CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues (including $144, $839 and $708 for the year ended 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from related parties)	$ 120,956	$ 126,221	$ 119,663
Expenses:
Property operating expenses (including $254, $959 and $900 for the year ended 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from related parties)	59,587	64,091	62,950
Depreciation and amortization	22,670	25,679	23,785
General and administrative (including $1,267, $3,225 and $4,053 for the year ended 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from related parties)	12,708	7,691	7,119
Net income fee to related party	631	250	257
Advisory fee to related party	11,475	11,082	10,918
Total operating expenses	107,071	108,793	105,029
Net operating income	13,885	17,428	14,634
Other income (expenses):
Interest income (including $5,406, $16,298 and $18,864 for the year ended 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from related parties)	21,645	18,941	20,453
Other income	28,993	4,082	2,091
Mortgage and loan interest (including $2,240, $6,695 and $5,300 for the year ended 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from related parties)	(66,063)	(66,171)	(59,362)
Loss on the sale of investments		(331)
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	12,399	(4,536)
Equity earnings from VAA	44
Earnings (losses) from other unconsolidated investees	1,469	309	493
Total other (expenses)	(1,513)	(47,706)	(36,325)
Income (loss) before gain on formation of joint venture, gain on land sales, non-controlling interest, and taxes	12,372	(30,278)	(21,691)
Gain on disposition of 50% interest in VAA	154,126
Gain on sale of income-producing properties		16,698	16,207
Gain on land sales	17,404	4,884	3,121
Net income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	183,902	(8,696)	(2,363)
Income tax expense	(1,210)	(180)	(46)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	182,692	(8,876)	(2,409)
Discontinued operations:
Net loss from discontinued operations			(2)
Income tax expense from discontinued operations			1
Net income from discontinued operations			(1)
Net income (loss)	182,692	(8,876)	(2,410)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(8,993)	445	(322)
Net income (loss) attributable to American Realty Investors, Inc.	173,699	(8,431)	(2,732)
Preferred dividend requirement	(901)	(1,105)	(1,101)
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$ 172,798	$ (9,536)	$ (3,833)
Earnings per share - basic
Net loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 10.81	$ (0.61)	$ (0.25)
Earnings per share - diluted
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 10.81	$ (0.61)	$ (0.25)
Weighted average common shares used in computing earnings per share (in shares)	15,982,528	15,514,360	15,514,360
Weighted average common shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (in shares)	15,982,528	15,514,360	15,514,360
Amounts attributable to American Realty Investors, Inc.
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 173,699	$ (8,431)	$ (2,731)
Net loss from discontinued operations			(1)
Net income (loss) applicable to American Realty Investors, Inc.	$ 173,699	$ (8,431)	$ (2,732)