of 2022 and 25% on January 1, 2023. On the grant date of March 7, 2019, the Company began recognizing expense for this plan based on the grant date fair value of the awards which was determined using a simulation pricing model developed to specifically accommodate the unique features of the award. The component of the long-term equity compensation plan based only on continued service as of the vesting dates was awarded on March 7, 2019. On that date, 9,947 shares were granted to the Company’s executive officers subject only to continued service as of the vesting dates. These shares, which have a grant date fair value of $105.97 , will vest 25% in the first quarter of 2020 and 25% on January 1 in years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The shares are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining service period. Following is a summary of the total restricted shares granted, forfeited and delivered (vested) to participants with the related weighted average grant date fair value share prices. Of the shares that vested in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , the Company withheld 28,955 shares to satisfy the tax obligations for those participants who elected this option as permitted under the applicable equity plan. As of the vesting dates, the aggregate fair value of shares that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2019 , was $6,662,000 . Three Months Ended Award Activity: March 31, 2019 Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested at beginning of period 143,525 $ 70.29 Granted (1) (2) 49,768 91.03 Forfeited (2,685 ) 83.05 Vested (69,363 ) 66.99 Unvested at end of period 121,245 $ 80.41 (1) Includes shares granted in prior years for which performance conditions have been satisfied and the number of shares have been determined. (2) Does not include the restricted shares that may be earned if the performance goals established in 2017 and 2018 for long-term performance and in 2019 for annual and long-term performance are achieved. Depending on the actual level of achievement of the goals at the end of the open performance periods, the number of shares earned could range from zero to 113,301

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 also provides guidance for using fair value to measure financial assets and liabilities. The Codification requires disclosure of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, including measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active (Level 2), and significant valuation assumptions that are not readily observable in the market (Level 3). The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value (In thousands) Financial Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,831 1,831 374 374 Mortgage loans receivable 2,591 2,587 2,594 2,571 Interest rate swap assets 4,497 4,497 6,701 6,701 Financial Liabilities: Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate (2) 132,868 133,272 195,730 196,423 Unsecured debt (2) 805,000 810,450 725,000 718,364 Secured debt (2) 186,116 188,463 189,038 191,742 Interest rate swap liabilities 109 109 — — (1) Carrying amounts shown in the table are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the indicated captions, except as explained in the notes below. (2) Carrying amounts and fair values shown in the table exclude debt issuance costs (see Note 10 for additional information). The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments: Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. Mortgage loans receivable (included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets): The fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities (Level 2 input). Interest rate swap assets (included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets): The instruments are recorded at fair value based on models using inputs, such as interest rate yield curves, LIBOR swap curves and OIS curves, observable for substantially the full term of the contract (Level 2 input). See Note 14 for additional information on the Company’s interest rate swaps. Unsecured bank credit facilities: The fair value of the Company’s unsecured bank credit facilities is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at current market rates (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Unsecured debt: The fair value of the Company’s unsecured debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Secured debt: The fair value of the Company’s secured debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Interest rate swap liabilities (included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets):

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Risks and Uncertainties	RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

LEGAL MATTERS Legal Matters (No

LEGAL MATTERS Legal Matters (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
LEGAL MATTERS [Abstract]
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	LEGAL MATTERS The Company is not presently involved in any material litigation nor, to its knowledge, is any material litigation threatened against the Company or its properties, other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. An action is pending against the Company and certain of the Company’s officers relating to the Company’s November 2016 purchase of a land parcel, alleging breach of contract and other claims in law and in equity. The Company has asserted numerous affirmative defenses and believes the lawsuit lacks merit. While discovery is ongoing, as are efforts to reach a mediated resolution of the dispute, in an effort to resolve this litigation, the Company made a settlement offer for $497,000

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Accounting Changes [Text Block]	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS EastGroup has evaluated all ASUs recently released by the FASB through the date the financial statements were issued and determined that the following ASUs apply to the Company. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and in subsequent periods, issued ASU 2018-10, 2018-11, and 2018-20, all of which relate to the new lease accounting guidance . The Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance effective January 1, 2019, and has applied its provisions on a prospective basis. The following changes are applicable to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations: • Lessees are required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right of use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The Company is a lessee on a limited number of leases, including office and ground leases. As of January 1, 2019, the Company recorded its right of use asset and lease liability values for its operating leases as follows: office leases of $2,376,000 and ground leases of $10,226,000 . The combined values are less than 1% of the Company’s Total assets as of March 31, 2019. • Lessor accounting is largely unchanged under ASU 2016-02. The Company’s primary revenue is rental income; as such, the Company is a lessor on a significant number of leases. The Company is continuing to account for its leases in substantially the same manner. The most significant changes for the Company related to lessor accounting include: ◦ The new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases — The new definition of initial direct costs results in certain costs (primarily legal costs related to lease negotiations) being expensed rather than capitalized upon adoption of the new standard. EastGroup recorded Indirect leasing costs of $93,000 on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income during the three months ended March 31, 2019. ◦ The guidance applicable to recording uncollectible rents — Upon adoption of the lease accounting guidance, reserves for uncollectible accounts are recorded as a reduction to revenue. Prior to adoption, reserves for uncollectible accounts were recorded as bad debt expenses. The standard also provides guidance related to calculating the reserves; however, those changes did not impact the Company. • EastGroup has elected the practical expedient permitting lessors and lessees to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not separate non-lease components (such as common area maintenance) of a contract from the lease component to which they relate when specific criteria are met. The Company believes its leases meet the criteria. The Company has applied the provisions of the new lease accounting standard and provided the required disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The ASU is intended to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. The transition method is a modified retrospective approach that requires companies to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU as an adjustment to Accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year the entity adopts the ASU. The primary provision in the ASU that will require an adjustment to beginning retained earnings is the change in timing and income statement presentation for ineffectiveness related to cash flow and net investment hedges. As a result of the transition guidance in the ASU, cumulative ineffectiveness that has previously been recognized on cash flow and net investment hedges that are still outstanding and designated as of the date of adoption will be adjusted and removed from beginning retained earnings and placed in Accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2019; the adoption of ASU 2017-12 did not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures. In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The ASU applies to all entities that elect to apply hedge accounting to benchmark interest rates under Topic 815 and permits the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a United States (U.S.) benchmark rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815 in addition to the interest rates on direct Treasury obligations of the U.S. government, the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) swap rate, the OIS rate based on the Fed Funds Effective Rate, and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) Municipal Swap Rate. ASU 2018-16 was effective upon adoption of ASU 2017-12. The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 and ASU 2018-16 on January 1, 2019, and the adoption of both ASUs did not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operation or disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 , Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and subsequently issued ASU 2018-19 , Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses in November 2018. The ASUs amend guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, Topic 326 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. For available for sale debt securities (EastGroup does not currently hold any and does not intend to hold any in the future), credit losses should be measured in a similar manner to current GAAP; however, Topic 326 will require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down. The ASUs affect entities holding financial assets and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, an interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 on January 1, 2020. EastGroup does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Notes)

