Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)			31,346,084
Beginning balance			$ 181,597	$ 198,819
Share-based compensation			196
Issuance of common shares under 2014 Equity Plan			0
Contributions			87	390
Distributions			(2,673)	(10,046)
Net income	$ 7,004	$ 10,865	$ 13,192	20,680
Ending balance (shares)	31,368,992		31,368,992
Ending balance	$ 192,399	209,843	$ 192,399	209,843
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			9,739	9,709
Contributions			87	390
Distributions			(2,673)	(5,235)
Ending balance	12,539	10,785	12,539	10,785
Total Green Brick Partners, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			171,858	189,110
Share-based compensation			196
Distributions				(4,811)
Net income			7,806	14,759
Ending balance	$ 179,860	$ 199,058	$ 179,860	$ 199,058
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)			31,346,084	11,108,500
Beginning balance			$ 313	$ 111
Issuance of common shares under 2014 Equity Plan (shares)			22,908
Ending balance (shares)	31,368,992	11,108,500	31,368,992	11,108,500
Ending balance	$ 313	$ 111	$ 313	$ 111
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			101,626	155,985
Share-based compensation			196
Ending balance	101,822	155,985	101,822	155,985
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			69,919	33,014
Distributions				(4,811)
Ending balance	$ 77,725	$ 42,962	$ 77,725	$ 42,962