Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 227,419	$ 214,849
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	111,293	109,065
Amortization of deferred financing costs	4,946	6,006
Non-cash interest expense related to amortization of discount on equity component of exchangeable senior notes	2,442	2,347
Non-cash lease expense	430	0
Compensation expense related to stock-based awards	7,864	6,952
Gain on real estate transactions	0	(1,205)
Distributions from unconsolidated real estate ventures in excess of earnings	4,254	3,334
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other assets	(10,185)	1,890
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	19,963	21,632
Other liabilities	23,647	(1,463)
Net cash provided by operating activities	392,073	363,407
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of real estate assets	(45,246)	(248,808)
Development and redevelopment of real estate assets	(29,991)	(20,891)
Proceeds from sale of real estate assets	0	11,254
Investment in unconsolidated real estate entities	(9,541)	(31,344)
Return of investment in unconsolidated real estate ventures	0	3,982
Issuance of notes receivable	(24,325)	(152,599)
Purchase of equipment and fixtures	(2,765)	(2,023)
Net cash used in investing activities	(111,868)	(440,429)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of common stock, net of offering costs	0	98,796
Proceeds from notes payable and revolving lines of credit	594,000	757,000
Principal payments on notes payable and revolving lines of credit	(566,689)	(524,370)
Principal payments on notes payable to trusts	0	(30,928)
Deferred financing costs	(12)	(587)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,670	2,227
Repurchase of common stock	(67,819)	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	68	50
Dividends paid on common stock	(233,515)	(225,095)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(16,890)	(17,117)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(289,187)	59,976
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(8,982)	(17,046)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of the period	70,733	72,690
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of the period	61,751	55,644
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information
Interest paid	81,950	88,455
Income taxes paid	1,792	4,095
Redemption of Operating Partnership units held by noncontrolling interests for common stock
Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(4,005)	(8,133)
Common stock and paid-in capital	4,005	8,133
Establishment of operating lease right of use assets and lease liabilities
Real estate assets - operating lease right-of-use assets	6,779	225,017
Operating lease liabilities	(6,779)	(234,374)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	0	9,357
Acquisitions of real estate assets
Real estate assets, net	0	19,937
Notes payable assumed	0	(17,157)
Investment in unconsolidated real estate ventures	0	(2,780)
Accrued construction costs and capital expenditures
Acquisition of real estate assets	912	1,368
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(912)	(1,368)
Redemption of Preferred Operating Partnership units for common stock
Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(2,724)	0
Common stock and paid-in capital	2,724	0
Establishment of finance lease assets and lease liabilities
Real estate assets, net	8,514	0
Other liabilities	(8,514)	0
Preferred Operating Partnership Units [Abstract]
Conversion Of Preferred Operating Units To Common Units	0	(4,374)
Contribution of Preferred OP Units to unconsolidated real estate venture
Contribution of Preferred OP Units to unconsolidated real estate venture
Investments in unconsolidated real estate ventures	0	(28,022)
Value of Preferred Operating Partnership units issued	$ 0	$ 28,022