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On April 5, 2019 , EastGroup repaid a mortgage loan with a balance of $46.0 million , an interest rate of 7.5% and an original maturity date of May 5, 2019 . Subsequent to quarter-end, EastGroup closed the acquisition of Logistics Center 6 & 7, which contains a total of 142,000 square feet of multi-tenant distribution space in two buildings in Dallas. The buildings, which are located in a master-planned park on DFW International Airport-owned property with a 40 -year ground lease, were developed in 2018 and are currently 19% leased. The value-add property was acquired for $13 million , and the Company estimates its total investment in the property, including improvements during the lease-up phase, will be approximately $15 million . The Company has exercised an option to re-purchase Interstate Commons Distribution Center in the southwest submarket of Phoenix for $9.2 million . Through eminent domain procedures, the Company previously sold the property to the Arizona Department of Transportation in 2016 . The two multi-tenant distribution buildings, which are located adjacent to existing EastGroup assets, contain 142,000 square feet and will be re-developed by the Company with a projected total investment of $12 million . The value-add acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of 2019 . EastGroup is under contract to acquire, with a joint venture partner, 7 acres of land in the central submarket of San Diego for $13 million ; the Company will be a 95% partner in the venture. The Company expects the land acquisition to close during the second quarter of 2019 . The land is currently leased to a company that operates a parking lot on the site. In the future, EastGroup and its joint venture partner plan to develop a distribution building containing approximately 125,000

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EastGroup, its wholly owned subsidiaries and its investment in any joint ventures in which the Company has a controlling interest. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, EastGroup had an 80% controlling interest in University Business Center 120 and 130. The Company records 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the buildings held in joint ventures with the noncontrolling interests provided for in accordance with the joint venture agreements. The equity method of accounting is used for the Company’s 50%
Use of Estimates	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses during the reporting period and to disclose material contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Discontinued Operations	The Company considers a real estate property to be held for sale when it meets the criteria established under ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, including when it is probable that the property will be sold within a year. Real estate properties held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell and are not depreciated while they are held for sale. The Company did not classify any properties as held for sale as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. In accordance with FASB ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, the Company would report a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results when the component or group of components meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale or when the component or group of components is disposed of by sale or other than by sale. In addition, the Company would provide additional disclosures about both discontinued operations and the disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements. EastGroup performs an analysis of properties sold to determine whether the sales qualify for discontinued operations presentation. The Company does not consider its sales in 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2019 to be disposals of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results.
Real Estate Property Acquisitions and Acquired Intangibles [Policy Text Block]	Upon acquisition of real estate properties, EastGroup applies the principles of FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. The FASB Codification provides a framework for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the guidance, companies are required to utilize an initial screening test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set is not a business. EastGroup determined that its real estate property acquisitions in 2018 are considered to be acquisitions of groups of similar identifiable assets; therefore, the acquisitions are not considered to be acquisitions of a business. As a result, the Company capitalized acquisition costs related to its 2018 acquisitions. The Company did not acquire any properties during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The FASB Codification also provides guidance on how to properly determine the allocation of the purchase price among the individual components of both the tangible and intangible assets based on their respective fair values. Goodwill for business combinations is recorded when the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. Factors considered by management in allocating the cost of the properties acquired include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. The allocation to tangible assets (land, building and improvements) is based upon management’s determination of the value of the property as if it were vacant using discounted cash flow models. The Company determines whether any financing assumed is above or below market based upon comparison to similar financing terms for similar properties. The cost of the properties acquired may be adjusted based on indebtedness assumed from the seller that is determined to be above or below market rates. The purchase price is also allocated among the following categories of intangible assets: the above or below market component of in-place leases, the value of in-place leases, and the value of customer relationships. The value allocable to the above or below market component of an acquired in-place lease is determined based upon the present value (using a discount rate reflecting the risks associated with the acquired leases) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term, and (ii) management’s estimate of the amounts that would be paid using fair market rates over the remaining term of the lease. The amounts allocated to above and below market leases are included in Other assets and Other liabilities , respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized to rental income over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The total amount of intangible assets is further allocated to in-place lease values and customer relationship values based upon management’s assessment of their respective values. These intangible assets are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized over the remaining term of the existing lease, or the anticipated life of the customer relationship, as applicable.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company applies ASC 260, Earnings Per Share , which requires companies to present basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Basic EPS represents the amount of earnings for the period attributable to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. The Company’s basic EPS is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to EastGroup Properties, Inc. Common Stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding does not include any potentially dilutive securities or any unvested restricted shares of common stock. These unvested restricted shares, although classified as issued and outstanding, are considered forfeitable until the restrictions lapse and will not be included in the basic EPS calculation until the shares are vested. Diluted EPS represents the amount of earnings for the period attributable to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period and to each share that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares for all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The Company calculates diluted EPS by dividing Net Income Attributable to EastGroup Properties, Inc. Common Stockholders
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	EastGroup applies the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation,
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement,

