CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 61,199	$ (70,310)	$ 113,565
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flow provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	389,519	402,045	419,079
Stock-based compensation	7,765	7,895	9,962
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges and fair market value of debt adjustments	2,147	(5,315)	(6,488)
Accretion of convertible debt discount	0	9,953	11,377
Equity in net (income) loss of joint ventures	(15,699)	3,135	(10,989)
Impairment of joint venture investments	0	1,909	30,652
Net loss (gain) on sale and change in control of interests	1,087	(7,772)	(87,996)
Operating cash distributions from joint ventures	8,210	8,382	10,749
Realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities	0	0	(1,416)
Gain on disposition of real estate	(73,386)	(167,571)	(99,069)
Impairment charges and loan loss reserve	110,906	279,021	38,552
Change in notes receivable accrued interest	(9,487)	(8,048)	(8,259)
Change in restricted cash	2,241	1,111	7,060
Net change in accounts receivable	1,410	(3,107)	(2,357)
Net change in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(9,775)	174	14,630
Net change in other operating assets and liabilities	(13,222)	(16,915)	(18,770)
Total adjustments	401,716	504,897	306,717
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	462,915	434,587	420,282
Cash flow from investing activities:
Real estate acquired, net of liabilities and cash assumed	(145,975)	(176,020)	(330,929)
Real estate developed and improvements to operating real estate	(162,926)	(305,725)	(260,897)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate and joint venture interests	758,064	488,229	977,189
Equity contributions to joint ventures	(6,849)	(6,142)	(21,754)
Issuance (repayment) of joint venture advances, net	10,000	(82,634)	(258,248)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	26,793	18,123	25,693
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities	0	0	3,216
Issuance of notes receivable	(11,139)	0	0
Repayment of notes receivable	5,065	9,521	1,436
Change in restricted cash	(943)	160	17,490
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities	472,090	(54,488)	153,196
Cash flow from financing activities:
(Repayment of) proceeds from revolving credit facilities, net	(210,000)	182,371	2,110
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of underwriting commissions and offering expenses	0	884,786	0
Repayment of senior notes	(240,000)	(502,996)	0
Proceeds from mortgages and other secured debt	0	400,000	151,302
Repayment of term loans and mortgage debt	(195,495)	(1,068,924)	(497,238)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(43)	(4,605)	(1,046)
Redemption of preferred shares	0	0	(55,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of underwriting commissions and offering expenses	0	0	11,635
Issuance (repurchase) of common shares in conjunction with equity award plans and dividend reinvestment plan	13,536	2,325	(494)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	0	0	93
Distributions to non-controlling interests and redeemable operating partnership units	(1,085)	(6,452)	(9,446)
Dividends paid	(293,905)	(265,277)	(240,551)
Net cash flow used for financing activities	(926,992)	(378,772)	(638,635)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,013	1,327	(65,157)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1	152	(570)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	22,416	20,937	86,664
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 30,430	$ 22,416	$ 20,937