Summary of discontinued operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Rental and other property revenues discontinued operations
Rental and other property revenues discontinued operations	$ 1,416	$ 7,945	$ 5,328	$ 27,405
Total revenue discontinued operations	1,416	7,945	5,328	27,405
Property operating expenses discontinued operations	326	3,729	2,201	12,238
Depreciation discontinued operations	155	1,251	664	4,300
General and administrative discontinued operations	65	254	378	788
Total operating expenses discontinued operations	546	5,234	3,243	17,326
Other income discontinued operations	(36)	5	(522)	35
Mortgage and loan interest discontinued operations	(351)	(1,598)	(1,431)	(6,622)
Deferred borrowing costs amortization discontinued operations	(6)	(17)	(336)	(1,032)
Loan charges and prepayment penalties discontinued operations				(3,245)
Earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees discontinued operations				20
Litigation settlement discontinued operations		(80)	(250)	(170)
Total other expenses discontinued operations	(393)	(1,690)	(2,539)	(11,014)
Loss from discontinued operations before gains on sale of real estate, taxes discontinued operations	477	1,021	(454)	(935)
Gain on sale of real estate from discontinued operations discontinued operations	1,770	127	14,826	24,392
Income tax (expense) discontinued operations	(786)	(402)	(5,030)	(8,210)
Income from from discontinued operations discontinued operations	$ 1,461	$ 746	$ 9,342	$ 15,247