LEASE REVENUE (Policies)

LEASE REVENUE (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition Leases, Operating [Policy Text Block]	In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , and in subsequent periods, issued ASU 2018-10, 2018-11, and 2018-20, all of which relate to the new lease accounting guidance. The Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance effective January 1, 2019, and has applied its provisions on a prospective basis. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged under ASU 2016-02. The Company’s primary revenue is rental income; as such, the Company is a lessor on a significant number of leases. The Company is continuing to account for its leases in substantially the same manner. The most significant changes for the Company related to lessor accounting include: (i) the new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases, and (ii) the guidance applicable to recording uncollectible rents, as discussed in the following paragraphs. The new standard’s narrow definition of initial direct costs for leases — The new definition of initial direct costs results in certain costs (primarily legal costs related to lease negotiations) being expensed rather than capitalized upon adoption of the new standard. EastGroup recorded Indirect leasing costs of $93,000 on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The guidance applicable to recording uncollectible rents — Upon adoption of the lease accounting guidance, reserves for uncollectible accounts are recorded as a reduction to revenue. Prior to adoption, reserves for uncollectible accounts were recorded as bad debt expenses. The standard also provides guidance related to calculating the reserves; however, those changes did not impact the Company. EastGroup has elected the practical expedient permitting lessors to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not separate non-lease components (such as common area maintenance) of a contract from the lease component to which they relate when specific criteria are met. The Company believes its leases meet the criteria.

LEASE REVENUE LEASE REVENUE (Ta

LEASE REVENUE LEASE REVENUE (Tables)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lease Revenue [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block]	The table below presents the components of Income from real estate operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Three Months Ended (In thousands) Lease income — operating leases $ 58,892 Variable lease income (1) 19,745 Income from real estate operations $ 78,637 (1) Primarily includes tenant reimbursements for real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance.
Future Minimum Rental Receipts Under Non-cancelable Leases [Table Text Block]	The following schedule indicates approximate future minimum rental receipts under non-cancelable leases for real estate properties by year as of March 31, 2019 : Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 - Remainder of year $ 175,737 2020 208,760 2021 165,837 2022 124,182 2023 93,321 Thereafter 182,876 Total minimum receipts $ 950,713	Since the Company has applied the provisions on a prospective basis, the following represents approximate future minimum rental receipts under non-cancelable leases for real estate properties by year as of December 31, 2018, as applicable under ASC 840, Leases, prior to the adoption of ASC 842. Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 $ 226,330 2020 195,850 2021 151,564 2022 112,007 2023 82,262 Thereafter 163,499 Total minimum receipts $ 931,512

REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES (Tables)

REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Ground lease payments [Line Items]
Ground lease payments [Table Text Block]	The following schedule indicates approximate future minimum ground lease payments for these properties by year as of March 31, 2019 : Future Minimum Ground Lease Payments Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 - Remainder of year $ 593 2020 791 2021 791 2022 791 2023 791 Thereafter 30,751 Total minimum payments 34,508 Imputed interest (1) (24,283 ) Amortization (184 ) Total ground leases $ 10,041 (1) As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, in order to calculate the present value of the remaining ground lease payments, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019 , adjusted for a number of factors, including the long-term nature of the ground leases, the Company’s estimated borrowing costs, and the estimated fair value of the underlying land. The Company elected to use the portfolio approach as all of its ground leases have similar characteristics and determined 7.3% as the appropriate rate as of January 1, 2019	Since the Company has applied the provisions on a prospective basis, the following represents approximate future minimum ground lease payments by year as of December 31, 2018 , as applicable under ASC 840, Leases , prior to the adoption of ASC 842. Future Minimum Ground Lease Payments Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) 2019 $ 791 2020 791 2021 791 2022 791 2023 791 Thereafter 30,751 $ 34,706
Schedule of Real Estate Properties	The Company’s Real estate properties and Development and value-add properties at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Real estate properties: Land $ 388,788 380,684 Buildings and building improvements 1,762,694 1,732,592 Tenant and other improvements 448,391 440,205 Right of use assets — Ground leases (operating) (1) 10,041 — Development and value-add properties (2) 264,526 263,664 2,874,440 2,817,145 Less accumulated depreciation (832,925 ) (814,915 ) $ 2,041,515 2,002,230 (1) See below and in Note 20 for information regarding the Company’s right of use assets for ground leases. (2) Value-add properties are defined as properties that are either acquired but not stabilized or can be converted to a higher and better use. Acquired properties meeting either of the following two conditions are considered value-add properties: (1) Less than 75% occupied as of the acquisition date (or will be less than 75% occupied within one year of acquisition date based on near term lease roll), or (2) 20%

OTHER ASSETS (Tables)

OTHER ASSETS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Other Assets [Abstract]
Other Assets	A summary of the Company’s Other assets follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Leasing costs (principally commissions) $ 81,051 78,985 Accumulated amortization of leasing costs (31,534 ) (30,185 ) Leasing costs (principally commissions), net of accumulated amortization 49,517 48,800 Acquired in-place lease intangibles 21,425 21,696 Accumulated amortization of acquired in-place lease intangibles (10,553 ) (9,833 ) Acquired in-place lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 10,872 11,863 Acquired above market lease intangibles 1,454 1,465 Accumulated amortization of acquired above market lease intangibles (941 ) (902 ) Acquired above market lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 513 563 Straight-line rents receivable 36,725 36,022 Accounts receivable 3,959 5,433 Mortgage loans receivable 2,591 2,594 Interest rate swap assets 4,497 6,701 Right of use assets — Office leases (operating) (1) 2,376 — Goodwill 990 990 Prepaid expenses and other assets 8,381 8,265 Total Other assets $ 120,421 121,231 (1)

