Real Estate Entities and Investments in Affiliates Real Estate Entities and Investments in Affiliates (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Real Estate Entities and Investments in Affiliates [Abstract]
Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]	All of the assets of these real estate entities in which we are a participant through our GLC subsidiary are classified as real estate held for development and sale and are pledged as collateral for the associated debt. All outstanding debt of these entities is non-recourse to Granite. However, there is recourse to our real estate affiliates that incurred the debt (i.e., the limited partnership or limited liability company of which we are a limited partner or member).
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Generally, each construction joint venture is formed to complete a specific contract and is jointly controlled by the venture partners. The associated agreements typically provide that our interests in any profits and assets, and our respective share in any losses and liabilities resulting from the performance of the contracts, are limited to our stated percentage interest in the venture. Under our contractual arrangements, we provide capital to these joint ventures in return for an ownership interest. In addition, partners dedicate resources to the ventures necessary to complete the contracts and are reimbursed for their cost. The operational risks of each construction joint venture are passed along to the joint venture partners. As we absorb our share of these risks, our investment in each venture is exposed to potential losses. We have determined that certain of these joint ventures are consolidated because they are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and we are the primary beneficiary, or because they are not VIEs and we hold the majority voting interest. We continually evaluate whether there are changes in the status of the VIEs or changes to the primary beneficiary designation of the VIE. The operations of our Real Estate segment are conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Granite Land Company (“GLC”). Generally, GLC participates with third-party partners in entities that are formed to accomplish specific real estate development projects. We have determined that certain of these entities are consolidated because they are VIEs and we are the primary beneficiary. We continually evaluate whether there are changes in the status of the VIEs or changes to the primary beneficiary designation of the VIE.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	To determine if impairment charges should be recognized, the carrying amount of each real estate development project is reviewed on a quarterly basis.

Disclosure of accounting policy for consolidation to describe the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest held by the entity requires the variable interest entity to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the variable interest entity; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; and the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities that significantly impact the economic performance of the variable interest entity are shared (as defined).

+ References+ Details