Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 67,574	$ 49,676	$ 65,843	$ 63,009	$ 55,699	$ 67,156	$ 46,711	$ 32,760
Gross profits	15,300	15,024	16,483	15,848	15,860	20,847	12,368	9,122
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc.	$ 31,573	$ 3,694	$ 7,410	$ 7,349	$ 8,848	$ 9,513	$ 7,615	$ 6,031	$ 50,026	$ 32,007	$ 17,194
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.67	$ 0.66	$ 0.79	$ 0.86	$ 0.69	$ 0.54	$ 3.40	$ 2.88	$ 1.55
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.67	$ 0.66	$ 0.79	$ 0.86	$ 0.69	$ 0.54	$ 3.40	$ 2.88	$ 1.55