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Scheduled principal payments on long-term debt, including Unsecured debt and Secured debt (not including Unsecured bank credit facilities ), as of March 31, 2019 , are as follows: Years Ending December 31, (In thousands) Remainder of 2019 $ 127,647 2020 114,096 2021 129,562 2022 107,769 2023 115,119 2024 and beyond 396,923 Total $ 991,116
Long term debt, by type [Table Text Block]	The Company’s debt is detailed below. EastGroup presents debt issuance costs as reductions of Unsecured bank credit facilities, Unsecured debt and Secured debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate, carrying amount $ 132,868 195,730 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,679 ) (1,804 ) Unsecured bank credit facilities 131,189 193,926 Unsecured debt - fixed rate, carrying amount (1) 805,000 725,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,603 ) (1,600 ) Unsecured debt 803,397 723,400 Secured debt - fixed rate, carrying amount (1) 186,116 189,038 Unamortized debt issuance costs (510 ) (577 ) Secured debt 185,606 188,461 Total debt $ 1,120,192 1,105,787 (1) These loans have a fixed interest rate or an effectively fixed interest rate due to interest rate swaps.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED _2

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Summary of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	A summary of the Company’s Accounts payable and accrued expenses follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Property taxes payable $ 12,173 10,718 Development costs payable 16,111 15,410 Real estate improvements and capitalized leasing costs payable 5,658 3,911 Interest payable 5,931 4,067 Dividends payable 27,471 27,738 Book overdraft (1) 10,602 15,048 Other payables and accrued expenses 5,418 9,671 Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 83,364 86,563 (1)

OTHER LIABILITIES (Tables)

OTHER LIABILITIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of other liabilities	A summary of the Company’s Other liabilities follows: March 31, December 31, (In thousands) Security deposits $ 19,103 18,432 Prepaid rent and other deferred income 11,951 12,728 Operating lease liabilities — Ground leases (1) 10,041 — Operating lease liabilities — Office leases (1) 2,376 — Acquired below-market lease intangibles 5,891 5,891 Accumulated amortization of below-market lease intangibles (3,270 ) (3,028 ) Acquired below-market lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 2,621 2,863 Interest rate swap liabilities 109 — Prepaid tenant improvement reimbursements 400 614 Other liabilities 15 15 Total Other liabilities $ 46,616 34,652 (1)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are presented in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and are summarized below. See Note 14 for information regarding the Company’s interest rate swaps. Three Months Ended 2019 2018 (In thousands) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: Balance at beginning of period $ 6,701 5,348 Change in fair value of interest rate swaps - cash flow hedges (2,313 ) 3,606 Balance at end of period $ 4,388 8,954

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HE_2

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the Company had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk: Interest Rate Derivative Notional Amount as of March 31, 2019 Notional Amount as of December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Interest Rate Swap $75,000 $75,000 Interest Rate Swap $75,000 $75,000 Interest Rate Swap $65,000 $65,000 Interest Rate Swap $60,000 $60,000 Interest Rate Swap $40,000 $40,000 Interest Rate Swap $15,000 $15,000
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . See Note 17 for additional information on the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps. Derivatives As of March 31, 2019 Derivatives As of December 31, 2018 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value (In thousands) Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Interest rate swap assets Other assets $ 4,497 Other assets $ 6,701 Interest rate swap liabilities Other liabilities 109 Other liabilities —
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]	The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 (In thousands) DERIVATIVES IN CASH FLOW HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS Interest Rate Swaps: Amount of income (loss) recognized in Other comprehensive income on derivatives $ (1,644 ) 3,662 Amount of (income) loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income into Interest expense (669 ) (56 )

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Reconciliation of the numerators and denominators in the basic and diluted EPS computations is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders $ 22,529 28,713 Denominator – weighted average shares outstanding 36,465 34,689 DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders $ 22,529 28,713 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding 36,465 34,689 Unvested restricted stock 61 47 Total Shares 36,526 34,736

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of total shares granted, forfeited and delivered	Following is a summary of the total restricted shares granted, forfeited and delivered (vested) to participants with the related weighted average grant date fair value share prices. Of the shares that vested in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , the Company withheld 28,955 shares to satisfy the tax obligations for those participants who elected this option as permitted under the applicable equity plan. As of the vesting dates, the aggregate fair value of shares that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2019 , was $6,662,000 . Three Months Ended Award Activity: March 31, 2019 Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested at beginning of period 143,525 $ 70.29 Granted (1) (2) 49,768 91.03 Forfeited (2,685 ) 83.05 Vested (69,363 ) 66.99 Unvested at end of period 121,245 $ 80.41 (1) Includes shares granted in prior years for which performance conditions have been satisfied and the number of shares have been determined. (2) Does not include the restricted shares that may be earned if the performance goals established in 2017 and 2018 for long-term performance and in 2019 for annual and long-term performance are achieved. Depending on the actual level of achievement of the goals at the end of the open performance periods, the number of shares earned could range from zero to 113,301

