CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income (loss)	$ (6,711)	$ (6,727)	$ (106,195)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss applicable to common shares to net cash used in operating activities:
Gain on sale of land.	(5,475)	(34,247)	10,103
Gain on sale of income-producing properties.	(8,885)	(56,907)	(19,306)
Depreciation and amortization	22,563	24,255	30,460
Provision for impairment of notes receivable and real estate assets	4,730	50,027	61,311
Amortization of deferred borrowing costs	2,478	2,816	4,187
Earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries and investees.	(372)	(79)	(200)
Gain on foreign currency translation.	0	0	(222)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accrued interest receivable	(6,117)	(8,663)	(2,440)
Other assets	(2,112)	181	6,375
Prepaid expense	(351)	2,321	437
Escrow	2,216	21,594	7,990
Earnest money	235	1,414	821
Rent receivables	(286)	7,253	(2,250)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accrued interest payable	(8,467)	2,202	6,758
Affiliate payables	623	(1,924)	(8,355)
Other liabilities	(17,180)	20,039	3,387
Net cash used in operating activities	(23,111)	23,555	(7,139)
Cash Flow From Investing Activities:
Proceeds from notes receivables	16,055	18,621	20,847
Origination of notes receivable	(10,189)	(21,921)	(29,455)
Acquisition of land held for development	(8,503)	0	(4,937)
Proceeds from sales of income-producing properties	42,874	38,883	119,733
Proceeds from sale of land	39,766	21,698	48,381
Proceeds from sale of investments	132	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated real estate entities	2,654	581	858
Improvement of land held for development	(184)	(2,995)	(4,929)
Improvement of income-producing properties	(2,507)	(4,191)	(3,136)
Investment in marketable securities	0	0	(1,267)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest	(355)	(195)	0
Sale of non-controlling interest	(1,468)	0	22
Sale of controlling interest	1,339	961	0
Construction and development of new properties	(5,790)	(47,317)	(49,894)
Net cash provided by investing activities	73,824	4,125	96,223
Cash Flow From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from notes payable	143,449	156,821	193,499
Recurring amortization of principal on notes payable	(23,022)	(19,052)	(12,629)
Payments on maturing notes payable	(167,771)	(155,893)	(252,595)
Deferred financing costs	(3,750)	(887)	(5,143)
Stock-secured borrowings	0	2,291	(328)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(338)	(808)	(1,259)
Preferred stock dividends - Series A	(2,452)	(2,456)	(2,488)
Repurchase/sale of treasury stock	0	(62)	(379)
Issuance of common stock	0	30	0
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock	0	1	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(53,884)	(20,015)	(81,322)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(3,171)	7,665	7,762
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	20,312	12,649	4,887
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	17,141	20,312	12,649
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	48,606	62,609	75,994
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	0	0	(634)
Schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
Note receivable in exchange for reduction of affiliate payable	0	0	16,778
Note receivable received from affiliate	$ 9,279	$ 20,387	$ 0