MORTGAGES, NOTES AND LOANS PAYABLE (Schedule of Debt by Property) (Details)								1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 27, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 06, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 16, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 23, 2017 USD ($) Option	Jan. 19, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 25, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 item	Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2017 USD ($) ft²	Jun. 12, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2016 item
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Unamortized bond issuance costs											$ (5,779,000)	$ (7,280,000)
Deferred Financing Costs											(11,934,000)	(12,996,000)
Total mortgages, notes and loans payable											$ 2,690,747,000	3,002,846,000
Repayments of debt												$ 1,085,438,000	$ 4,492,000
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)											4.71%	4.61%
Net cash proceeds received from issuance												$ 1,399,843,000	$ 207,561,000
Other Corporate Financing Arrangements
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.00%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											$ 15,948,000	$ 15,466,000
Other Corporate Financing Arrangements | Recourse Debt
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 15,500,000
Senior Notes 6.875 Percent Due 2021
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												6.88%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											750,000,000
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued				$ 750,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)				6.875%
Senior Notes 6.875 Percent Due 2021 | Recourse Debt
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 1,000,000,000
5.375% senior notes due March 15, 2025
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												5.38%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 1,000,000,000
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued				$ 800,000,000											$ 200,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)				5.375%
Redemption price percentage at which Notes can be redeemed				105.375%
Woodlands Properties
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Land, buildings and equipment and developments in progress pledged as collateral												3,300,000,000
m.flats/TEN.M | Construction Loan Payable [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Number of extension options | item																	3
Master Planned Communities [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											255,438,000	$ 248,498,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | The Woodlands Master Credit Facility
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount										$ 200,000,000
Variable rate basis												One-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)										2.75%
Number of extension options | item								2
Option to extend, term								1 year	1 year
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount										$ 100,000,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount		$ 180,000,000								$ 100,000,000
Maximum additional borrowing amount		$ 30,000,000
Extension period at borrower's option		1 year
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis		one
Interest rate margin (as a percent)		2.75%
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Bridgeland [Member] | Bridgeland Credit Facility
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												4.60%
Facility Amount												$ 65,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											65,000,000	65,000,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin [Member] | Special Improvement District bonds
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
New SIDs issued												0
Bond obligation												$ 6,000,000
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											123,000	$ 104,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S128 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												7.30%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											440,000	$ 390,000
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											1,268,000	$ 1,096,000
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											4,159,000	$ 3,964,000
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											4,600,000	$ 4,467,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin South [Member] | S159
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												6.00%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											2,389,000	$ 2,353,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Summerlin West [Member] | S812
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												6.00%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											$ 27,459,000	$ 21,124,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | Woodlands Properties | The Woodlands Master Credit Facility
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Option to extend, term											1 year
Outstanding principal balance of debt that is swapped to fixed rate through maturity									$ 175,000,000
Maximum facility amount at second extension option																$ 25,000,000
Master Planned Communities [Member] | The Woodlands Master | The Woodlands Master Credit Facility
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.92%
Facility Amount												$ 180,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											$ 150,000,000	150,000,000
Operating Assets [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											1,526,227,000	$ 1,569,180,000
Operating Assets [Member] | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis												one-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)												1.17%
Operating Assets [Member] | Other
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											235,000
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											1,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Downtown Summerlin
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.42%
Facility Amount												$ 305,888,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											302,981,000	305,888,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Downtown Summerlin | Recourse Debt
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 305,800,000
Maximum percent recourse												35.00%
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%
Decrease in exposure of outstanding principal (as a percent)												15.00%
Operating Assets [Member] | Downtown Summerlin | S128 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												6.05%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											3,350,000	$ 2,887,000
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
Repayments of debt			$ 4,600,000
Operating Assets [Member] | 1725-35 Hughes Landing Boulevard
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												2.82%
Facility Amount												$ 143,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											105,647,000	$ 112,021,000
Operating Assets [Member] | 70 Columbia Corporate Center
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.17%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											20,000,000	$ 20,000,000
Immediate advance on loan after modification of agreement														$ 20,000,000
Area of real estate property acquired (in square foot) | ft²														170,741
Operating Assets [Member] | The Westin at the woodlands
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.82%
Facility Amount												$ 57,946,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											58,077,000	$ 57,946,000
Operating Assets [Member] | 110 N Wacker Drive
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												5.21%
Outstanding balance												$ 20,800,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											22,704,000	$ 20,815,000
Fixed interest rate per swap (as a percent)												5.21%
