New Valley LLC Investment in Escena (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014 Escena [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Escena [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Escena [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Escena [Member] New Valley LLC [Member]	Oct. 30, 2013 Escena [Member] New Valley LLC [Member] hole residential_unit room acre
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Number of residential lots sold							200
Number of residential lots							867
Number of residential lots remaining							667
Number of holes in golf course							18
Area of land							7
Number of units in real estate property							450
Land and land improvements					$ 8,930	$ 8,930
Building and building improvements					1,530	1,530
Other					1,818	1,577
Total Investment in Escena before depreciation					12,278	12,037
Less accumulated depreciation					(1,513)	(1,412)
Investment in Escena, net					10,765	10,625
Operating income (loss)	$ 42,722	$ 43,096	$ 520	$ 383