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_2

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying amounts and fair value of financial instruments	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value (In thousands) Financial Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,831 1,831 374 374 Mortgage loans receivable 2,591 2,587 2,594 2,571 Interest rate swap assets 4,497 4,497 6,701 6,701 Financial Liabilities: Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate (2) 132,868 133,272 195,730 196,423 Unsecured debt (2) 805,000 810,450 725,000 718,364 Secured debt (2) 186,116 188,463 189,038 191,742 Interest rate swap liabilities 109 109 — — (1) Carrying amounts shown in the table are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the indicated captions, except as explained in the notes below. (2) Carrying amounts and fair values shown in the table exclude debt issuance costs (see Note 10 for additional information). The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments: Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. Mortgage loans receivable (included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets): The fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities (Level 2 input). Interest rate swap assets (included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets): The instruments are recorded at fair value based on models using inputs, such as interest rate yield curves, LIBOR swap curves and OIS curves, observable for substantially the full term of the contract (Level 2 input). See Note 14 for additional information on the Company’s interest rate swaps. Unsecured bank credit facilities: The fair value of the Company’s unsecured bank credit facilities is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at current market rates (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Unsecured debt: The fair value of the Company’s unsecured debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Secured debt: The fair value of the Company’s secured debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Interest rate swap liabilities (included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets):

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION (De

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
University Business Center 120 and 130 [Member]
Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership interest	80.00%	80.00%
Joint ventures' assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses with noncontrolling interests	100.00%	100.00%
Industry Distribution Center II - undivided tenant [Member]
Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Tenant-in-common interest	50.00%	50.00%

LEASE REVENUE LEASE REVENUE (De

LEASE REVENUE LEASE REVENUE (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Lease Revenue [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Lease Income, Lease Payments	$ 58,892,000
Operating Lease, Variable Lease Income	19,745,000
Lease Income	78,637,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Current	175,737,000		$ 226,330,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Two Years	208,760,000		195,850,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Three Years	165,837,000		151,564,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Four Years	124,182,000		112,007,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Five Years	93,321,000		82,262,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Thereafter	182,876,000		163,499,000
Total minimum receipts	950,713,000		$ 931,512,000
Indirect leasing costs	$ 93,000	$ 0

REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES (Details

REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES (Details)		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2019USD ($)
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Percentage of occupancy to qualify as value-add property		75.00%
Percentage of acquisition price to be spent on capital items to qualify as value-add property		20.00%
Amortization expense for lease intangibles		$ 991,000	$ 1,012,000
Depreciation Expense During the Period		19,747,000	17,927,000
Real Estate Properties
Land		388,788,000		$ 380,684,000
Building and building improvements		1,762,694,000		1,732,592,000
Tenant and other improvements		448,391,000		440,205,000
Right of use assets - Ground leases (operating)	[1]	10,041,000		0
Development and value-add properties	[2]	264,526,000		263,664,000
Real estate, development and value-add properties		2,874,440,000		2,817,145,000
Less accumulated depreciation		(832,925,000)		(814,915,000)
Real estate, net		2,041,515,000		2,002,230,000
Rental Income Increase Decrease For Amortization Of Acquired In Place Lease Intangibles		(192,000)	(118,000)
Gain on casualties and involuntary conversion		$ 100,000	0
Ground Leases Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average term for ground leases		45 years
Leases terms minimum		40 years
Leases terms maximum		50 years
Renewal period option minimum		15 years
Renewal period option maximum		35 years
Payment increase interval minimum		3 years
Payment increase interval maximum		10 years
Incremental borrowing rate used in determining the present value of lease payments					7.30%
Total ground lease expenditures for continuing and discontinued operations		$ 198,000	$ 195,000	783,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months		593,000		791,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years		791,000		791,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years		791,000		791,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years		791,000		791,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years		791,000		791,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter		30,751,000		30,751,000
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, total		34,508,000		34,706,000
imputed interest related to right of use assets for ground leases	[3]	(24,283,000)
Amortization, ground leases		(184,000)
Ground Leases, Net		$ 10,041,000
Building [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		40 years
Minimum [Member] | Improvements [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		3 years
Maximum [Member] | Improvements [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		15 years
2018 Acquisitions [Member]
Real Estate Properties
Total cost of properties purchased				71,086,000
Amount of total cost allocated to land				23,263,000
Above Market Leases [Member] | 2018 Acquisitions [Member]
Real Estate Properties
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles				21,000
Below market lease [Member] | 2018 Acquisitions [Member]
Real Estate Properties
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles				1,756,000
Industrial Development [Member] | 2018 Acquisitions [Member]
Real Estate Properties
Amount of total cost allocated to real estate properties				$ 13,934,000
FLORIDA
Ground Leases Disclosures [Abstract]
Properties subject to ground leases		2
TEXAS
Ground Leases Disclosures [Abstract]
Properties subject to ground leases		2
ARIZONA
Ground Leases Disclosures [Abstract]
Properties subject to ground leases		1
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Real Estate Properties
Right of use assets - Ground leases (operating)					$ 10,226,000
[1]	See below and in Note 20 for information regarding the Company’s right of use assets for ground leases.
[2]	Value-add properties are defined as properties that are either acquired but not stabilized or can be converted to a higher and better use. Acquired properties meeting either of the following two conditions are considered value-add properties: (1) Less than 75% occupied as of the acquisition date (or will be less than 75% occupied within one year of acquisition date based on near term lease roll), or (2) 20%
[3]	As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, in order to calculate the present value of the remaining ground lease payments, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019 , adjusted for a number of factors, including the long-term nature of the ground leases, the Company’s estimated borrowing costs, and the estimated fair value of the underlying land. The Company elected to use the portfolio approach as all of its ground leases have similar characteristics and determined 7.3% as the appropriate rate as of January 1, 2019

DEVELOPMENT (Details)

DEVELOPMENT (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
DEVELOPMENT [Abstract]
Percentage of Property Occupation by Tenants when Development Cost Ceased Being Capitalized	90.00%
Length of Time After Project Completion When Development Cost are no Longer Capitalized	1 year

