Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flow From Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (46,603)	$ (67,098)	$ (79,573)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss applicable to common shares to net cash used in operating activities:
(Gain) loss on sale of land	(17,011)	15,155	(6,296)
Gain on sale of income producing properties	(18,300)	(10,781)	(3,524)
Depreciation and amortization	23,034	28,302	29,813
Provision on impairment of notes receivable and real estate assets	52,128	24,502	42,513
Amortization of deferred borrowing costs	2,365	2,613	3,698
Earnings due to non-controlling interest			4,040
Earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees	(695)	754	287
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accrued interest receivable	(4,050)	(1,869)	2,018
Other assets	(799)	8,971	(2,783)
Prepaid expense	2,083	551	(494)
Escrow	18,837	8,476	(3,222)
Earnest money	1,385	850	(1,723)
Rent receivables	(6,158)	(2,276)	(422)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accrued interest payable	8,743	1,764	(2,217)
Affiliate payables	(29,795)	(2,902)	(12,204)
Other liabilities	717	(14,210)	3,526
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	6,538	(7,198)	(26,563)
Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
Proceeds from notes receivables	16,924	3,967	8,000
Originations of notes receivables	(22,421)	(29,455)
Acquisition of land held for development	(43,193)	(4,937)	(11,844)
Acquisition of income producing properties	6,526
Proceeds from sales of income producing properties	123,105	206,143	34,647
Proceeds from sale of land	137,214	55,171	36,289
Proceeds from sale of investment in unconsolidated real estate entities	(9)
Proceeds from sale of investments	586
Investment in unconsolidated real estate entities	(319)	458	16,495
Improvement of land held for development	(1,562)	(4,834)	(10,115)
Improvement of income producing properties	(3,657)	(2,277)	(2,220)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest
Sale of controlling interest	4,019	22
Investment in marketable equity securities		(89)	2,775
Acquisition of income producing properties			(5,971)
Construction and development of new properties	(46,774)	(38,346)	(26,134)
Net cash provided by investing activities	149,782	185,823	41,922
Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from notes payable	117,441	182,849	55,508
Recurring amortization of principal on notes payable	(16,383)	(10,655)	(18,588)
Payments on maturing notes payable	(120,922)	(242,795)	(49,522)
Debt assumption by buyer	(126,589)	(97,772)
Deferred financing costs	(1,555)	(3,539)	(2,052)
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(46)
Common stock issuance	1,530
Net cash used in financing activities	(147,588)	(173,031)	(15,677)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,732	5,594	(318)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	11,259	5,665	5,983
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	19,991	11,259	5,665
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	56,641	61,439	67,995
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds		(48)	1,728
Schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
Affiliate payables release of obligation for cost basis adjustment	(34,234)
Sales proceeds increase for cost basis adjustment	34,234
Unrealized loss on marketable securities			(2,575)
Note receivable allowance		(1,937)
Notes receivable received from affiliate	20,387	28,554	2,341
Note paydown from right to build sale			1,500
Acquisition of real estate to satisfy note receivable			(7,748)
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
Preferred stock dividends	(210)	(210)	(210)
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
Preferred stock dividends	$ (900)	$ (863)	$ (813)