Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity of Equity One, Inc. [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
BALANCE (beginning of period) at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,625,202	$ 1,126	$ 1,587,874	$ (170,530)	$ (1,154)	$ 1,417,316	$ 207,886
BALANCE, shares (beginning of period) at Dec. 31, 2011	112,599	112,599
Issuance of common stock, net of withholding taxes	86,490	42	86,448			86,490
Issuance of common stock, net of withholding taxes (in shares)		4,220
Stock issuance costs	(813)		(813)			(813)
Share-based compensation expense	5,406		5,406			5,406
Restricted stock reclassified from liability to equity	101		101			101
Net income	36,858			29,315		29,315	7,543
Dividends paid on common stock	(76,109)			(76,109)		(76,109)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,496)						(7,496)
Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest	115		115			115
Other comprehensive loss	(7,335)				(7,335)	(7,335)
BALANCE, (end of period) at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 1,662,419	$ 1,168	$ 1,679,131	$ (217,324)	$ (8,489)	$ 1,454,486	$ 207,933
BALANCE, shares (end of period) at Sep. 30, 2012	116,819	116,819