Note 3 - Property Acquisitions, Developments and Other Investments (Details) - Acquisition of Operating Properties (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	$ 510,052	[1]	$ 367,752
Debt Assumed	702,550		279,123
Other	229,635		77,593
Total	1,442,237		724,468
GLA	7,104	[2]	4,057	[2]
North Valley [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	3,000	[1]
Total	3,000
GLA		[2]
LaSalle Properties [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	62,239	[1],[3]
Debt Assumed	23,269	[3]
Other	7,642	[3]
Total	93,150	[3]
GLA	316	[2],[3]
Harrisburg Land Parcel [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	2,550	[1]
Total	2,550
GLA		[2]
Crossroads Plaza [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	18,691	[1]
Debt Assumed	72,309
Total	91,000
GLA	489	[2]
Quail Corners [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	9,398	[1],[4]
Debt Assumed	17,409	[4]
Other	4,943	[4]
Total	31,750	[4]
GLA	110	[2],[4]
KIF 1 Portfolio [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	128,699	[1],[5]
Debt Assumed	157,010	[5]
Other	122,291	[5]
Total	408,000	[5]
GLA	1,589	[2],[5]
Fountains at Arbor Lakes [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	900	[1]
Total	900
GLA		[2]
Boston Portfolio [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	149,486	[1]
Debt Assumed	120,514
Total	270,000
GLA	1,426	[2]
Vinnin Square [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	2,550	[1]
Total	2,550
GLA	6	[2]
SEB Portfolio [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	69,261	[1],[6]
Debt Assumed	193,600	[6]
Other	12,911	[6]
Total	275,772	[6]
GLA	1,415	[2],[6]
Highlands Ranch Parcel [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	3,800	[1]
Total	3,800
GLA	10	[2]
BIG Portfolios [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash		[1],[7]
Debt Assumed	118,439	[7]
Other	76,511	[7]
Total	194,950	[7]
GLA	1,148	[2],[7]
Springfield S.C. [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	8,800	[1]
Total	8,800
GLA	210	[2]
North Quincy Plaza [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	20,470	[1],[8]
Debt Assumed		[8]
Other	2,530	[8]
Total	23,000	[8]
GLA	81	[2],[8]
Belmart Plaza [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	3,208	[1],[9]
Debt Assumed		[9]
Other	2,807	[9]
Total	6,015	[9]
GLA	77	[2],[9]
Braelinn Village [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash	27,000	[1]
Total	27,000
GLA	227	[2]
Santee Trolley Square [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			26,863	[10]
Debt Assumed			48,456	[10]
Other			22,681	[10]
Total			98,000	[10]
GLA			311	[10],[2]
Shops at Kildeer [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash				[11]
Debt Assumed			32,724	[11]
Other				[11]
Total			32,724	[11]
GLA			168	[11],[2]
Village Commons S.C. [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			7,100
Total			7,100
GLA			125	[2]
Putty Hill Plaza [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			4,592	[12]
Debt Assumed			9,115	[12]
Other			489	[12]
Total			14,196	[12]
GLA			91	[12],[2]
Columbia Crossing II S.C. [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			21,800
Total			21,800
GLA			101	[2]
Roseville Plaza [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			5,143
Total			5,143
GLA			80	[2]
Wilton River Park Shopping Ctr [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			777	[13]
Debt Assumed			36,000	[13]
Other			5,223	[13]
Total			42,000	[13]
GLA			187	[13],[2]
Canyon Square Plaza [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			1,950	[14]
Debt Assumed			13,800	[14]
Other				[14]
Total			15,750	[14]
GLA			97	[14],[2]
JTS Properties [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash				[15]
Debt Assumed			43,267	[15]
Other			11,733	[15]
Total			55,000	[15]
GLA			520	[15],[2]
Factoria Mall [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			37,283	[16]
Debt Assumed			56,000	[16]
Other			37,467	[16]
Total			130,750	[16]
GLA			510	[16],[2]
Outparcel [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			13,053
Total			13,053
GLA			97	[2]
Highlands Ranch II [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			14,600
Total			14,600
GLA			44	[2]
Elmsford [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			23,000
Total			23,000
GLA			143	[2]
Northridge Shopping Center [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			8,239
Debt Assumed			11,511
Total			19,750
GLA			146	[2]
Five Forks Crossing [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			9,825
Total			9,825
GLA			74	[2]
Greenwood [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			4,067
Total			4,067
GLA			30	[2]
Clark Portfolio [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			35,553
Total			35,553
GLA			189	[2]
Winn Dixie Portfolio 6 Properties [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			43,506
Total			43,506
GLA			392	[2]
Tomball SC [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			35,327
Total			35,327
GLA			149	[2]
Atascocita SC [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			38,250
Debt Assumed			28,250
Total			66,500
GLA			317	[2]
Lawrenceville Market [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash			36,824
Total			$ 36,824
GLA			286	[2]

