Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reconciliation of NOI to net income
Net income	$ 238,199	$ 356,329	$ 639,174	$ 791,525
Indirect operating expenses, net of corporate income	15,752	14,946	48,472	46,960
Investments and investment management expense	1,501	1,205	4,277	3,545
Expensed acquisition, development and other pursuit costs, net of recoveries	789	3,804	2,087	8,702
Interest expense, net	47,741	47,871	147,138	137,862
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	0	0	24,162	2,461
General and administrative expense	11,655	11,928	38,808	35,343
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated real estate entities	(52,568)	342	(70,386)	(54,779)
Depreciation expense	144,990	131,729	427,050	391,414
Income tax expense	24	22	102	95
Casualty and impairment loss (gain), net	0	0	11,688	(3,935)
Gain on sale of real estate	(27,618)	(212,941)	(160,000)	(295,503)
Net operating income from real estate assets sold or held for sale	(1,874)	(10,039)	(9,633)	(33,175)
Net operating income	$ 378,591	$ 345,196	$ 1,102,939	$ 1,030,515