CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013 Archstone Enterprise LP
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities
Stock issued in connection with stock grants (in shares)	113,822	123,977
Number of shares of common stock issued as partial consideration for acquisition			14,889,706
Value of shares of common stock issued as partial consideration for acquisition			$ 1,875,210,000
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests associated with business acquisition			13,262,000
Assumed principal amount of indebtedness			3,512,202,000
Obligation related to outstanding preferred interests			67,500,000
Stock issued in connection with stock grants, value		16,019,000
Common stock issued through the dividend reinvestment plan (in shares)	1,286	1,030
Common stock issued through the dividend reinvestment plan	165,000	140,000
Number of shares withheld to satisfy employees' tax withholding and other liabilities	50,105	44,222
Shares withheld to satisfy employees' tax withholding and other liabilities, value	4,689,000	5,638,000
Dividends declared but not paid	152,113,000	138,456,000
(Decrease) increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests	(626,000)	329,000
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings	3,011,000	2,965,000
Noncontrolling interests derecognition	(17,816,000)
Number of shares forfeited		5,214
Shares cancelled upon forfeiture	1,284,000	516,000
Number of options granted for common stock		215,230
Options granted for common stock, value		5,768,000
Decrease in interest expense, net		2,484,000
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to interest expense, net		$ 2,965,000