REAL ESTATE PROPERTY ACQUISIT_2

REAL ESTATE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Property Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization expense for lease intangibles	$ 991,000	$ 1,012,000
Above and below market leases Increase (decrease) rental Income	$ 192,000	$ 118,000
2018 Acquisitions [Member]
Property Acquisition [Line Items]
Total cost of properties purchased			$ 71,086,000
Amount of total cost allocated to land			23,263,000
2018 Acquisitions [Member] | Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Property Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible acquired associated with purchase of Real Estate			4,350,000
2018 Acquisitions [Member] | Above Market Leases [Member]
Property Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible acquired associated with purchase of Real Estate			21,000
2018 Acquisitions [Member] | Below market lease [Member]
Property Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible acquired associated with purchase of Real Estate			1,756,000
Real Estate Properties [Domain] | 2018 Acquisitions [Member]
Property Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount of total cost allocated to real estate properties			54,537,000
Industrial Development [Member] | 2018 Acquisitions [Member]
Property Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount of total cost allocated to real estate properties			$ 13,934,000

REAL ESTATE SOLD AND HELD FOR_2

REAL ESTATE SOLD AND HELD FOR SALE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)ft²	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)a	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)ft²Integer
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate	$ 2,325,000	$ 10,222,000
Number of real estate properties transferred to held for sale and sold | Integer			3
2019 Operating Property Sales [Member] [Domain]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Square Footage of Real Estate Property | ft²	51,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties	$ 2,300,000
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 3,800,000
2018 Operating Property Sales [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Square Footage of Real Estate Property | ft²			339,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties			$ 14,300,000
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment			$ 22,900,000
Land [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
SIze (in acres) of land sold | a		11
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment		$ 2,600,000
Gain on sales of land		$ 86,000

OTHER ASSETS (Details)

OTHER ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Assets Components [Abstract]
Leasing costs (principally commissions)		$ 81,051	$ 78,985
Accumulated amortization of leasing costs		(31,534)	(30,185)
Leasing costs (principally commissions), net of accumulated amortization		49,517	48,800
Acquired in-place lease intangibles		21,425	21,696
Accumulated amortization of acquired in-place lease intangibles		(10,553)	(9,833)
Acquired in-place lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization		10,872	11,863
Acquired above market lease intangibles		1,454	1,465
Accumulated amortization of acquired above market lease intangibles		(941)	(902)
Acquired above market lease intangibles, net of accumulated amortization		513	563
Straight-line rents receivable		36,725	36,022
Accounts receivable		3,959	5,433
Mortgage loans receivable		2,591	2,594
Interest rate swap assets		4,497	6,701
Right of use assets - Office Leases	[1]	2,376	0
Goodwill		990	990
Prepaid expenses and other assets		8,381	8,265
Total Other Assets		$ 120,421	$ 121,231
[1]	See Note 20 for information regarding the Company’s January 1, 2019, implementation of FASB ASC 842, Leases, and the Company’s right of use assets for office leases.

DEBT (Details)

DEBT (Details)		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)Integer	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Secured and Unsecured Debt [Line Items]
Proceeds from unsecured bank credit facilities		$ 144,635,000	$ 91,387,000
Repayments of Bank Debt		$ 207,497,000	$ 85,634,000
Document Period End Date		Mar. 31, 2019
Loans Payable, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Secured Debt		$ 185,606,000		$ 188,461,000
Unsecured Debt		803,397,000		723,400,000
Unsecured bank credit facilities		131,189,000		193,926,000
Total debt		1,120,192,000		1,105,787,000
Secured and unsecured debt [Member]
Payments of principal over future years [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019		127,647,000
2020		114,096,000
2021		129,562,000
2022		107,769,000
2023		115,119,000
2024 and beyond		396,923,000
Long-term debt, maturities, secured debt and unsecured debt		991,116,000
Unsecured bank credit facilities
Loans Payable, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate, carrying amount		132,868,000		195,730,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs		(1,679,000)		(1,804,000)
Unsecured bank credit facilities		131,189,000		193,926,000
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Loans Payable, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Unsecured debt, carrying amount	[1]	805,000,000		725,000,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs		(1,603,000)		(1,600,000)
Unsecured Debt		803,397,000		723,400,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Loans Payable, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Secured debt, carrying amount	[1]	186,116,000		189,038,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs		(510,000)		(577,000)
Secured Debt		$ 185,606,000		188,461,000
$80 million senior unsecured private placement notes (2019) [Member]
Secured and Unsecured Debt [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term		10 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		4.27%
Loans Payable, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Unsecured debt, carrying amount		$ 80,000,000
Nine bank group unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] | Former facility - $300 million [Member]
Secured and Unsecured Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, basis spread above LIBOR variable rate				100
Line of credit, facility fee (in basis points)				20
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description				Jul. 30, 2019
Nine bank group unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] | Bank credit facility obtained in 2018 - $350 million [Member]
Secured and Unsecured Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		3.491%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		$ 704,740
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 350,000,000
Number of banks included in the unsecured revolving credit facility | Integer		9
Debt instrument, basis spread above LIBOR variable rate		100
Line of credit, facility fee (in basis points)		20
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		Jul. 30, 2022
Extension option on credit facility		two six-month extensions
Expansion option on credit facility		$ 150,000,000
Loans Payable, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate, carrying amount		$ 130,000,000
Nine bank group unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] | $80 million interest rate swap [Member]
Secured and Unsecured Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End				2.02%
Unsecured bank credit facilities - fixed rate, carrying amount				$ 80,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description				Aug. 15, 2018
Pnc Na Unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] | Former credit facility - $35 million [Member]
Secured and Unsecured Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				$ 35,000,000
Debt instrument, basis spread above LIBOR variable rate		100
Line of credit, facility fee (in basis points)		20
Pnc Na Unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] | Credit facility obtained in 2018 - $45 million [Member]
Secured and Unsecured Debt [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		3.495%
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 45,000,000
Debt instrument, basis spread above LIBOR variable rate		100
Line of credit, facility fee (in basis points)		20
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		Jul. 30, 2022
Extension option on credit facility		two six-month extensions
Loans Payable, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate, carrying amount		$ 2,868,000
[1]	These loans have a fixed interest rate or an effectively fixed interest rate due to interest rate swaps.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED _3

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Property taxes payable		$ 12,173	$ 10,718
Development costs payable		16,111	15,410
Real estate improvements and capitalized leasing costs payable		5,658	3,911
Interest payable		5,931	4,067
Dividends payable		27,471	27,738
Book Overdraft	[1]	10,602	15,048
Other payables and accrued expenses		5,418	9,671
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$ 83,364	$ 86,563
[1]	Represents checks written before the end of the period which have not cleared the bank; therefore, the bank has not yet advanced cash to the Company. When the checks clear the bank, they will be funded through the Company’s working cash line of credit.

