INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTEES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Financial Position
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation		$ 899,848		$ 899,848		$ 844,019
Other assets		44,333		44,333		41,645
Notes payable		(817,268)		(817,268)		(772,636)
Shareholders' equity		(202,647)		(202,647)		$ (206,748)
Results of Operations
Rents and interest and other income		29,776	$ 27,539	89,200	$ 73,599
Depreciation		(6,014)	(6,555)	(17,665)	(16,305)
Operating expenses		25,429	24,613	75,003	63,186
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			31	2	199
Net income (loss)		(4,432)	(6,506)	(3,239)	(6,275)
Company's proportionate share of income (loss)			(4)	(2)	39
American Realty Investors, Inc. [Member]
Financial Position
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation		14,550	14,255	14,550	14,255
Notes receivable		46,371	49,614	46,371	49,614
Other assets		126,848	127,300	126,848	127,300
Notes payable		(10,426)	(27,315)	(10,426)	(27,315)
Other liabilities		(111,789)	(94,479)	(111,789)	(94,479)
Shareholders' equity		$ (65,554)	$ (69,375)	(65,554)	(69,375)
Results of Operations
Rents and interest and other income				5,586	10,121
Depreciation				(113)	(159)
Operating expenses				(2,897)	(3,727)
Gain on land sales					2,737
Interest expense				(4,725)	(4,502)
Income (loss) from continuing operations				(2,149)	4,470
Income (loss) from discontinued operations					1
Net income (loss)				(2,149)	4,471
Company's proportionate share of income (loss)	[1]			$ (19)	$ 40

[1] Income (loss) represents continued and discontinued operations