MORTGAGES, NOTES AND LOANS PAYABLE (Details 2)-K (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 02, 2013	Oct. 24, 2013 item	Aug. 08, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Apr. 15, 2014	Mar. 15, 2013	Sep. 13, 2013 item sqft	Sep. 11, 2013	Jul. 18, 2014	Feb. 08, 2013	Jul. 15, 2014	Dec. 05, 2014	Oct. 03, 2014	Dec. 20, 2013 sqft item	Nov. 25, 2013	Nov. 06, 2014	Aug. 06, 2014 room	Jun. 30, 2012	Nov. 10, 2014	May 31, 2012	May 10, 2011	Dec. 05, 2011	Apr. 26, 2012	Aug. 02, 2013 item sqft
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Unamortized underwriting fees	$ (7,689,000)	$ (8,750,000)
Total mortgages, notes and loans payable	1,993,470,000	1,514,623,000
Outstanding principal balance of debt that is swapped to fixed rate through maturity	172,000,000
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	4.61%	5.25%
Land, buildings and equipment and developments in progress pledged as collateral	2,300,000,000
Net cash proceeds	597,553,000	1,120,102,000	68,410,000
One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis (as a percent)	0.1635%
Other Financing Arrangements [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.00%
Facility Amount	22,700,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	19,968,000	21,309,000
Other Financing Arrangements [Member] | Recourse Debt [member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	20,400,000
Senior Notes 6.875 Percent Due 2021 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.88%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	750,000,000	750,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)				6.875%
Amount of debt issued				750,000,000
Maximum percentage of Notes that can be redeemed using proceeds from equity offerings at any time prior to October 1, 2016				35.00%
Percentage of principal amount at which Notes can be redeemed				106.875%
Net cash proceeds				741,300,000
Senior Notes 6.875 Percent Due 2021 [Member] | Recourse Debt [member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	750,000,000
Summerlin [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Maximum recourse upon completion of the project and achievement of debt service coverage ratio	15.00%
Maximum Percentage Recourse Upon Achievement of Conditions	10.00%
Debt service coverage ratio to be achieved for reduction in maximum recourse	1.15
Debt service coverage ratio to be achieved for further reduction in maximum recourse	1.25
Minimum average tenant sales per net rentable square foot to be achieved for further reduction in maximum recourse	500.00
Occupancy percentage	90.00%
Recourse on loan (as a percent)	35.00%
Amount of debt issued	311,800,000
Columbia Regional Building [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Total mortgages, notes and loans payable										23,000,000
Outlet at Riverwalk Properties [Member] | Construction Loan Payable [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Total mortgages, notes and loans payable					64,400,000
Interest rate margin (as a percent)					2.75%
Number of extension options					2
Option to extend, term					1 year
Master Planned Communities [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	211,195,000	223,808,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Bridgeland [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Term of debt instrument	10 years
Period for which interest rate is fixed	5 years
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Bridgeland [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Cash balance required to be maintained	3,000,000
Net worth required to be maintained	250,000,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Bridgeland [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.75%
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Bridgeland [Member] | Land Loan [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.50%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	15,874,000	18,066,000
Total mortgages, notes and loans payable																						18,100,000
Variable rate basis	three-month LIBOR
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	5.50%
Annual principal payments as a percentage of outstanding principal balance	5.00%
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Bridgeland [Member] | Development Loan [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.00%
Facility Amount	140,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	10,000
Outstanding balance	30,000,000
Variable rate basis	LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	3.25%
Term of debt instrument	3 years
Amount utilized	96,200,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Bridgeland [Member] | Development Loan [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.00%
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S124 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.95%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	236,000	285,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S128 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.05%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	623,000	707,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S128C [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.05%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	5,274,000	5,511,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S132 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	2,936,000	3,962,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S151 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	6,211,000	6,623,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S808 or 810 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	2,805,000	11,168,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin West [Member] | S108 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.95%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	563,000	823,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Woodlands Properties [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	250,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	176,663,000	176,663,000
Variable rate basis						one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)						2.75%
Term of debt instrument	3 years
Extension period at borrower's option	1 year
Undrawn and available borrowing capacity	73,300,000
Maximum facility amount at first extension option	220,000,000
Maximum facility amount at second extension option	185,000,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Woodlands Properties [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.91%
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Woodlands Properties [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount						125,000,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Woodlands Properties [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount						125,000,000
