SEGMENTS (Summary of Segment Operating Results) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Segments reporting
Number of reportable segments | segment										3
Total revenues	$ 464,693	$ 257,160	$ 181,005	$ 161,679	$ 300,983	$ 258,736	$ 308,639	$ 231,762	$ 1,064,537	$ 1,100,120	$ 1,035,005
Total operating expenses									956,791	936,233	824,511
Operating income									107,746
Depreciation and amortization									126,565	132,252	95,864
Provision for impairment									0	0	35,734
Other loss (income)									936	(3,248)	(11,453)
Equity in (earnings) loss from Real Estate and Other Affiliates									(39,954)	(25,498)	(56,818)
Gains on sales of properties									0	51,367	140,549
Income before taxes									73,218	120,822	320,776
Net income	37,924	23,847	(5,879)	1,834	147,328	10,516	3,120	5,659	57,726	166,623	202,326
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									(714)	1,781	(23)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 37,261	$ 23,365	$ (5,088)	$ 1,474	$ 149,121	$ 10,504	$ 3,120	$ 5,659	57,012	168,404	202,303
Operating Segments
Segments reporting
Total revenues									1,064,537	1,100,120	1,035,005
Total operating expenses									675,121	691,672	617,663
Operating income									389,416	408,448	417,342
Depreciation and amortization									117,126	123,954	89,368
Provision for impairment									0	0	35,734
Interest expense (income), net									25,865	11,825	11,905
Other loss (income)									3,972	(3,293)	(5,212)
Equity in (earnings) loss from Real Estate and Other Affiliates									(39,937)	(25,951)	(56,818)
Gains on sales of properties									0	(51,242)	(140,549)
Income before taxes									282,390	353,155	482,914
Operating Segments | Operating Assets
Segments reporting
Total revenues									379,124	327,555	295,165
Total operating expenses									200,872	170,215	151,938
Operating income									178,252	157,340	143,227
Depreciation and amortization									113,576	122,421	86,313
Provision for impairment									0	0	35,734
Interest expense (income), net									71,551	61,584	50,427
Other loss (income)									7,005	315	(4,601)
Equity in (earnings) loss from Real Estate and Other Affiliates									(1,529)	(3,267)	(2,802)
Income before taxes									(12,351)	(23,713)	(21,844)
Operating Segments | Master Planned Communities
Segments reporting
Total revenues									309,451	299,543	253,304
Total operating expenses									169,474	159,895	138,098
Operating income									139,977	139,648	115,206
Depreciation and amortization									243	323	311
Interest expense (income), net									(26,919)	(24,292)	(21,085)
Other loss (income)									(18)	(3,500)	0
Equity in (earnings) loss from Real Estate and Other Affiliates									(36,284)	(23,234)	(43,501)
Income before taxes									202,955	190,351	179,481
Operating Segments | Strategic Developments
Segments reporting
Total revenues									375,962	473,022	486,536
Total operating expenses									304,775	361,562	327,627
Operating income									71,187	111,460	158,909
Depreciation and amortization									3,307	1,210	2,744
Interest expense (income), net									(18,767)	(25,467)	(17,437)
Other loss (income)									(3,015)	(108)	(611)
Equity in (earnings) loss from Real Estate and Other Affiliates									(2,124)	550	(10,515)
Gains on sales of properties									0	(51,242)	(140,549)
Income before taxes									91,786	186,517	325,277
Corporate
Segments reporting
Corporate expenses and other items									$ 224,664	$ 186,532	$ 280,588