Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Total Green Brick Partners, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 62,079	$ 111	$ 57,199	$ 4,319	$ 61,629	$ 450
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		11,108,500
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Contributions	42,715		41,500	0	41,500	1,215
Distributions	(3,818)		0	(1,028)	(1,028)	(2,790)
Net income	20,712			17,194	17,194	3,518
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	121,688	111	98,699	20,485	119,295	2,393
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		11,108,500
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Contributions	59,042		57,286	0	57,286	1,756
Distributions	(26,227)		0	(19,478)	(19,478)	(6,749)
Net income	44,316			32,007	32,007	12,309
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	198,819	111	155,985	33,014	189,110	9,709
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	11,108,500	11,108,500
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Share-based compensation	40		40		40
Common stock issued in private and public offering (in shares)	14,000,000
Common stock issued in private and public offering	70,000	140	69,860		70,000
Issuance of common stock for reverse recapitalization (in shares)		6,237,584
Issuance of common stock for reverse recapitalization	(124,197)	62	(124,259)	0	(124,197)	0
Contributions	787		0	0	0	787
Distributions	(24,914)		0	(13,121)	(13,121)	(11,793)
Net income	61,062			50,026	50,026	11,036
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 181,597	$ 313	$ 101,626	$ 69,919	$ 171,858	$ 9,739
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	31,346,084	31,346,084