Operating Assets [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	914,272,000	527,343,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.60%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	135,000	205,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Shops at Summerlin Centre [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	311,800,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	229,153,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Shops at Summerlin Centre [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.41%
Operating Assets [Member] | Shops at Summerlin Centre [Member] | S108 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.95%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	310,000	452,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Shops at Summerlin Centre [Member] | S128 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.05%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	3,431,000	3,569,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Columbia Corporate Center 70 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	20,000,000	16,287,000
Variable rate basis							one-month LIBOR	one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)							2.25%	2.25%
Cash paid in full satisfaction of loan assumed as part of the acquisition									17,000,000
Loans Assumed									16,000,000
Lender participation right (as a percent)									30.00%
Percentage of cumulative preferred return on the property									10.00%
Participation right payment									700,000
Number of extension options								2
Option to extend, term								1 year
Amount of debt issued							20,000,000	20,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Columbia Corporate Center 70 [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.41%
Operating Assets [Member] | Columbia Regional Building [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	23,008,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	20,513,000	9,207,000
Variable rate basis										one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin above specified limit (as a percent)	2.00%
Extension period at borrower's option	1 year
Number of extension options	2
Operating Assets [Member] | Columbia Regional Building [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.16%
Operating Assets [Member] | One Hughes Landing [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.30%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	52,000,000	19,128,000																					52,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)																							4.30%
Amount of debt issued																							38,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Two Hughes Landing [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	41,230,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	19,992,000	10,000
Variable rate basis												one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)											2.65%
Number of stories of building to be constructed with loan proceeds											8
Number of extension options	2
Option to extend, term	1 year
Number of spaces in parking garage											630
Amount of debt issued											41,200,000
Area of real estate property to be constructed (in square feet)											197,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Two Hughes Landing [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.81%
Operating Assets [Member] | 1701 Lake Robbins
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.81%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	4,600,000
Loans Assumed													4,600,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)													5.81%
Operating Assets [Member] | Millennium Waterway Apartments
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.75%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	55,584,000	55,584,000
Total mortgages, notes and loans payable																								55,600,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	3.75%
Operating Assets [Member] | Wacker110N [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	29,000,000	29,000,000																							29,000,000
Outstanding balance	29,000,000
Fixed interest rate per swap (as a percent)	5.21%
Corporate recourse guarantee amount	7,000,000
Amount to which debt will amortize ratably through maturity following an interest-only period	12,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Wacker110N [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.21%
Operating Assets [Member] | New Trails 9303 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.88%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	13,074,000	13,398,000
Amount of debt issued																										14,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Riverwalk Marketplace
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	64,400,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	47,118,000
Variable rate basis					one-month LIBOR
Decrease in exposure of outstanding principal (as a percent)	25.00%
Percentage of debt yield to draw additional loan proceeds	11.00%
Recourse on loan (as a percent)	50.00%
Operating Assets [Member] | Riverwalk Marketplace | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.91%
Operating Assets [Member] | Resort and Conference Center [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	95,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	76,027,000	36,100,000												36,100,000
Variable rate basis	one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	3.50%
Extension period at borrower's option	1 year
Amount of a non-recourse construction financing which repaid existing debt														95,000,000
Number of extension options	3
Area of site (in acres)	40
Operating Assets [Member] | Resort and Conference Center [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.66%
Operating Assets [Member] | Ward Centers [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	250,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	238,716,000	238,716,000
Outstanding balance		143,000,000
Variable rate basis	one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	2.50%
Fixed interest rate per swap (as a percent)	3.80%
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	3.35%
Unused portion of the debt instrument	11,300,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Ward Centers [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.35%
Operating Assets [Member] | Ward Centers [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Percentage of debt yield to draw additional loan proceeds	10.00%
