INCOME TAXES (Details)-K (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	May 06, 2011 item
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
Current		$ (2,050,000)	$ 1,218,000	$ 2,439,000
Deferred taxes		65,010,000	8,352,000	4,448,000
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		62,960,000	9,570,000	6,887,000
Reconciliation of income tax expense computed by applying the Federal corporate tax rate to the provision for income taxes
Tax at statutory rate on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes		13,800,000	(22,477,000)	(42,490,000)
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance, net		5,602,000	(88,826,000)	(32,172,000)
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit		1,320,000	1,562,000	1,328,000
Tax at statutory rate on REIT entity earnings not subject to Federal income taxes		(512,000)	(2,648,000)	(3,087,000)
Tax expense (benefit) from change in rates, prior period adjustments and other permanent differences		(12,193,000)	4,339,000	13,908,000
Set up deferred tax liability related to captive REIT		(1,068,000)	53,973,000
Non-deductible warrant liability (gain) loss		21,182,000	63,695,000	65,311,000
Non-taxable interest income		18,373,000	(363,000)	(2,863,000)
Uncertain tax position expense, excluding interest		2,395,000	(1,034,000)	1,765,000
Uncertain tax position interest, net of Federal income tax benefit		14,061,000	1,349,000	5,187,000
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		62,960,000	9,570,000	6,887,000
Additional Disclosures
Gross deferred tax assets	336,635,000	335,674,000	336,635,000
Gross deferred tax liabilities	413,376,000	379,661,000	413,376,000
Valuation allowance	12,624,000	18,218,000	12,624,000
Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Percentage				100.00%
Percentage of deferred tax asset realized on successful implementation of tax planning	90.00%
Tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards included in the net deferred tax liabilities
Operating and Strategic Development properties, primary differences in basis of assets and liabilities	201,993,000	201,303,000	201,993,000
Interest deduction carryforwards	85,671,000	80,520,000	85,671,000
Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	48,971,000	53,851,000	48,971,000
Total deferred tax assets	336,635,000	335,674,000	336,635,000
Valuation allowance	(12,624,000)	(18,218,000)	(12,624,000)
Total net deferred tax assets	324,011,000	317,456,000	324,011,000
Property Associated with Master Planned Communities, primarily differences in the tax basis of land assets and treatment of interest and other costs	(137,930,000)	(212,093,000)	(137,930,000)
Operating and Strategic Development properties, primarily differences in basis of assets and liabilities	(48,007,000)	(47,355,000)	(48,007,000)
Deferred income	(227,439,000)	(120,213,000)	(227,439,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(413,376,000)	(379,661,000)	(413,376,000)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(89,365,000)	(62,205,000)	(89,365,000)
Proceeds From Settlement Of Tax Indemnity Receivable		138,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	0	0	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest	90,532,000	184,200,000	90,532,000	95,917,000
Accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits		60,300,000
Interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits		21,600,000	2,100,000	8,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance		90,532,000	95,917,000	101,408,000
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period		93,668,000	9,162,000	841,000
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior periods			(14,547,000)	(6,332,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	90,532,000	184,200,000	90,532,000	95,917,000
Reduction in uncertain tax benefits		144,100,000	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest, which could significantly increase or decrease during the next twelve months		184,200,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member]
Tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards included in the net deferred tax liabilities
Reclassification of uncertain tax position liability		39,000,000
Income Tax Receivable [Member]
Tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards included in the net deferred tax liabilities
Reclassification of uncertain tax position liability		2,500,000
Capital Loss Carryforward [Member]
Reconciliation of income tax expense computed by applying the Federal corporate tax rate to the provision for income taxes
Tax credit carryforwards - Federal AMT		26,345,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Reconciliation of income tax expense computed by applying the Federal corporate tax rate to the provision for income taxes
Net operating loss carryforwards		109,096,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Alternate Minimum Tax [Member]
Reconciliation of income tax expense computed by applying the Federal corporate tax rate to the provision for income taxes
Tax credit carryforwards - Federal AMT		1,955,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Reconciliation of income tax expense computed by applying the Federal corporate tax rate to the provision for income taxes
Net operating loss carryforwards		138,221,000
Head Acquisition LP
Additional Disclosures
Deferred tax assets previously believed to have had only a remote possibility of realization recorded in the current period				76,400,000
General Growth Properties [Member]
Tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards included in the net deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities		85,100,000
Number of subsidiaries involved in dispute with IRS		2
Percentage of certain taxes indemnified by related party		93.75%
Amount of combined deficiencies determined by the IRS sought to be overturned by the petition filed					144,100,000
Proceeds From Settlement Of Tax Indemnity Receivable		138,000,000
Number of office properties from settlement		6
Value Of Buildings Received From Settlement Of Tax Indemnity Receivable		130,000,000
Non-cash charges		74,000,000
Consideration received		268,000,000
Percentage of deferred tax assets liabilities		100.00%
Expected cash recovery		60,000,000
Number of former taxable REIT subsidiaries subject to litigation for which motion is filed to consolidate cases					2
General Growth Properties [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards included in the net deferred tax liabilities
Amount of certain taxes indemnified by related party		303,800,000
Victoria Ward Limited [Member]
Tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards included in the net deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Tax Liabilities Excess Book Over Tax Basis	$ 48,000,000	$ 46,900,000	$ 48,000,000