Loans Receivable and Other Lending Investments, net (Schedule of Loans Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total gross carrying value of loans	$ 1,288,662,000		$ 1,605,386,000
Reserves for loan losses	(98,490,000)		(377,204,000)		(524,499,000)	(646,624,000)
Total loans receivable, net	1,190,172,000		1,228,182,000
Other lending investments—securities	187,671,000		141,927,000
Total loans receivable and other lending investments, net	1,377,843,000	[1]	1,370,109,000	[1]
Interest receivable	7,000,000		6,500,000
Carrying value of loans sold	30,800,000		95,100,000		53,900,000
Realized investment gains (losses)	19,100,000		(600,000)		6,400,000
Senior mortgages
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total gross carrying value of loans	737,535,000		1,071,662,000
Subordinate mortgages
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total gross carrying value of loans	53,331,000		60,679,000
Corporate/Partnership loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total gross carrying value of loans	$ 497,796,000		$ 473,045,000

[1] The Company's recorded investment in loans as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 also includes accrued interest of $7.0 million and $6.5 million, respectively, which are included in "Accrued interest and operating lease income receivable, net" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.