Area of a real estate property.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 45, 46, 47

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-Publisher FASB

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-Paragraph 28

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 230

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-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

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- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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-Paragraph 16, 20

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- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

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- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB

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-Paragraph 28

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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-Paragraph 19

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

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- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of real estate owned for investment purposes.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.14(d))

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph d

-Article 9

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-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph g

-Chapter V

-Subsection II

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 7

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16385135&loc=d3e33749-111570

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph b

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The amount of interest income and other income recognized during the period. Included in this element is interest derived from investments in debt securities, cash and cash equivalents, and other investments which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money and other income from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 29

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

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- Definition

Revenue, comprised of base and incentive revenue derived from the management of joint ventures, managing third-party properties, or another entity's operations.

+ References

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- Definition

The carrying amount of mortgage loans on real estate that were sold during the reporting period.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 310

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29.6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6589523&loc=d3e617274-123014

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 29

-Article 12

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph Schedule IV

-Article 5

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- Definition

Total amount of new mortgage loans on real estate during the reporting period.

+ References

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- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of or advances to an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled (for example, an unconsolidated subsidiary, affiliate, and joint venture or equity method investment) or the acquisition of an additional interest in a subsidiary (controlled entity).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of real estate held for investment purposes.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

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-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of real estate held-for-investment and real estate joint ventures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The book value of investments in real estate joint ventures including direct and indirect investments.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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- Definition

The carrying amount of investments in unconsolidated real estate and other joint ventures not separately presented. This includes direct and indirect investments.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of income (loss) from operations derived by the reporting entity during the period from the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph d

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

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- Definition

Acquisition of Debt Purchase Price

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument, Accrued Interest and Other Costs

+ References

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- Definition

Defaulted Real Estate Loans

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Estimated Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Gain (Loss) On Acquisition of Mortgage Loans

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Interest Reserve

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Joint Venture, Percentage Ownership in Real Estate Portfolio

+ References

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- Definition

Negative Goodwill Amortization

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Number of Acres Approved, Pledged as Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of Pools

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Residential Lots

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Stories in Real Estate Property

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of Units in Real Estate Property Sold

+ References

No definition available.

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Proceeds from Guarantor Settlement

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Provision for loss on non-consolidated real estate businesses

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Real Estate Investments, Unconsolidated Real Estate and Other Joint Ventures, Additional Investment To Be Made

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Square Footage of Real Estate

