Results of operations from unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees (dollars in thousands) (Details) (USD $)	Unconsolidated subsidiaries	Other Investees	Total subsidiaries and Investees
Balance of results of operations at Dec. 31, 2009
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation 2010	$ 203,367	$ 74,573	$ 277,940
Notes Receivable 2010	24,868		24,868
Other assets 2010	184,735	5,333	190,068
Notes payable 2010	(232,952)	(48,258)	(281,210)
Other liabilities 2010	(119,425)	(2,815)	(122,240)
Shareholders equity/partners' capital 2010	(60,593)	(28,833)	(89,426)
Rents and interest and other income 2010	8,307	6,428	14,735
Depreciation 2010	(252)	(3,089)	(3,341)
Operating expenses 2010	(39,457)	(3,858)	(43,315)
Gain on land sales 2010	5,286		5,286
Interest expense 2010	(11,008)	(3,271)	(14,279)
Loss from continuing operations 2010	(37,124)	(3,790)	(40,914)
Loss from discontinued operations 2010	(3,690)		(3,690)
Net loss 2010	(40,814)	(3,790)	(44,604)
Company's proportionate share of loss 2010	(1,010)	(190)	(1,200)
Balance of results of operations, at Dec. 31, 2010	0
Balance of results of operations at Dec. 31, 2010
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation 2011	60,703	71,987	132,690
Notes Receivable 2011	27,447		27,447
Other assets 2011	138,927	4,441	143,368
Notes payable 2011	(59,744)	(47,091)	(106,835)
Other liabilities 2011	(88,647)	(2,849)	(91,496)
Shareholders equity/partners' capital 2011	(78,686)	(26,488)	(105,174)
Rents and interest and other income 2011	8,021	7,096	15,117
Depreciation 2011	56	(3,133)	(3,077)
Operating expenses 2011	(8,196)	(3,999)	(12,195)
Gain on land sales 2011	23,646		23,646
Interest expense 2011	(7,562)	(2,307)	(9,869)
Income (loss) from continuing operations 2011	15,965	(2,343)	13,622
Income from discontinued operations 2011	9,864		9,864
Net income (loss) 2011	25,829	(2,343)	23,486
Company's proportionate share of earnings (loss) 2011	530	(117)	413
Balance of results of operations. at Dec. 31, 2011	0
Balance of results of operations at Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation 2012	45,860		45,860
Notes Receivable2012	44,371		44,371
Other assets 2012	130,420		130,420
Notes payable 2012	(61,720)		(61,720)
Other liabilities 2012	(53,207)		(53,207)
Shareholders equity/partners' capital 2012	(74,895)		(74,895)
Rents and interest and other income 2012	8,198		8,198
Depreciation 2012	(263)		(263)
Operating expenses 2012	(4,013)		(4,013)
Loss on land sales 2012	(1,869)		(1,869)
Interest expense 2012	(4,284)		(4,284)
Loss from continuing operations 2012	(2,231)		(2,231)
Income from discontinued operations 2012	2,691		2,691
Net loss 2012	460		460
Company's proportionate share of loss 2012	9		9
Balance of results of operations at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 0