Note 16 - Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments (Detail) - Financial Instruments: Estimate of Fair Value Differs From Carrying Amounts (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Marketable Securities (1)	$ 36,541		$ 33,540
Marketable Securities (1)	36,825	[1]	33,908
Notes Payable (2)	3,192,127		2,983,886
Notes Payable (2)	3,408,632	[2]	3,136,728	[2]
Mortgages Payable (3)	1,003,190		1,085,371
Mortgages Payable (3)	1,068,616	[3]	1,166,116	[3]
Construction Loans Payable (3)			45,128
Construction Loans Payable (3)			49,345	[3]
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (termination dates ranging from 2019 – 2027) (4)	81,076		95,074		95,060
Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (termination dates ranging from 2019 – 2027) (4)			2,654	[4]
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (termination dates ranging from 2019 – 2027) (4)			$ 5,044	[4]

[1] As of December 31, 2012, $33.4 million of these assets' estimated fair value were classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and the remaining $3.4 million were classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

[2] The Company determined that its valuation of these Notes payable was classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

[3] The Company determined that its valuation of these liabilities was classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

[4] The Company sold its investment in the consolidated joint ventures that included mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests during 2012.