New Valley LLC Investment in Escena (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Escena [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Escena [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Escena [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Escena [Member]	Jun. 30, 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 acre room
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									1,830	1,530
Other									1,526	1,577
Total Investment in Escena before depreciation									12,286	12,037
Less accumulated depreciation									(1,617)	(1,412)
Investment in Escena, net									10,669	10,625
Operating income (loss)	$ 60,308	$ 44,240	$ 103,030	$ 87,336	$ (287)	$ (307)	$ 233	$ 76