CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 441,185	$ 439,297	$ 415,981
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,109,763	1,045,620	919,639
Amortization of deferred revenue and lease intangibles, net	(40,856)	(7,967)	(30,660)
Other non-cash amortization	20,719	22,985	18,886
Allowance on loans receivable and investments	24,238	0	0
Stock-based compensation	21,487	33,923	29,963
Straight-lining of rental income	103,082	(30,073)	13,396
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	10,791	41,900	58,254
Gain on real estate dispositions	(262,218)	(26,022)	(46,247)
Gain on real estate loan investments	(167)	0	(13,202)
Income tax benefit	(101,985)	(58,918)	(43,026)
(Income) loss from unconsolidated entities	(1,832)	2,464	55,034
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	4,920	1,600	2,934
Real estate impairments related to natural disasters	0	0	52,510
Other	(779)	13,264	3,720
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in other assets	(68,233)	(76,693)	(23,198)
Increase in accrued interest	276	9,737	4,992
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	189,785	26,666	(37,509)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,450,176	1,437,783	1,381,467
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net investment in real estate property	(78,648)	(958,125)	(265,907)
Investment in loans receivable	(115,163)	(1,258,187)	(229,534)
Proceeds from real estate disposals	1,044,357	147,855	353,792
Proceeds from loans receivable	119,011	1,017,309	911,540
Development project expenditures	(380,413)	(403,923)	(330,876)
Capital expenditures	(148,234)	(156,724)	(131,858)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	0	172	57,455
Investment in unconsolidated entities	(286,822)	(3,855)	(47,007)
Insurance proceeds for property damage claims	207	30,179	6,891
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	154,295	(1,585,299)	324,496
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facilities	(88,868)	(569,891)	321,463
Net change in borrowings under commercial paper program	(565,524)	565,524	0
Proceeds from debt	733,298	3,013,191	2,549,473
Repayment of debt	(479,539)	(2,623,916)	(3,465,579)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(8,239)	0	(4,724)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(8,379)	(21,403)	(20,612)
Issuance of common stock, net	55,362	942,085	0
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(928,809)	(1,157,720)	(1,127,143)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(7,283)	(9,218)	(7,459)
Cash issued for redemption of OP Units	(575)	(2,203)	(1,370)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	1,314	6,282	1,883
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(12,946)	(9,717)	(11,574)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	15,103	36,179	8,762
Other	(4,936)	(8,519)	(5,057)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,300,021)	160,674	(1,761,937)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	304,450	13,158	(55,974)
Effect of foreign currency translation	1,088	1,480	(815)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	146,102	131,464	188,253
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	451,640	146,102	131,464
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid including payments and receipts for derivative instruments	429,636	410,854	406,907
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed from acquisitions and other:
Real estate investments	170,484	1,057,138	94,280
Other assets	1,224	11,140	5,398
Debt	55,368	907,746	30,508
Other liabilities	2,707	47,121	18,086
Deferred income tax liability	337	95	922
Noncontrolling interests	20,259	113,316	2,591
Equity issued	0	0	30,487
Equity issued for redemption of OP Units	$ 0	$ 127	$ 907