INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTEES (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 1,053,452		$ 1,053,452		$ 979,870
Other assets	60,223		60,223		60,907
Notes payable	(314,198)		(314,198)		(892,149)
Shareholders' equity	(217,714)		(217,714)		$ (189,170)
Rents and interest and other income	33,505	$ 31,491	96,194	$ 94,328
Depreciation	(6,891)	(6,326)	(19,859)	(19,008)
Operating expenses	(27,734)	(25,725)	(80,594)	(77,524)
Net income (loss)	23,118	7,170	30,389	(8,091)
Company's proportionate share of net income/(loss)	(4)	7	(2)	(11)
American Realty Investors, Inc. [Member]
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation	549	14,411	549	14,411
Notes receivable	41,782	39,857	41,782	39,857
Other assets	64,352	54,703	64,352	54,703
Notes payable	(6,043)	(6,618)	(6,043)	(6,618)
Other liabilities	(30,745)	(37,184)	(30,745)	(37,184)
Shareholders' equity	$ (69,894)	$ (65,169)	(69,894)	(65,169)
Rents and interest and other income			5,222	4,655
Depreciation			0	(142)
Operating expenses			(1,941)	(2,607)
Gain on land sales				1,360
Interest expense			(5,231)	(4,641)
Net income (loss)			(1,950)	(1,375)
Company's proportionate share of net income/(loss)			$ (18)	$ (12)