Note 24 - Income Taxes (Detail) - GAAP Net Income/(Loss) to Taxable Income Reconciliation (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net Income	$ 46,398	$ 54,981	$ 38,709	$ 28,963	$ 37,088	$ 30,333	$ 24,611	$ 50,836	$ 169,051	$ 142,868	$ (3,942)
Net book depreciation in excess of tax depreciation									30,441	13,568	25,145
Deferred/prepaid/above and below market rents, net									(18,648)	(19,978)	(21,863)
Book/tax differences from non-qualified stock options									9,296	9,103	11,128
Book/tax differences from investments in real estate joint ventures									56,764	69,581	47,550
Book/tax difference on sale of property									12,315	(39,139)	(18,666)
Book adjustment to property carrying values and marketable equity securities									8,200	19,065	107,468
Taxable currency exchange gains, net									27,629	13,134	4,113
Book/tax differences on capitalized costs									(7,483)	(12,782)	(6,030)
Other book/tax differences, net									2,195	(730)	6,869
Adjusted REIT taxable income									263,309	203,276	214,016
GAAP net loss/(income) of taxable REIT subsidiaries [Member]
Net Income									(19,572)	13,920	67,844
GAAP net income from REIT operations [Member]
Net Income									149,479	156,788	63,902
Other [Member]
Other book/tax differences, net									$ (4,684)	$ (6,064)	$ 1,269