SEGMENTS (Details 3)-K (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of REP EBT to GAAP net income (loss)
REP EBT	$ 255,838	$ 154,437	$ 109,705
General and administrative	(73,569)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	(48,466)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	(36,548)us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Corporate interest income, net	22,531us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	3,185us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	9,437us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Warrant liability loss	(60,520)hhc_WarrantLiabilityGainLoss	(181,987)hhc_WarrantLiabilityGainLoss	(185,017)hhc_WarrantLiabilityGainLoss
Increase (reduction) in tax indemnity receivable	90	(1,206)	(20,260)
Loss on settlement of tax indemnity receivable	(74,095)
Corporate other income, net:	29,471us-gaap_OtherIncome	29,478us-gaap_OtherIncome	2,125us-gaap_OtherIncome
Corporate depreciation and amortization	(55,958)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	(33,845)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	(24,429)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Income (loss) before taxes	39,440	(64,125)	(120,656)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Consolidated Properties [Member]
Reconciliation of REP EBT to GAAP net income (loss)
General and administrative	(73,569)	(48,466)	(36,548)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of REP EBT to GAAP net income (loss)
Corporate interest income, net	30,819	10,575	(10,153)
Warrant liability loss	(60,520)	(181,987)	(185,017)
Corporate other income, net:	27,098	25,869	2,125
Corporate depreciation and amortization	(4,583)	(2,197)	(814)
Income (loss) before taxes	$ 39,440	$ (64,125)	$ (120,656)

The gain (loss) on settlement of the tax indemnity receivable.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The increase (reduction) in tax indemnity receivable.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents operating revenues less operating expenses from MPC, Operating and Strategic Development segments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The net change in the difference between the comparative fair values (warrant liability) at each balance sheet date resulting in a gain (loss) in earnings for the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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- Definition

The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

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- Definition

Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income on nonoperating securities.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(b))

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- Definition

Reflects the sum of all other revenue and income recognized by the entity in the period not otherwise specified in the income statement.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.4)

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-Section 04

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