[1] Includes 1031 sales proceeds of $126.8 million

[2] Gross leasable area ("GLA")

[3] The Company acquired three properties from a joint venture in which the Company had an 11% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized a gain of $3.7 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other.

[4] The Company acquired a 65.4% controlling ownership interest in this property and the seller retained a 34.6% noncontrolling interest in the property. The partner has the ability to put its partnership interest to the Company. As such, the Company has recorded the partners' share of the property's fair value of $4.9 million as Redeemable noncontrolling interests on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[5] The Company acquired from its partners the remaining ownership interest in a joint venture which holds 12 encumbered properties for which the Company had a 39.1% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as a result, recognized a gain of $65.6 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other. Subsequently, the Company repaid $128.4 million in debt encumbering ten of the properties. Additionally, during June 2014, the Company sold one of the properties to a third party, which approximated its carrying value.

[6] The Company acquired from its partner the remaining ownership interest in 10 properties that were held in a joint venture in which the Company has a 15% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as a result, recognized a gain of $14.4 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other.

[7] The Company and their joint venture partner BIG divided 15 of the 21 properties in the BIG Shopping Centers venture with the Company receiving a 99% ownership interest in seven operating properties and BIG receiving a 99% ownership interest in eight operating properties. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as a result, recognized a gain of $19.5 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other. Additionally, during December 2014, the Company sold one of the properties to a third party, which approximated its carrying value.

[8] The Company acquired from its partners the remaining ownership interest in this property that was held in a joint venture in which the Company had an 11% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as a result, recognized a gain of $2.2 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other.

[9] The Company increased its ownership interest to 74.8% in this property that was held in a joint venture in which the Company had a 21.5% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as a result, recognized a gain of $1.7 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other.

[10] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company had a 45% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized a gain of $22.7 million, before income tax, from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other.

[11] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company had a 19% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance. This transaction resulted in a change in control with no gain or loss recognized.

[12] The Company acquired the remaining 80% interest in an operating property from an unconsolidated joint venture in which the Company had a 20% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized a gain of $0.5 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other.

[13] The acquisition of this property included the issuance of $5.2 million of redeemable units, which are redeemable at the option of the holder after one year and earn a yield of 6% per annum, which is included in the purchase price above in Other. In connection with this transaction, the Company provided the sellers a $5.2 million loan at a rate of 6.5%, which is secured by the redeemable units.

[14] This property was acquired from a joint venture in which the Company has a 15% noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance. This transaction resulted in a change in control with no gain or loss recognized.

[15] The Company acquired the remaining interest in a portfolio of office properties from a preferred equity investment in which the Company held a noncontrolling interest. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as such recognized a change in control loss of $9.6 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other. The debt assumed in connection with this transaction of $43.3 million was repaid in April 2013 and the properties within the portfolio were later sold during October and November 2013.

[16] The Company acquired an additional 49% interest in this operating property from an unconsolidated joint venture in which the Company had a 50% noncontrolling interest. As such the Company now consolidates this investment. The Company evaluated this transaction pursuant to the FASB's Consolidation guidance and as a result, recognized a gain of $8.2 million from the fair value adjustment associated with the Company's original ownership due to a change in control, which is reflected in the purchase price above in Other.