EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, including real estate dispositions	$ 120,865	$ 118,016
Discontinued operations	(423)	3,031
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 120,442	$ 121,047
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	325,454	293,875
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options (in shares)	531	394
Restricted stock awards (in shares)	70	47
OP units (in shares)	3,148	1,929
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	329,203	296,245
Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, including real estate dispositions	$ 0.37	$ 0.40
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.37us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.41us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, including real estate dispositions	$ 0.37	$ 0.40
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.37us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.41us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

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