Schedule III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMLATED DEPRECIATION - Information by property (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	$ 2,443,962
Initial Cost
Land	2,435,702
Buildings and Improvements	1,456,365
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(470,398)
Building and Improvements	1,352,963
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,965,304
Building and Improvements	2,809,328
Total	4,774,632	$ 4,116,556	$ 3,024,833	$ 2,746,596
Accumulated Depreciation	232,969	157,182	$ 111,728	$ 112,491
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	(12,392)	$ (14,663)
Aggregate cost of land, building and improvements for federal income tax purposes	4,000,000
Ae'o
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	16,294
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	16,294
Total	16,294
Alameda Plaza
Initial Cost
Land	740
Buildings and Improvements	2,060
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(740)
Building and Improvements	(1,793)
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	267
Total	267
Alden Bridge Self Storage
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	1,679
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	1,679
Total	1,679
Allentowne
Initial Cost
Land	25,575
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(25,575)
Building and Improvements	25,475
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	25,475
Total	25,475
Anaha Condominiums
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	6,091
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	30,555
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	6,174
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	36,729
Total	36,729
Bridgeland
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	40,077
Initial Cost
Land	257,222
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	177,998
Building and Improvements	1,268
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	435,220
Building and Improvements	1,268
Total	436,488
Accumulated Depreciation	709
Bridges at Mint Hill LLC
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	21,470
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	21,470
Total	21,470
Century Plaza
Initial Cost
Land	3,164
Buildings and Improvements	28,514
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(3,164)
Building and Improvements	(24,279)
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	4,235
Total	4,235
Circle T
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	(10)
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	(10)
Total	(10)
70 Columbia Corporate Center
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	100,000
Initial Cost
Land	24,685
Buildings and Improvements	94,824
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	7,733
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	24,685
Building and Improvements	102,557
Total	127,242
Accumulated Depreciation	4,665
Columbia Offices
Initial Cost
Land	1,575
Buildings and Improvements	28,447
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	4,168
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,575
Building and Improvements	32,615
Total	34,190
Accumulated Depreciation	14,101
Columbia Regional Building
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	22,188
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	28,865
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	337
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	29,202
Total	29,202
Accumulated Depreciation	2,079
Cottonwood Mall
Initial Cost
Land	7,613
Buildings and Improvements	42,987
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(7,613)
Building and Improvements	(21,626)
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	21,361
Total	21,361
Cottonwood Square
Initial Cost
Land	1,558
Buildings and Improvements	4,339
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	923
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,558
Building and Improvements	5,262
Total	6,820
Accumulated Depreciation	1,844
Creekside Park Village Center
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,323
Building and Improvements	15,732
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,323
Building and Improvements	15,732
Total	17,055
Accumulated Depreciation	279
Shops at Summerlin Centre
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	293,389
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	30,855
Building and Improvements	364,100
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	30,855
Building and Improvements	364,100
Total	394,955
Accumulated Depreciation	12,715
Hughes Landing Hotel
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	20,064
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	6,752
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,818
Building and Improvements	33,012
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,818
Building and Improvements	39,764
Total	41,582
Accumulated Depreciation	109
Hughes Landing Retail
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	28,726
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	4,186
Building and Improvements	31,735
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	4,186
Building and Improvements	31,735
Total	35,921
Accumulated Depreciation	521
One Hughes Landing
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	52,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,678
Building and Improvements	35,029
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,678
Building and Improvements	35,029
Total	36,707
Accumulated Depreciation	3,212
Two Hughes Landing
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	48,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,269
Building and Improvements	32,483
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,269
Building and Improvements	32,483
Total	33,752
Accumulated Depreciation	1,678
Three Hughes Landing
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	23,268
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	13,008
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	41,405
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	54,413
Total	54,413
Hughes Landing Boulevard 1725
Initial Cost
Land	1,351
Buildings and Improvements	36,764
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,351
Building and Improvements	36,764
Total	38,115
Accumulated Depreciation	446
Hughes Landing Boulevard 1735
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	89,677
Initial Cost
Land	3,709
Buildings and Improvements	123,846
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	(3,044)
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	3,709
Building and Improvements	120,802
Total	124,511
Accumulated Depreciation	826
IBM Building
Initial Cost
Land	3,326
Buildings and Improvements	23,123
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	8,201
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	3,326
Building and Improvements	31,324
Total	34,650
Accumulated Depreciation	5,576
Ke Kilohana
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	5,114
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	5,152
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	10,266
Total	10,266
Kendall Town Center
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	18,797
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	18,797
Total	18,797
Kewalo Basin Harbor
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	1,735
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	1,735
Total	1,735
1701 Lake Robbins
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	4,600
Initial Cost
Land	1,663
Buildings and Improvements	3,725
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	8
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,663
Building and Improvements	3,733
Total	5,396
Accumulated Depreciation	133
Lake Woodlands Drive 2201
Initial Cost
Land	3,755
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	3,755
Total	3,755
One Lakes Edge
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	67,517
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,057
Building and Improvements	80,765
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,057
Building and Improvements	80,765
Total	81,822
Accumulated Depreciation	1,455
Lakeland Village Center
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	11,135
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	11,135
Total	11,135
Lakemoor Volo Land
Initial Cost
Land	320
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(320)
Building and Improvements	321
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	321