Operating Assets [Member] | 110 N Wacker Drive | Recourse Debt
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 20,800,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.92%
Facility Amount												$ 54,809,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											55,778,000	54,809,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Outlet Collection at Riverwalk | Construction Loan Payable [Member] | Recourse Debt
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 54,800,000
Maximum percent recourse												50.00%
Maximum percentage recourse upon achievement of conditions												25.00%
Time period of minimum level of tenant sales needed to achieve the reduced maximum percent recourse												12 months
Debt yield to achieve the reduced maximum percentage recourse												11.00%
Operating Assets [Member] | Three Hughes Landing
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.52%
Facility Amount												$ 65,455,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											35,053,000	$ 39,339,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Lakeland Village Center
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.52%
Facility Amount												$ 14,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											9,979,000	$ 11,049,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Embassy Suites at Hughes Landing
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.67%
Facility Amount												$ 37,100,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											29,461,000	$ 30,505,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Resort and Conference Center [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												4.42%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											70,000,000	$ 68,500,000
Operating Assets [Member] | One Merriweather
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.32%
Facility Amount												$ 49,900,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											23,588,000	$ 39,247,000
Operating Assets [Member] | HHC 242 Self Storage Facility
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.77%
Facility Amount												$ 6,658,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											3,708,000	$ 6,013,000
Operating Assets [Member] | 10-60 Columbia Corporate Center
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.16%
Outstanding balance												$ 40,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											80,000,000	$ 80,000,000
Fixed interest rate per swap (as a percent)												3.41%
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											13,886,000	$ 13,767,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Millennium Waterway Apartments [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.75%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											55,584,000	$ 55,584,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Ward Village [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.66%
Outstanding balance												$ 119,400,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											238,718,000	$ 238,718,000
Fixed interest rate per swap (as a percent)												3.64%
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											12,378,000	$ 12,193,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Waterway 4 [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												4.88%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											36,249,000	$ 35,707,000
Operating Assets [Member] | 3831 Technology Forest
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												4.50%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											22,383,000	$ 22,185,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Millennium Six Pines Apartments [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.39%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											42,500,000	$ 42,500,000
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											51,590,000	$ 50,965,000
Operating Assets [Member] | One Lakes Edge
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												4.50%
Facility Amount							$ 73,500,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross							71,900,000				68,874,000	$ 69,440,000
Repayments of debt							$ 3,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | One Lakes Edge | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis							One-month LIBOR
Interest rate margin (as a percent)							3.50%
Operating Assets [Member] | One Lakes Edge | Fannie Mae
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued					$ 69,400,000
Number of extension options | Option					2
Option to extend, term					1 year
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)					4.50%
Interest Period					4 years
Amortization Period					30 years
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	$ 52,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Two Hughes Landing [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												4.20%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											48,000,000	$ 48,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Hughes Landing Retail [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.50%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											35,000,000	$ 35,000,000
Operating Assets [Member] | Columbia Regional Building [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)						4.48%						4.48%
Facility Amount						$ 23,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											22,188,000	$ 25,000,000
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued						$ 25,000,000
Interest Period						2 years
Amortization Period						30 years
Operating Assets [Member] | 100 Fellowship Drive
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount	$ 51,400,000
Operating Assets [Member] | 100 Fellowship Drive | One Month LIBOR
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Variable rate basis	one
Interest rate margin (as a percent)	1.50%
Operating Assets [Member] | HHC 2978 Self-Storage Facility
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.77%
Facility Amount												$ 6,368,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											1,715,000	$ 4,639,000
Operating Assets [Member] | One Mall North
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.42%
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 14,463,000
Operating Assets [Member] | 10-60 Columbia and One mall north Building
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued														$ 94,500,000
Operating Assets [Member] | One mall north Building,10-60 and 70 Columbia corporate Center
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Facility Amount														$ 114,500,000
Land, buildings and equipment and developments in progress pledged as collateral												114,500,000
Strategic Developments [Member]
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											160,847,000	$ 189,978,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Waiea And Anaha Condominiums
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												7.92%
Facility Amount												$ 410,000,000
Outstanding balance											410,000,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross											$ 160,847,000	$ 184,805,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Ke Kilohana
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												4.42%
Facility Amount												$ 142,656,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Two Merriweather
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												3.67%
Facility Amount												$ 33,156,000
Mortgages, notes, and loans payable, gross												$ 5,173,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | Ae'o
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												5.17%
Facility Amount												$ 230,000,000
Strategic Developments [Member] | 100 Fellowship Drive
Mortgages, notes and loans payable
Interest rate (as a percent)												2.67%
Facility Amount												$ 51,426,000