OTHER LIABILITIES (Details)

OTHER LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Liabilities, Unclassified [Abstract]
Security deposits		$ 19,103	$ 18,432
Prepaid rent and other deferred income		11,951	12,728
Operating lease liabilities - ground leases	[1]	10,041	0
Operating lease liabilities - office leases	[1]	2,376	0
Acquired Below Market Lease Intangibles		5,891	5,891
Accumulated Amortization of Acquired Below Market Lease Intangibles		(3,270)	(3,028)
Acquired Below Market Lease Intangibles, Net of Accumulated Amortization		2,621	2,863
Interest rate swap liabilities		109	0
Prepaid tenant improvement reimbursements		400	614
Other liabilities		15	15
Other Liabilities		$ 46,616	$ 34,652
[1]	See Note 20 for information regarding the Company’s January 1, 2019, implementation of FASB ASC 842, Leases, and the Company’s right of use assets and related liabilities for ground leases and office leases.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Balance at Beginning of Period, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	$ 6,701	$ 5,348
Net unrealized change in fair value of interest rate swaps - cash flow hedges	(2,313)	3,606
Balance at End of Period, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	$ 4,388	$ 8,954

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HE_3

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)Integer	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swaps | Integer	6
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Assets at Fair Value	$ 4,497,000		$ 6,701,000
Interest rate cash flow hedge liabilities at fair value	109,000		0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Income (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives	(1,644,000)	$ 3,662,000
Amount of (income) loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense	(669,000)	$ (56,000)
Cash flow hedge amount to be reclassified to Interest Expense in next 12 months [Line Items]	1,981,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Assets at Fair Value	4,497,000		6,701,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate cash flow hedge liabilities at fair value	109,000		0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | $75 million interest rate swap executed in 2014 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	75,000,000		75,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | $75 million interest rate swap executed in 2015 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	75,000,000		75,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | $65 million interest rate swap executed in 2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	65,000,000		65,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | $60 million interest rate swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	60,000,000		60,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | $40 million interest rate swap (2016) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	40,000,000		40,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | $15 million interest rate swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives	$ 15,000,000		$ 15,000,000

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 22,529	$ 28,713
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	36,465	34,689
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 22,529	$ 28,713
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	36,465	34,689
Unvested restricted stock	61	47
Total Shares	36,526	34,736

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)Integer$ / sharesshares	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | $		$ (1,447,000)	$ (1,044,000)
Document Period End Date		Mar. 31, 2019
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (minimum)		0
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (maximum)		113,301
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Shareholder Return Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2018 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Equity Instruments other than options, number of plans | Integer		1
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Shareholder Return Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2017 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Equity Instruments other than options, number of plans | Integer		3
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Shareholder Return Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2019 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Equity Instruments other than options, number of plans | Integer		1
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Individual performance awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2019 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of future vesting that will occur on performance determination date or future grant date		20.00%
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (minimum)		0
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (maximum)		6,394
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Rights (% vesting per year in future years)		20.00%
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Service Condition Only Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2018 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 95.19
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)		7,884
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Granted (per share) | $ / shares		$ 95.19
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of vesting that occurred on grant date		25.00%
Equity Instruments other than options, number of plans | Integer		1
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Rights (% vesting per year in future years)		25.00%
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Service Condition Only Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2017 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 78.18
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)		5,406
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Granted (per share) | $ / shares		$ 78.18
Equity Instruments other than options, number of plans | Integer		1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		25.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Rights (% vesting per year in future years)		25.00%
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Service Condition Only Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2019 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 105.97
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)		9,947
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Granted (per share) | $ / shares		$ 105.97
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of future vesting that will occur on performance determination date or future grant date		25.00%
Equity Instruments other than options, number of plans | Integer		1
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Rights (% vesting per year in future years)		25.00%
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Annual equity plan [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2019 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Equity Instruments other than options, number of plans | Integer		3
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Company Performance Awards - Part A [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2019 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 105.97
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Granted (per share) | $ / shares		$ 105.97
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of future vesting that will occur on performance determination date or future grant date		20.00%
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (minimum)		0
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (maximum)		9,594
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Rights (% vesting per year in future years)		20.00%
Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Company Performance Awards - Part B [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2019 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of future vesting that will occur on performance determination date or future grant date		20.00%
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (minimum)		0
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (maximum)		15,988
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Rights (% vesting per year in future years)		20.00%
Award Recipient Type Employee [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation costs capitalized as development costs | $		$ 381,000	214,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | $		$ 1,444,000	1,043,000
Shares withheld for tax obligations		28,955
Fair value of shares vested as of the vesting date | $		$ 6,662,000
Award Recipient Type Employee [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Company Performance Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2018 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 95.19
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)		24,690
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Granted (per share) | $ / shares		$ 95.19
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of vesting that occurred on grant date		20.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vesting Rights (% vesting per year in future years)		20.00%
Award Recipient Type Employee [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Individual performance awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2018 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 107.37
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)		5,671
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Granted (per share) | $ / shares		$ 107.37
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of vesting that occurred on grant date		20.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		20.00%
Award Recipient Type Employees and Directors [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	[1],[2]	$ 91.03
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Unvested at beginning of period (in shares)		143,525
Granted (in shares)	[1],[2]	49,768
Forfeited (in shares)		(2,685)
Vested (in shares)		(69,363)
Unvested at end of period (in shares)		121,245
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Unvested at beginning of period (per share) | $ / shares		$ 70.29
Granted (per share) | $ / shares	[1],[2]	91.03
Forfeited (per share) | $ / shares		83.05
Vested (per share) | $ / shares		66.99
Unvested at end of period (per share) | $ / shares		$ 80.41
Award Recipient Type Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | $		$ 2,000	$ 355,000
Two year period [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Shareholder Return Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2017 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)		9,460
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of vesting that occurred on grant date		100.00%
Number of years in total shareholder return performance period | Integer		2
Three year period [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Shareholder Return Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2018 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of future vesting that will occur on performance determination date or future grant date		75.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Possible Shares To Be Awarded Vesting Rights		25.00%
Number of years in total shareholder return performance period | Integer		3
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (minimum)		0
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (maximum)		27,596
Three year period [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Shareholder Return Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2017 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of future vesting that will occur on performance determination date or future grant date		75.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Possible Shares To Be Awarded Vesting Rights		25.00%
Number of years in total shareholder return performance period | Integer		3
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (minimum)		0
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (maximum)		18,917
Three year period [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2013 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Shareholder Return Awards [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | 2019 Awards [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Percent of future vesting that will occur on performance determination date or future grant date		75.00%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Possible Shares To Be Awarded Vesting Rights		25.00%
Number of years in total shareholder return performance period | Integer		3
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (minimum)		0
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Potential Grants in Future Period (maximum)		34,812
[1]	Does not include the restricted shares that may be earned if the performance goals established in 2017 and 2018 for long-term performance and in 2019 for annual and long-term performance are achieved. Depending on the actual level of achievement of the goals at the end of the open performance periods, the number of shares earned could range from zero to 113,301
[2]	Includes shares granted in prior years for which performance conditions have been satisfied and the number of shares have been determined.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_3

