Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Textuals (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012	Jul. 23, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Performance Shares [Member] Chief Executive Officer [Member]	Jul. 23, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Performance Shares [Member] Chief Executive Officer [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Minimum [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Maximum [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 New Valley LLC [Member] Douglas Elliman Realty LLC [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Stock dividend paid to company stockholders						5.00%
Real estate revenue	$ 153,488	$ 7,106	$ 261,532	$ 12,873
Cost of real estate	97,763	6,015	165,087	10,236
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses	67,023	25,541	132,500	51,437
Goodwill													(454)
Total current liabilities	380,312		380,312		405,110								(105)
Intangible assets. net	8,755		8,755		11,919								559
Fair market value of embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs	191,554		191,554		112,062				189,358	110,758	193,797	113,392
Common stock granted							1,000,000
Period of recognition							7 years
Allocated share-based compensation expense								$ 20,660