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New Valley LLC (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended																	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended					5 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended								1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended												12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 10, 2012 sqft	Dec. 31, 2012 New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 New Valley LLC [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Sesto Holdings S r. l. [Member] acre	Dec. 31, 2012 Douglas Elliman Realty LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] acre	Dec. 31, 2011 Douglas Elliman Realty LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Douglas Elliman Realty LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Douglas Elliman Realty Formerly Prudential [Member] Douglas Elliman Realty LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2008 New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fifty Third-Five Building LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Fifty Third-Five Building LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Fifty Third-Five Building LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Fifty Third-Five Building LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sesto Holdings S r. l. [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sesto Holdings S r. l. [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Sesto Holdings S r. l. [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 1107 Broadway [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 1107 Broadway [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Hill Street Partners [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Lofts 21 LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Lofts 21 LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Feb. 28, 2011 Lofts 21 LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Hotel Taiwana [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Hotel Taiwana [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Hotel Taiwana [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] pool units	Oct. 31, 2011 Hotel Taiwana [Member] Hill Street Partners [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Feb. 28, 2011 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] units	Sep. 30, 2009 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] units	Jun. 30, 2008 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] units	Jun. 30, 2011 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] units	Aug. 31, 2010 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] units	Dec. 31, 2011 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Aberdeen Townhomes LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Sep. 28, 2012 NV Socal LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 NV Socal LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NV Socal LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Nov. 03, 2011 NV Socal LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Oct. 28, 2011 NV Socal LLC [Member] spft properties	Oct. 28, 2011 NV Socal LLC [Member] Class C [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 HFZ East 68th Street [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] story spft	Dec. 31, 2011 HFZ East 68th Street [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2008 Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] units	Dec. 31, 2012 Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] commerical_units	Jul. 02, 2011 Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member] New Valley Oaktree Chelsea Eleven LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Eleven Beach Street Investor LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Eleven Beach Street Investor LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Eleven Beach Street Investor LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 NV Maryland LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] units	Dec. 31, 2012 NV Maryland LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NV Maryland LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 NV 701 Seventh Avenue LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] spft	Oct. 31, 2012 NV 701 Seventh Avenue LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 NV 701 Seventh Avenue LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NV 701 Seventh Avenue LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Queens Plaza [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Queens Plaza [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chrystie Street [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Chrystie Street [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chrystie Venture LLC [Member] Chrystie Street [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Additional Future Investment [Member] Eleven Beach Street Investor LLC [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Escena [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Escena [Member]	Jun. 30, 2009 Escena [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2008 Escena [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] Acre units lots
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage							42.00%	50.00%			20.00%	40.00%			40.00%				50.00%			7.20%	5.00%		17.39%			12.00%				37.00%														26.00%			18.00%				29.00%							30.00%			11.50%				45.37%		49.00%		37.50%
Joint Venture, Percentage Ownership in Real Estate Portfolio																																																												25.00%
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	$ 29,764	$ 19,966	$ 23,963					$ 16,741	$ 16,571	$ 22,303		$ 9,483	$ 7,638			$ 2,900																												$ 7,180	$ 95																$ (269)
Interest Income (Expense), Net								0	0	158
Negative Goodwill Amortization								0	158	182
Management fee income	0	0	0					2,300	2,300	1,300
Distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses	49,221	8,450	3,539					5,540	9,022	8,517		3,137	3,000	900		20,900																											32,275																		117
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses	119,219	124,469			119,219	124,469		65,171	53,970			0	6,320		12,000	0	15,500	18,000	2,500	5,037	5,037	5,000	5,566	5,489	2,658	900	900	900	2,658	2,658														0	25,095	25,000			7,000	7,000							9,642	9,642	0	5,000	4,615	0	9,307	1,507	7,800	0	7,350	0	1,973	0		1,321
Real Estate Investments, Unconsolidated Real Estate and Other Joint Ventures, Additional Investment To Be Made																																																															14,000
Estimated Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage																																																									49.50%
Face amount																																															796,000	117,900					29,000			47,100																				20,000
Accrued interest and other costs																																																																												1,445
Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates																																																					1,000
Number of units available																															30					4	5	5		4														54	1					5,500																450
Number of pools (in pools)																															6
Repayments of Long-term Debt																																																				37,200
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage																																																						60.25%	60.25%
Interest Reserve																																																							3,750
Interest Paid																																																			1,500
Payments to Acquire Defaulted Real Estate Loans																	35,500
Maximum exposure to loss as a result of this investment												0				0				5,037			5,566			900			2,658															0					7,000									9,642			4,615		9,307				7,350		1,973
First mortgage loan originated in July 2007																																															796,000	117,900					29,000			47,100																				20,000
Purchase price of C-Note																																																96,700
Collateralized property portfolio																																															31
Basis points																																												3.10%
Square Footage of Real Estate Property							322	450																																																																				450
Number of Stories in Real Estate Property																																																	12
Square Footage of Real Estate				12,390																																											4,500,000		105,000														120,000
Payments to Acquire Real Estate Held-for-investment																																						10,000
Provision for loss on non-consolidated real estate businesses																																	3,500									3,500
Units sold																																					1		2	2
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Cost of Mortgages Sold																																					8,700			14,350
Sale of Aberdeen townhome																																		7,994	11,635	375	1,752			971
Mortgage acquired																																				13,500
Real Estate Investments, Joint Ventures																																										16,275
Gain (Loss) On Real Estate Investment Activity																																										760
Variable Interest Entity, Operating Income																																										352
Gain on sale of townhomes																																									3,843
Number of Residential Lots																																																																												867
Number of Acres Approved, Pledged as Collateral																																																																												7
Proceeds from Guarantor Settlement																																																																											500
Asset Impairment Charges																																																																									$ 5,000	$ 4,000