Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Wildwood Associates) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	$ 10,296,000		$ 67,101,000		$ 37,379,000
Equity Method Investments Including those with Negative Balances	77,461,000		84,322,000
Company's Investment	100,498,000		107,082,000
Cousins Watkins LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	19,800,000
Equity Method Investments Including those with Negative Balances	0		17,213,000
Wildwood Associates [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage of Partner in Joint Venture	5000.00%
Acres of land available for development or sale (acres)	27
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	2,100,000
Recognition of Deferred Revenue	582,000
Equity Method Investments Including those with Negative Balances	$ (1,106,000)	[1]	$ (1,689,000)	[1]

[1] Negative balances are included in deferred income on the balance sheets.