Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Investment in unconsolidated JVs and Long-lived assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
Impairment loss on investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 0	$ 0

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of unconsolidated joint ventures to fair value.

No definition available.

Name:	joe_ImpairmentOfUnconsolidatedJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	joe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration