Discontinued Operations and Gain on Disposition of Rental Properties (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Summary of operating results of discontinued operations
Revenues from real estate operations	$ 9,911,000	$ 20,451,000	$ 20,445,000	$ 40,181,000
Expenses
Operating expenses	5,631,000	9,999,000	12,143,000	20,133,000
Depreciation and amortization	749,000	3,525,000	1,987,000	6,994,000
Impairment of real estate	0	2,709,000	0	4,090,000
Total expenses	6,380,000	16,233,000	14,130,000	31,217,000
Interest expense	(1,515,000)	(3,627,000)	(2,769,000)	(7,361,000)
Amortization of mortgage procurement costs	(19,000)	(325,000)	(50,000)	(492,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	(40,000)	0
Interest income	111,000	127,000	225,000	280,000
Gain on disposition of rental properties	21,221,000	0	43,103,000	8,879,000
Earnings before income taxes	23,329,000	393,000	46,784,000	10,270,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	12,080,000	(325,000)	19,007,000	3,603,000
Earnings from discontinued operations	11,249,000	718,000	27,777,000	6,667,000
Noncontrolling interest
Gain on disposition of rental properties	0	0	5,835,000	965,000
Operating earnings from rental properties	0	514,000	3,000	590,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	514,000	5,838,000	1,555,000
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Forest City Enterprises, Inc.	$ 11,249,000	$ 204,000	$ 21,939,000	$ 5,112,000