Total	321
Landmark Mall
Initial Cost
Land	28,396
Buildings and Improvements	67,235
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(19,408)
Building and Improvements	(34,773)
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	8,988
Building and Improvements	32,462
Total	41,450
Accumulated Depreciation	12,743
Maryland Communities
Initial Cost
Land	457,552
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(435,462)
Building and Improvements	197
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	22,090
Building and Improvements	197
Total	22,287
Accumulated Depreciation	127
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Initial Cost
Land	1,571
Buildings and Improvements	67,510
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	1,646
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,571
Building and Improvements	69,156
Total	70,727
Accumulated Depreciation	37
Millennium Waterway Apartments
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	55,584
Initial Cost
Land	15,917
Buildings and Improvements	56,002
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	222
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	15,917
Building and Improvements	56,224
Total	72,141
Accumulated Depreciation	8,234
9303 New Trails
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	12,734
Initial Cost
Land	1,929
Buildings and Improvements	11,915
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	2,042
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,929
Building and Improvements	13,957
Total	15,886
Accumulated Depreciation	2,048
110 N Wacker
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	26,481
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	29,035
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	12,249
Building and Improvements	5,498
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	12,249
Building and Improvements	34,533
Total	46,782
Accumulated Depreciation	14,242
Outlet Collection at Elk Grove
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	12,865
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	12,865
Total	12,865
Accumulated Depreciation	4
Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	56,100
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	94,513
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	(3,623)
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	90,890
Total	90,890
Accumulated Depreciation	7,990
Park West
Initial Cost
Land	16,526
Buildings and Improvements	77,548
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,201
Building and Improvements	1,427
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	17,727
Building and Improvements	78,975
Total	96,702
Accumulated Depreciation	23,725
Seaport District Assemblage
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	243,610
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	3,691
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	247,301
Total	247,301
85 South Street
Initial Cost
Land	15,913
Buildings and Improvements	8,137
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	42
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	15,913
Building and Improvements	8,179
Total	24,092
Accumulated Depreciation	760
South Street Seaport
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	7,884
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	220,088
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	227,972
Total	227,972
Accumulated Depreciation	959
Summerlin
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	50,154
Initial Cost
Land	990,179
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(125,903)
Building and Improvements	1,019
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	864,276
Building and Improvements	1,019
Total	865,295
Accumulated Depreciation	533
3831 Technology Forest
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	22,759
Initial Cost
Land	514
Buildings and Improvements	14,194
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	1,819
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	514
Building and Improvements	16,013
Total	16,527
Accumulated Depreciation	859
The Club at Carlton Woods
Initial Cost
Land	13,796
Buildings and Improvements	457
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(13,796)
Building and Improvements	(457)
Woodlands Properties
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	192,710
Initial Cost
Land	267,996
Buildings and Improvements	9,814
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(43,726)
Building and Improvements	5,569
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	224,270
Building and Improvements	15,383
Total	239,653
Accumulated Depreciation	1,887
The Woodlands Hills
Initial Cost
Land	99,284
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,820
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	101,104
Total	101,104
Woodlands Parking Garages
Initial Cost
Land	5,857
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,529
Building and Improvements	11,269
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	7,386
Building and Improvements	11,269
Total	18,655
Accumulated Depreciation	508
The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	85,000
Initial Cost
Land	13,258
Buildings and Improvements	37,983
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	73,701
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	13,258
Building and Improvements	111,684
Total	124,942
Accumulated Depreciation	7,823
Waiea
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	21,726
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	20,812
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	20,510
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	41,322
Total	41,322
Ward Gateway Towers
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	28,450
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	28,450
Total	28,450
Ward Village
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	238,716
Initial Cost
Land	164,007
Buildings and Improvements	89,321
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(32,411)
Building and Improvements	170,218
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	131,596
Building and Improvements	259,539
Total	391,135
Accumulated Depreciation	68,360
Waterway Garage Retail
Initial Cost
Land	1,342
Buildings and Improvements	4,255
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(1)
Building and Improvements	1,348
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,341
Building and Improvements	5,603
Total	6,944
Accumulated Depreciation	759
3 Waterway Square
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	52,000
Initial Cost
Land	748
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	42,329
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	748
Building and Improvements	42,329
Total	43,077
Accumulated Depreciation	5,310
4 Waterway Square
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	37,293
Initial Cost
Land	1,430
Buildings and Improvements	51,553
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	6,985
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,430
Building and Improvements	58,538
Total	59,968
Accumulated Depreciation	9,110
Waterway Square Hotel
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	33,361
Initial Cost
Buildings and Improvements	22,473
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	55,936
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	78,409
Total	78,409
2025 Waterway Avenue
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	14,112
Initial Cost
Land	2,346
Buildings and Improvements	8,871
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Building and Improvements	767
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	2,346
Building and Improvements	9,638
Total	11,984
Accumulated Depreciation	1,447
West Windsor
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	53
Building and Improvements	24,101
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	53
Building and Improvements	24,101
Total	24,154
Woodloch Forest 1400
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	1,570
Building and Improvements	14,079
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,570
Building and Improvements	14,079
Total	15,649
Accumulated Depreciation	7,098
Corporate Segment
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Encumbrances	762,027
Initial Cost
Land	885
Buildings and Improvements	1,027
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Land	(885)
Building and Improvements	30,912
Gross Amounts at Which Carried at Close of Period
Building and Improvements	31,939
Total	31,939
Accumulated Depreciation	$ 8,058