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		$ 1,831	$ 374	$ 37	$ 16
Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure		1,831	374
Mortgage loans receivable		2,587	2,571
Interest rate swap assets		4,497	6,701
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate	[1]	133,272	196,423
Unsecured debt Fair Value Disclosure	[1]	810,450	718,364
Secured debt	[1]	188,463	191,742
Interest rate swap liabilities		109	0
Carrying Amount [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	[2]	1,831	374
Mortgage loans receivable	[2]	2,591	2,594
Interest rate swap assets	[2]	4,497	6,701
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Unsecured bank credit facilities - variable rate	[1],[2]	132,868	195,730
Unsecured debt Fair Value Disclosure	[1],[2]	805,000	725,000
Secured debt	[1],[2]	186,116	189,038
Interest rate swap liabilities	[2]	$ 109	$ 0
[1]	Carrying amounts and fair values shown in the table exclude debt issuance costs (see Note 10 for additional information).
[2]	Carrying amounts shown in the table are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the indicated captions, except as explained in the notes below. (2) Carrying amounts and fair values shown in the table exclude debt issuance costs (see Note 10 for additional information). The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments: Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. Mortgage loans receivable (included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets): The fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities (Level 2 input). Interest rate swap assets (included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets): The instruments are recorded at fair value based on models using inputs, such as interest rate yield curves, LIBOR swap curves and OIS curves, observable for substantially the full term of the contract (Level 2 input). See Note 14 for additional information on the Company’s interest rate swaps. Unsecured bank credit facilities: The fair value of the Company’s unsecured bank credit facilities is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at current market rates (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Unsecured debt: The fair value of the Company’s unsecured debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Secured debt: The fair value of the Company’s secured debt is estimated by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company’s bankers (Level 2 input), excluding the effects of debt issuance costs. Interest rate swap liabilities (included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets):

LEGAL MATTERS (Details)

LEGAL MATTERS (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
LEGAL MATTERS [Abstract]
Loss Contingency Accrual	$ 497,000

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEME_2

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right of use assets - Office Leases	[1]	$ 2,376,000			$ 0
Right of use assets - Ground leases (operating)	[2]	10,041,000			$ 0
Indirect leasing costs		$ 93,000	$ 0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right of use assets - Office Leases				$ 2,376,000
Right of use assets - Ground leases (operating)				$ 10,226,000
Right of us asset and lease liability for ground leases and office leases, estimated percentage of Total assets		less than 1%
[1]	See Note 20 for information regarding the Company’s January 1, 2019, implementation of FASB ASC 842, Leases, and the Company’s right of use assets for office leases.
[2]	See below and in Note 20 for information regarding the Company’s right of use assets for ground leases.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 23, 2019USD ($)ft²aproperties	Apr. 05, 2019USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Secured debt, carrying amount		$ 46
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		7.50%
Mort Loan Maturity Date	May 5, 2019
Interstate Commons Distribution Center I and II [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Size (in square feet) of buildings acquired | ft²	142,000
Number of buildings	2
Real estate property acquistion, purchase price	$ 9.2
Estimated Total Cumulative Development Costs	$ 12
Logistics Center 6 & 7 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Size (in square feet) of buildings acquired | ft²	142,000
Number of buildings | properties	2
Ground lease term	40 years
Building Lease Percentage	19.00%
Real estate property acquistion, purchase price	$ 13
Estimated Total Cumulative Development Costs	$ 15
Development land [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Size (in acres) of land acquired | a	7
Real estate property acquistion, purchase price	$ 13
Size (in square feet) of buildings to be developed | ft²	125,000
Ownership percentage	95.00%