Operating Assets [Member] | Ward Centers [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Loan to value ratio to draw additional loan proceeds (as a percent)	65.00%
Operating Assets [Member] | Waterway Square 2025 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.79%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	14,330,000	14,450,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)																											4.79%
Amount of debt issued																											14,500,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Waterway Square 3 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.94%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	52,000,000	52,000,000																										52,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)																												3.94%
Number of stories of building to be constructed with loan proceeds																												11
Area of office building to be constructed using proceeds from loan																												232,000
Amount of debt issued																												43,300,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Waterway 4 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.88%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	38,289,000	39,237,000
Amount of debt issued																										41,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Hughes Landing [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Area of site (in acres)											66
Operating Assets [Member] | Outlet at Riverwalk Properties [Member] | Construction Loan Payable [Member] | Recourse Debt [member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	64,400,000
Maximum percent recourse	50.00%
Maximum Percentage Recourse Upon Achievement of Conditions	25.00%
Debt Yield Required To Achieve The Reduced Maxiumum Percentage Recourse	11.00%
Time Period Of Minimum Level Of Tenat Sales Needed To Achieve The Reduced Maximum Percent Recourse	12 months
Strategic Developments [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	105,724,000	913,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Summerlin [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis															one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)															2.25%
Maximum Percentage Recourse Upon Achievement of Conditions															10.00%
Time Period Of Minimum Level Of Tenat Sales Needed To Achieve The Reduced Maximum Percent Recourse															12 months
Debt Instrument Debt Service Coverage Ratio															1.25
Number of extension options															2
Option to extend, term															1 year
Amount of debt issued															311,800,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Summerlin [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Percentage of occupancy after lease is executed															90.00%
Strategic Developments [Member] | 1725-35 Hughes Landing Boulevard [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	143,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	47,513,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | 1725-35 Hughes Landing Boulevard [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.06%
Strategic Developments [Member] | Three Hughes Landing [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.51%
Facility Amount	65,455,000															65,500,000
Variable rate basis																one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)																2.35%
Number of extension options																2
Option to extend, term																1 year
Strategic Developments [Member] | Hughes Landing Hotel [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.66%
Facility Amount	37,100,000
Variable rate basis																	one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)																	2.50%
Number of extension options																	2
Option to extend, term																	1 year
Amount of debt issued																	37,100,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Hughes Landing Retail [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	36,575,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	17,424,000	913,000
Variable rate basis																		one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)																		1.95%
Extension period at borrower's option																		1 year
Amount of a non-recourse construction financing which repaid existing debt																		36,600,000
Number of extension options																		2
Area of real estate property to be constructed (in square feet)																		123,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Hughes Landing Retail [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.11%
Strategic Developments [Member] | One Lakes Edge [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	73,525,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross	40,787,000
Variable rate basis																			one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)																			2.50%
Amount of a non-recourse construction financing which repaid existing debt																			73,500,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | One Lakes Edge [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.66%
Strategic Developments [Member] | Waiea And Anaha Condominium Towers [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.91%
Facility Amount	600,000,000																			600,000,000
Variable rate basis																				one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)																				6.75%
Number of extension options																				2
Option to extend, term																				1 year
Strategic Developments [Member] | Waterway Square Hotel [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	69,300,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Waterway Square Hotel [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.81%
Strategic Developments [Member] | Waterway Hotel [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis																					one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)																					2.65%
Option to extend, term																					1 year
Number of rooms in property securing debt (in rooms)																					302
Amount of debt issued																					69,300,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Hughes Landing Multi Family [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Number of extension options																			2
Option to extend, term																			1 year
Strategic Developments [Member] | Two Office Buildings [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis							one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)							1.90%
Option to extend, term							1 year
Number of office buildings							2
Amount of debt issued							$ 143,000,000